Celiac disease is a hypersensitivity to gluten. Also called celiac sprue, nontroptical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy, celiac disease is characterized by an extreme immune system response to the consumption of gluten. The immune system reacts by attacking the cells of the small intestines.
Celiac disease may be diagnosed in adulthood, but it is often diagnosed in infancy and childhood. Irritability is a common symptom of celiac disease in children. Celiac disease can also cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.
An infant with celiac disease may have normal digestion and growth until food containing gluten is introduced to the infant’s diet. The infant may react by having diarrhea, a distended abdomen, projectile vomiting, and irritability. The infant may stop gaining weight.
Celiac disease in children often causes poor appetite and poor growth. The child symptoms may temporarily cease during adolescence. The symptoms of celiac disease may reemerge in early adulthood.
The treatment for celiac disease is following a gluten-free diet. When a child has celiac disease, it is usually beneficial for the entire family to follow a gluten-free diet. This prevents gluten-containing food from being in the child’s environment and saves the parents from having to tell the child they cannot have certain foods.
Some parents of children with celiac disease experience anxiety about the child attending school. While attending school, the child is likely to come in contact with food that contains gluten in the school cafeteria and perhaps during student birthday celebrations or snack time.
The child’s celiac disease and need for a gluten-free diet should be discussed with the school nurse, school dietician, and the student’s teacher. Parents may also want to discuss the celiac disease with the principal of the school.
Following a gluten-free diet throughout the child’s lifetime is imperative for limiting the damage to the small intestines. Foods that contain rye, wheat, or barley contain gluten. Other foods not associated with these grains may also contain gluten.
Parents can gradually increase the child’s responsibility in following a gluten-free diet. As the child grows, the child can learn about celiac disease, which foods to avoid, how to read a food label, and to make healthy food choices.
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