Contrary to popular belief, coeliac is a common condition found in children. Unfortunately, the symptoms of this health condition can often be mistaken for other illnesses, which leads to late diagnosis and treatment.
This article will inform you of the symptoms that you should be aware of regarding coeliac disease in children. Fortunately, diagnosing your child can be done through a coeliac screen test and a blood test, which can identify the status of the condition.
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac is an autoimmune disorder that results in severe bodily reactions to gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat and barley. The disease is marked by damaged inner tissue lining of the small intestine due to immune system attacks on the digestive tract.
If left untreated, coeliac can lead to further unfortunate complications that can severely deteriorate the health and wellbeing of your child. However, on the brighter side, identifying and diagnosing your child’s condition in its initial stages can help avoid these problems.
Coeliac: What It Looks Like
The onset of coeliac looks different for different children. However, there are a few general symptoms they’ll experience within minutes to hours after gluten intake. These reactions typically last up to a few hours or even a few days, depending on how one’s body reacts.
Toddlers
Toddlers and infants experience more palpable symptoms that are usually harder to miss. Some of these symptoms include:
· Bloating and gas build-up
· Diarrhea
· Vomiting
· Irritability
· Poor growth and malnutrition
Teenagers
With age, the symptoms of coeliac also seem to increase in intensity and are no longer limited to just the digestive tract.
A few manifestations of the disease include:
· Unexplainable weight loss
· Delayed puberty and stunted growth
· Joint and muscle pain
· Fatigue and anemia
· Migraines and brain fog
Diagnosis: Coeliac Screen Tests
The most common coeliac screen test is an antibody test. General physicians screen the blood for antibodies in response to gluten intake. Abnormally high levels of antibodies indicate a positive result that confirms the presence of the disease.
In other cases, a sample of the inner tissue lining of the small intestine may be required for a biopsy. This procedure is carried out using an endoscope and is entirely painless as your child is given anesthesia throughout the process.
Aftercare
If your child tests positive for coeliac, it’s advised to take them for regular monitoring by a gastroenterologist and a dietitian. These checkups are necessary to see their progress, growth, and development.
Your dietitian will help make meal plans for your child to cut out gluten from their diet. However, by doing so, you don’t want your child to feel left out in any way. Instead, try playing around with different foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables and other gluten-free options for nutritious yet delicious meals.