GastroKids

Pediatric Celiac Disease

If your child has celiac disease, consuming gluten will cause damage to finger-like projections, called villi, in the lining of your child's small intestines.

Celiac disease is a life-long condition, but it is manageable through permanent modifications to the diet. Simply put, anyone with celiac disease must adhere to a gluten free diet. While this may seem daunting at first--especially for kids--you'll find that many nutritious, tasty foods fit into this diet (including fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, poultry--and even soft drinks and ice cream!) For more information and ideas, see CDHNF's Gluten-Free Diet Guide.

Quick Facts on Celiac Disease:

• Approximately 40,000 Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease.
• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, meaning it causes a person's immune system to attack the body.
• Symptoms of celiac disease can appear at any age after gluten is introduced into the diet.
• Patients with celiac disease must follow a lifelong gluten free diet

Children are at higher risk for celiac disease if they have:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Down syndrome
• Turner syndrome
• Williams syndrome
• A relative with celiac disease