Celiac Awareness Month: Know The Types And Symptoms Of Celiac Disease In Kids

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease which damages the small intestine. When the small intestine is damaged, nutrient absorption from food is reduced leading to growth retardation in children. Genetic, environmental, and immunological factors play a role in pathogenesis, damage of small intestinal mucosa and development of enteropathy. The prevalence of celiac disease in children aged 2.5 to 15 years is 3 to 13 per 1000. Celiac disease presents with variable clinical picture. Celiac disease can affect e in many ways and symptoms vary in severity.

There are 3 recognised types of celiac disease

1. Silent celiac disease

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Asymptomatic children with increased risk of the disease. The diseases and conditions predisposing someone to celiac disease are: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (6%), first-degree relatives (10%). Down syndrome (5.5%), Turner syndrome (6%), Williams syndrome (9.5%), autoimmune diseases of the liver (13.5%) and of the thyroid gland (3%), juvenile arthritis (1.5%), and selective IgA deficiency (3%).

Also read: Gluten-Free Diet: Diet Tips To Manage Celiac Disease, As Suggested By An Expert

2. Minor celiac disease

Atypical presentation or only a single symptom is observed, such as lack of body mass increase and growth retardation, anemia, dental enamel hypoplasia, osteoporosis, or pubertal delay.

Also read: 3 Nutritious Gluten-Free Foods You Must Add To Your Diet

3. Classical celiac disease

After the introduction of gluten into the child's diet, a set of clinical symptoms of malabsorption appears, such as chronic diarrhoea, failure to thrive, abdominal distension and pain, growth delay and iron deficiency anemia.

Celiac disease can lead to changes in appetite
Photo Credit: iStock

Common celiac disease symptoms in kids include:

Decreased appetite - Children and toddlers are usually picky eaters, but this problem can be made worse in children with celiac disease. In addition, kids with celiac disease experience abdominal discomfort due to their inability to eat gluten.

Failure to thrive/delayed growth or puberty - Children are usually much shorter or smaller than other kids of their age. 10% of children with no cause for delayed growth may have celiac disease. Teenagers with failure to thrive might experience delayed puberty.

Other symptoms: Anemia, bloating, constipation, damaged or dicoloured tooth enamel, fatigue, itchy rash, vomiting, obesity etc.

Also read: Are You Going Gluten-Free? Top 8 Gluten-Free Foods You Should Have

Early diagnosis and early treatment is the key to prevent further damage to all the organ system and ensure optimal growth of a child.

(Dr Sufla Saxena is a Consultant - Paediatric Gastroenterologist And Hepatologist at Manipal Hospitals)

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