Celiac disease affects the immune system, which responds adversely to gluten, a protein found in such foods as wheat, rye and barley. The lining in the small intestine becomes damaged from the immune system’s response and has difficulty absorbing important nutrients from foods. Celiac disease cannot be cured. Children, as well as adults, with the disease must avoid gluten in their diets to keep their immune system and intestines functioning properly.
Stopping Damage
Determining exactly when gluten gets out of the body in children with celiac disease isn't easy. However, a special diet that avoids gluten stops the damage the disease causes. Children usually begin to feel better within two weeks after starting a gluten-free diet, according to UpToDate, a physicians’ website for clinical and patient information. A blood test to examine the level of the antibody called tissue transglutaminase is usually administered about 6 months following the start of a gluten-free diet. The antibody level should be lower than it was while the child was consuming gluten, or can even disappear all together as the child improves. Children continue to improve as long as they avoid foods with gluten. Further tests are not needed unless symptoms reappear.
Symptoms
Common symptoms from celiac disease include diarrhea, poor appetite, a bloated or painful stomach and weight loss or inability to gain weight. Symptoms can begin in infancy, between 6 and 24 months, once the child starts eating foods containing gluten, but symptoms can also begin later. Slowed growth, skin rashes and tooth problems may occur due to the disease. Other symptoms may include fatigue and iron deficiency anemia. Doctors perform blood tests and small intestine biopsies to diagnose the disease.
Avoiding Gluten
Children must avoid gluten in all foods and drinks, as this is the only treatment for the disease. Aside from wheat, rye and barely, gluten is often found in some prepared foods, so parents need to take special care in checking food labels. Some products may advertise “wheat free” on labels, but still contain gluten. Packaging should note that the product contains no gluten; contact the manufacturer with any questions if you are unsure if a product contains gluten.
Foods to Eat
Keeping your child on a gluten-free diet may seem difficult, but plenty of nutritious foods can provide children with a well-balanced diet. Healthy, gluten-free foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, corn, rice, potatoes, meat and fish. You can find gluten-free products in most supermarkets. A gluten-free diet keeps a child’s small intestine healthy, but children need to continue the diet because gluten will always irritate the intestines, according to KidsHealth. Keeping a list of foods to avoid with them helps children stay away from offending products and they soon learn what foods are safe to eat.
