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Celiac Disease Symptoms in Children

Celiac disease is a digestive condition in which the body cannot properly digest the protein gluten, which is found in products containing wheat, rye and barley. When gluten is consumed by people with celiac disease, the intestinal tract is damaged. Once the intestinal tract is damaged, it is not able to properly absorb nutrients. Diagnosing celiac disease starts with a blood test, but an examination of the small intestine is often necessary for a final diagnosis. Treatment of the condition basically centers on changing the diet to avoid gluten.

  1. Abdominal Symptoms

    • Children with celiac disease will often have abdominal pain or bloating or swelling in the abdomen. Some kids will also experience bouts of nausea and vomiting. In many cases, these symptoms may be overlooked for a period of time or thought to be signs of a common childhood illness such as the stomach flu.

    Digestive Symptoms

    • Chronic diarrhea can be a problem with children who have celiac disease. In some cases, the stool may be more foul-smelling or more pale than usual; it may also appear to be fatty-looking. Some children may also experience constipation as a symptom of celiac disease.

    Weight Loss

    • Because celiac disease leads to an inability to absorb some nutrients, children with the condition may lose weight. In some cases, the weight loss may not be very noticeable, but in young children especially it can be cause for concern. And because a good supply of nutrients is essential for the body's growth and development, children with celiac disease may have delayed growth or be small for their age. Puberty can also begin later in some cases.

    Behavior Symptoms

    • It is common for children with celiac disease to be irritable. In many cases, the irritability is likely the result of many of the other side effects, such as abdominal pain, bloating and nausea. Young children especially may be crabby because the effects of celiac disease are bothering them but they cannot properly communicate it.

    Other Symptoms

    • Several other symptoms are also sometimes experienced by children with celiac disease. These symptoms tend to be less common than the gastrointestinal symptoms that are the hallmarks of the condition. They include rashes, fatigue, tooth discoloration, canker sores, and bone and joint pain.

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