Celiac disease: Basic facts we need to know
What is it?
It is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body turns against the body’s tissues when exposed to gluten, causing damage mainly to the small intestine.
The diagnosis of celiac disease can be made at any age.
The damage to the small intestine caused in children with celiac disease leads to difficulty absorbing various components, leading to a condition called malabsorption.
People with celiac disease experience symptoms when they consume cereals (rye, wheat, barley).
Symptoms
Celiac disease manifests itself differently in each child.
In recent years, it can be diagnosed early, with most children presenting with mild symptoms.
Children with classic celiac disease experience symptoms between 6-24 months, immediately after introducing cereals into their diet.
The most common & common are:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Pain, abdominal bloating
- Anorexia and weight loss
- Vomiting
- Reduced weight gain
- Short stature
- Delayed puberty
- Iron deficiency anemia that does not improve with iron intake
- Elevated transaminases without another cause
How is celiac disease diagnosed?
The first test performed on a child with suspected celiac disease is a blood test that measures antibodies against transglutaminase (anti-tTG), type IgA.
These antibodies are elevated in children with celiac disease and almost never increase in normal individuals. If these antibodies are positive, a biopsy of the small intestine follows.
The treatment
Adopting a strict gluten-free diet is the key to treating celiac disease.
The parents’ goal is to make this diet a way of life!
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