|
Celiac Symptoms
Children can exhibit the same symptoms of celiac disease as adults. As in
adults, children can have any one or combination of the symptoms listed
below. Currently, we do not have definitive answers as to why some people
have no symptoms and why the symptoms vary for those that do have
symptoms. There is even recent support that says every adult onset of
celiac had it by the time they were seven. Thus, there is still more to learn
on the root causes and manifestations of celiac disease.
Children can exhibit the same symptoms of celiac disease as adults. As in
adults, children can have any one or combination of the symptoms listed
below. Currently, we do not have definitive answers as to why some people
have no symptoms and why the symptoms vary for those that do have
symptoms. There is even recent support that says every adult onset of
celiac had it by the time they were seven. Thus, there is still more to learn
on the root causes and manifestations of celiac disease.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Symptoms |
- Abdominal Pain
- Anemia
- Bloating or Excessive Gas
- Delayed Puberty
- Diarrhea, Runny Stool or
even Constipation - Fatigue or Weakness
- Infertility
- Migraines or Extreme Headaches
- Mouth Sores or Ulcers
- Muscle Cramps
- Osteoporosis (undiagnosed celiac
can cause bone loss) - Vomiting
- Weight Loss or Failure to Gain
Weight
 |
| |
 |
Typical Symptoms in Children
Although children can display any of the above symptoms, the following are
very typical in a child with celiac disease.
Although children can display any of the above symptoms, the following are
very typical in a child with celiac disease.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Crankiness
- Failure to Grow
- Inability to Concentrate
Dr. Peter Green's Book
Celiac Disease: A Hidden
Epidemic {click on book}
Celiac Disease: A Hidden
Epidemic {click on book}
Celiac Tests
If your child has any of the above symptoms, request your doctor to
test for celiac disease. The following panel of blood tests should be
requested. It is important to request these blood tests because they
are the most sensitive and specific to detect gluten antibodies. There
are other blood tests that are not as specific and could result in an
inaccurate diagnosis.
If your child has any of the above symptoms, request your doctor to
test for celiac disease. The following panel of blood tests should be
requested. It is important to request these blood tests because they
are the most sensitive and specific to detect gluten antibodies. There
are other blood tests that are not as specific and could result in an
inaccurate diagnosis.
- IgA endomysial antibodies (EMA)
- IgA tissue transglutaminase (tTG)
- Total IgA antibodies
- IgG tissue transglutaminase
If the blood tests are positive then an biopsy of the small intestine
will be done. This is to see if there is any damage to the villi. In
undiagnosed and untreated celiac disease, the villi get destroyed. The
destruction of the villi is believed to cause the symptoms noted above.
Villi line the intestinal wall and absorb the nutrients of the foods we
eat. As you can image, extremely vital for life. Remember we eat to
live - not live to eat!
will be done. This is to see if there is any damage to the villi. In
undiagnosed and untreated celiac disease, the villi get destroyed. The
destruction of the villi is believed to cause the symptoms noted above.
Villi line the intestinal wall and absorb the nutrients of the foods we
eat. As you can image, extremely vital for life. Remember we eat to
live - not live to eat!
Medical Treatment
Once you or your child is diagnosed with celiac, there is good news! You
go on a gluten-free diet and most of us (except a very small percentage)
will completely heal. Children are known to heal faster than adults. The
symptoms will go away and the villi will grow back and become absorbent.
The time of healing and symptom reversal differs with each individual
and will depend on the length of time you or child went undiagnosed (i.e.,
how much damage has been done to the intestine).
The Gluten-Free Diet: the primary grains that need to be completely
eliminated from the diet are wheat - rye - barley and some oats. This
may sound simple but it is not! These grains are used in so many
preservatives, additives, sauces, processed foods, etc. You really need
to research everything before allowing your child to eat the food item.
Items marked "gluten-free" mean the food item does not contain any of
these bad grains; however, care still needs to be taken to ensure there
is no cross contamination. You can read more within this web-site by
following the link to the CCC Home Page and then clicking on the
various applicable links. Also, for a small fee you may want to consult a
dietitian. Contact Pat Fogarty, our Registered Charlotte Celiac
Dietitian at: << send email >>
Follow-Up Testing: after six months on a gluten-free diet, you will
need to get your child another blood test. If you have been very
careful, you should see a decrease in the antibodies. The blood tests
should be negative or at least significantly improved. If the results are
not negative and there has not been much improvement in the count,
then you must re-examine your food behaviors. Very minor
contaminations are not believed to elevate antibodies. I personally
would suggest you get your child's diet back to as pure food as possible
(plain meat, chicken, poultry, fruits, vegetables, etc.), adding only foods
labeled "gluten-free". Eliminate all at risk foods for six months and
then get a new blood test and compare the results. Cooking like in the
1800's is not fun but it is important to give your little one every
advantage, especially since their immunity system has been fighting
them. They need to rest their immunity system, heal, grow, play, learn
and have every advantage just like every other healthy child!
Once you or your child is diagnosed with celiac, there is good news! You
go on a gluten-free diet and most of us (except a very small percentage)
will completely heal. Children are known to heal faster than adults. The
symptoms will go away and the villi will grow back and become absorbent.
The time of healing and symptom reversal differs with each individual
and will depend on the length of time you or child went undiagnosed (i.e.,
how much damage has been done to the intestine).
The Gluten-Free Diet: the primary grains that need to be completely
eliminated from the diet are wheat - rye - barley and some oats. This
may sound simple but it is not! These grains are used in so many
preservatives, additives, sauces, processed foods, etc. You really need
to research everything before allowing your child to eat the food item.
Items marked "gluten-free" mean the food item does not contain any of
these bad grains; however, care still needs to be taken to ensure there
is no cross contamination. You can read more within this web-site by
following the link to the CCC Home Page and then clicking on the
various applicable links. Also, for a small fee you may want to consult a
dietitian. Contact Pat Fogarty, our Registered Charlotte Celiac
Dietitian at: << send email >>
Follow-Up Testing: after six months on a gluten-free diet, you will
need to get your child another blood test. If you have been very
careful, you should see a decrease in the antibodies. The blood tests
should be negative or at least significantly improved. If the results are
not negative and there has not been much improvement in the count,
then you must re-examine your food behaviors. Very minor
contaminations are not believed to elevate antibodies. I personally
would suggest you get your child's diet back to as pure food as possible
(plain meat, chicken, poultry, fruits, vegetables, etc.), adding only foods
labeled "gluten-free". Eliminate all at risk foods for six months and
then get a new blood test and compare the results. Cooking like in the
1800's is not fun but it is important to give your little one every
advantage, especially since their immunity system has been fighting
them. They need to rest their immunity system, heal, grow, play, learn
and have every advantage just like every other healthy child!
Best Resource:
There is a ton more information available on celiac in Dr. Green's book.
Dr. Green wrote the first authoritative guide on celiac and covers every
aspect of celiac. He also has a chapter specific to celiac in children.
For a table of contents and to order,
Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic << click here >>
There is a ton more information available on celiac in Dr. Green's book.
Dr. Green wrote the first authoritative guide on celiac and covers every
aspect of celiac. He also has a chapter specific to celiac in children.
For a table of contents and to order,
Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic << click here >>
Other Resources: << click here >>
One of our moms highly recommends "Kids with Celiac Disease: A Family
Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Gluten-Free Children" by: Danna Korn
One of our moms highly recommends "Kids with Celiac Disease: A Family
Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Gluten-Free Children" by: Danna Korn
| You are what you eat... If there's a will there's a way... It's mind over matter... If at first you do not succeed, try, try again... |
| These are quotes my father drilled in me! They have helped me over the years. Even more so today with having to learn, adapt and manage a gluten-free lifestyle. My mom is the ever giving, nuturing and loving mom. She taught me to see the lighter side of life and to see the good in everyone. Thanks Dad and Mom, I love you both and I love all our celiac children everywhere.. :) Love, Janet |
| ||||||||||||||||
