Locations:
SearchAdvertisement
The short answer from a gastroenterologist
A: Most people diagnosed with celiac disease nowadays are adults, but children can and do get it.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Celiac disease causes an autoimmune reaction in the body when someone ingests gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. As a result, their small intestine is damaged, and their body can’t properly absorb nutrients from food.
In children, one of the most common reasons to test for celiac disease is difficulty achieving the growth that is expected for their age.
Children may also experience celiac disease symptoms similar to those experienced by adults, including:
Of course, these can be symptoms of many different health problems, or they can be benign. So it’s important to work with a gastroenterologist to get a diagnosis.
For children with symptoms, the initial step is testing the blood for certain antibodies. If results of the test show a tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody level that is 10 times the upper limit of what’s considered normal, select children may be able to skip the final step of diagnosis, which is an endoscopy with biopsy.
The only treatment for celiac disease is to follow a gluten-free diet. A dietitian can help children and their families with this transition.
— Gastroenterologist and celiac disease specialist Alberto Rubio-Tapia, MD
Advertisement
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
These kids’ visits include getting important vaccines and checking on developmental milestones
The need for sleep often takes a back seat for teens, but they need eight to 10 hours of sleep to stay mentally healthy, strengthen their brains and prevent injury
RSV can lead your child to develop pneumonia and have trouble breathing
No juice until your child is 1 year old — and even then, they shouldn’t have much, if any
Getting extra rest, drinking fluids and taking over-the-counter medications can help your little one bounce back
Most cases are mild and can be treated at home, but some situations may require medical care or a trip to the ER
Between 50% and 70% of autistic people also have an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis
Kids’ BMI is measured in relation to others their age and sex — a healthy range is between the 5th and 84th percentile
Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help
A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine
