| Warning Signs Of Child Gluten Sensitivity | | | | What are the options? |
| If you are celiac yourself, it is only natural that | | | | Some doctors feel that without the definite |
| you will be looking out for signs of the disease in | | | | diagnosis of Celiac's disease a gut biopsy can |
| your children, and you will want it diagnosed as | | | | produce, they cannot recommend a gluten-free |
| early as possible. Even if you are not celiac, and | | | | diet. Many will wait and monitor the child, |
| your child begins to develop possible symptoms | | | | undertaking regular tests until Celiac's disease is |
| of gluten sensitivity, surely you will want to start | | | | ruled out or officially diagnosed. This has obvious |
| them on a gluten-free diet from a young age? | | | | drawbacks, as the child will still be eating foods |
| The main problem faced here is that Celiac's | | | | that contain gluten, leading to serious symptoms, |
| disease is currently only medically diagnosed by | | | | and their growth may be limited by the disease. |
| examining the damage that it causes to the | | | | Celiac's disease is a progressive disease, but it |
| intestines. This damage is progressive, and it often | | | | moves slowly and it may be a long time before a |
| takes years of suffering for the gut to be | | | | definite diagnosis is reached. |
| damaged enough for a definite diagnosis. Not only | | | | The other option is to put your child on a |
| will your child be ill during this time, the symptoms | | | | gluten-free diet anyway and see if it improves |
| of Celiac's disease may be slowing down their | | | | their symptoms. If it does, that does not |
| growth and development. | | | | conclusively prove they are celiac, but it will |
| Can Celiac's disease be diagnosed early? | | | | improve their health and their quality of life. |
| New born babies do not have Celiac's disease as | | | | Switching to a gluten-free diet will prevent a |
| they have never been exposed to gluten, but if | | | | definite celiac diagnosis, as the gut will never |
| they have the celiac gene, and eat foods that | | | | become damaged enough for a positive test |
| contain gluten, the disease can begin to develop | | | | result. If your child wants to challenge their |
| very early. It can develop slowly, and the | | | | diagnosis later in life, they will have to consume a |
| symptoms are subtle, so how soon can it be | | | | normal diet including foods that contain gluten for |
| diagnosed? | | | | at least six weeks, and probably several months, |
| A biopsy of the small bowel to check for gluten | | | | before any damage becomes obvious. |
| damage is unlikely to produce conclusive results at | | | | Medical opinion is mixed over the best course of |
| a young age, as the disease will not have | | | | action, but most parents, when faced with this |
| developed enough to cause significant damage. | | | | choice, would choose to put their child on a |
| However, as soon as the body begins to react to | | | | gluten-free diet without medical diagnosis. If they |
| gluten in the diet, a blood test can detect an | | | | do have a gluten sensitivity this will improve their |
| antibody called the IgG-gliadin antibody. The | | | | quality of life, and prevent stunted growth. The |
| presence of this antibody, when combined with | | | | child can decide to challenge this diagnosis later in |
| celiac symptoms, should be enough to make your | | | | life by switching to a diet including foods that |
| pediatrician suspect gluten sensitivity, but the | | | | contain gluten, and having a gut biopsy after |
| course of action you take after that is really | | | | several weeks. |
| down to you. | | | | |