Signs & Symptoms of Celiac Disease in Kids

Celiac disease is a condition characterized by a immunological reaction to the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as barley, rye and wheat. Gluten is found in most processed foods. When a child with celiac disease eats a food product with gluten, the immune system responds by attacking the lining of the small intestine, which consists of millions of tiny, microscopic villi. The villi are responsible for absorbing nutrients and vitamins from ingested food. Without villi, the body will become deficient in essential nutrients and vitamins needed to sustain good health and to maintain a proper growth rate. Some children do not display many symptoms and some will only begin to display symptoms after a stressful situation.

Digestive Symptoms

• Celiac disease may cause frequent stomachaches. Sufferers will have frequent diarrhea, and their stools may be unusually foul smelling. Some children may also have episodes of vomiting and they may have a poor appetite.

Physical Signs

• Children with celiac disease may lose muscle mass and body weight. They may also have a bloated or distended belly. They may also grow at a slower rate and be small for their age. They may develop mouth sores and skin rashes and may have muscle cramps.

Behavioral Signs

• Children with celiac disease may seem weak and tired. They may also be tremendously irritable.

Complications

• Children with celiac disease may develop anemia due to an iron deficiency. Children with celiac disease may also have developmental delays as a result of malnutrition. Also, their growth may be stunted. It is possible that children with celiac disease develop rickets, which is a bone disorder caused by a calcium deficiency. Children with celiac disease often develop lactose intolerance.

Causes

• The specific cause of celiac disease has yet to be determined. According to the Kid's Health website, celiac disease affects about 1 out of every 133 individuals in the U.S. Children who have family members with celiac disease have a 5-10 percent chance of also having the condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Celiac disease is typically diagnosed in children between the age of 6 months and 2 years since that is when they start trying out new foods that contain gluten. However, some may be diagnosed much later if symptoms are sporadic. Celiac disease is also sometime misdiagnosed as lactose intolerance of inflammatory bowel disease. A gastroenterologist should be able to offer a proper diagnosis after examining a sample of the small intestine obtained via a biopsy. Celiac disease is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. However, it can be treated by refraining from eating gluten.