Because we don’t yet know what triggers someone genetically predisposed to celiac disease to actually manifest the disease, I’m fascinated with any study that tries to isolate the different potential variables involved. A study conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and published in the Journal of Pediatrics suggests that children born in the
In an earlier post I discussed research indicating that multiple infant infections increase the risk of celiac disease. In short, the more infections an infant has, the greater its risk for developing celiac disease. At the time I suggested this may be a result of the antibiotics administered to treat the infections, because antibiotics change
This video features pediatric dietician Lara Field, from the University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center. She discusses why it is important to council families together, and who else should be informed of special dietary needs. She also discusses gluten-free menus, eating gluten-free at college dining halls, choosing healthy food options and carefully reading labels.
This video features GI specialist and celiac disease expert Dr. Fasano. He discusses the role genetics plays in celiac disease as well as other autoimmune diseases. He talks about why so many symptoms can occur, why diagnosis is sometimes delayed and he goes into specifics about celiac disease in children. He also explains why celiac disease is different than a food allergy.
More and more children are being tested and diagnosed with some type of gluten intolerance or wheat allergy. While the problem seems to be growing, or at least the diagnosis is improving, there is a difference between a gluten allergy and celiac disease. Understanding the difference will help you and your pediatrician better help your child if he or she is suffering from symptoms of gluten intolerance.
Persevering a condition where the symptoms are triggered by a staple of the western diet is difficult for people of any age, but identifying and diagnosing celiac disease symptoms in children can be particularly difficult and troubling. While I’ve tried to place each of these in the most appropriate age group, the truth is all of these symptoms can occur at any age. For that reason, here is a more conclusive list.
Sadly, many parents are not even aware that their child has gluten intolerance until the symptoms become more noticeable and severe. If gluten intolerance in children isn’t treated, it can turn serious and cause more stressful symptoms during adolescence and into adulthood. The symptoms are not always easy to diagnose so it is important to be vigilant and watch for all of these symptoms.
