September 13, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia announces the
establishment of the Center for Celiac Disease, a multidisciplinary resource created to diagnose, treat and
provide support for patients and families with celiac disease. "A person with celiac disease is unable to
digest gluten, a common ingredient found in many foods, including bread, pasta and even condiments,"
said Ritu Verma, M.D., gastroenterologist and director of the Center for Celiac Disease at Children's
Hospital. "This inability to digest gluten damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents the body
from absorbing essential nutrients. The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet." One of
the challenges of celiac disease is that though it is relatively common, affecting approximately one in 133
people, the warning signs like small stature, fatigue and stomach irritation are relatively vague and may
mimic other disorders like inflammatory bowel disease or lactose intolerance, making it difficult to
diagnose. In some cases symptoms may be so mild that they are overlooked entirely. If celiac disease is
not diagnosed, patients may face problems with osteoporosis, internal organ disorders and internal
bleeding. "The average patient lives with celiac disease for 11 years before being properly diagnosed,"
said Dr. Verma. "The goal of the Center for Celiac Disease at Children's Hospital is for families to get the
answers they need and receive a comprehensive treatment plan and support that will last a lifetime."
The Center for Celiac Disease consists of a multidisciplinary team of specialists including physicians,
nutritionists, nurses, educators, laboratory technicians and clinical researchers, who provide individualized
nutrition counseling and care for each patient. "Celiac disease not only affects the child diagnosed with the
disease, but also the entire family because treatment requires a drastic change in lifestyle and diet," said
Jennifer Autodore, R.D, LDN, clinical nutritionist at Children's Hospital. "That is why at Children's Hospital's
Center for Celiac Disease we offer care from highly-trained specialists, in addition to family education
sessions and support groups where information about the latest gluten-free restaurants and recipes is
shared. The Center also provides comprehensive family screenings and support and direction to advocate
for gluten-free menu items in the children's schools." The Center for Celiac Disease at The Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the largest resources in the Northeast United States, dedicated solely to
the care of children with celiac disease. The Center currently treats more than 350 patients from
Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. For more information on the Center for Celiac Disease please
visit http://www.chop.edu or call 215-590-1680 to make an appointment.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital.
Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of
pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has
fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among
the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique
family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a
leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.
Contact: Gina Marchiondo
Phone: 267-426-6054
marchiondo@email.chop.edu
SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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http://www.chop.edu
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