According to the Mayo Clinic, celiac disease is caused by a reaction from the digestive tract to a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. The small intestine reacts to gluten causing malabsorption of nutrients. Although celiac disease can affect a person of any age, it is commonly diagnosed during childhood and treated by a diet free of gluten as no cure exists.
Failure to Thrive
Toddlers and infants can suffer from myriad symptoms including failure to thrive, lack of weight gain, delayed growth, short stature and dental enamel defects due to celiac disease, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Children are at a crucial nutritional stage, and those with celiac disease are unable to absorb nutrients and, therefore, have problems with normal growth and development.
Gastrointestinal Problems
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, digestive symptoms are more common in infants and children than in adults. Those symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating and pain, foul-smelling or fatty stool and weight loss. Fortunately, these symptoms will end once a gluten-free diet begins.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of celiac disease may include anemia, irritability, depression, muscle cramps, fatigue and mouth sores. Celiac disease may also cause dermatitis herpetiformis, a blistery and itchy rash on the elbows, knees and buttocks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because symptoms vary among individuals, you should discuss any unusual behavior or condition with the toddler's pediatrician.
