Celiac Disease In Children And Adolescents
Celiac disease is the name of permanent gluten intolerance. The term gluten indicates the set of proteins present in numerous cereals and in particular in wheat. It is one of the most frequent digestive disorders. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health in 2017, officially diagnosed celiacs amounted to 206,561. The incidence of celiac disease in children and adolescents is higher than in adults.
Almost 1 in 70 children is gluten intolerant. It is a pathology with a strong genetic component, therefore subjects carrying certain genes are more exposed to the risk of contracting it. At present, a large part of our diet revolves around cereals and the presence of gluten in food is considerable. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about celiac disease , especially when it affects children and adolescents.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a disease in which an autoimmune reaction to gluten occurs. That is, the immune system reacts to it by causing inflammation of the digestive system.
Numerous studies have shown the strong genetic component of celiac disease. This means that people who possess certain genes have a higher risk of intolerance. However, symptoms don’t always develop.
It is also important to note that there are some conditions that can increase the risk of developing celiac disease. Among them we find diabetes mellitus and Down syndrome.
What does this disease involve?
Celiac patients develop an immune reaction on the part of the digestive system towards gluten. This substance, in addition to wheat, is also found in other cereals such as barley, spelled or rye.
When a food containing gluten is ingested, the immune reaction causes inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, whose task is to absorb the nutrients necessary for the body’s health. When it undergoes alterations, the intestine is no longer able to obtain these nutrients, therefore celiac disease can lead to a malabsorption syndrome.
However, people with celiac disease can avoid symptoms and complications by following a strictly gluten-free diet. If the intolerance is detected in time and the consumption of gluten is avoided, the intestinal mucosa tends to regenerate.
Celiac disease in children and adolescents
Celiac disease can occur at any stage of life. However, symptoms tend to vary with age. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the damage produced in the intestinal mucosa can be reversible if detected in time. In the case of children and adolescents, it is important to pay attention to the appearance of any symptoms, this will allow us to adopt the most appropriate diet to avoid possible future complications.
Very young children often experience diarrhea and flatulence; moreover, they tend to grow little, especially from the moment they start ingesting solid foods containing gluten.
As for older children or adolescents, however, the symptoms tend to manifest themselves as abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation. They also tend to be short for their age. They can also develop rashes and anemia, all of which is because the body cannot absorb the nutrients it needs for growth and development.
Diagnosis of celiac disease in children
In many cases, children and adolescents either do not show symptoms of celiac disease or they go completely unnoticed. However, we know that the genetic factor is decisive in this pathology. If you or your partner suffer from it, it is important to see a doctor to have the children tested.
There are several tests to detect celiac disease. A blood test is usually done first, to look for antibodies. If the result is positive, a biopsy of the small intestine is also done in some cases. This consists of introducing a small probe through the mouth to the intestine. Once there, a sample is taken and analyzed in the laboratory.
There are a number of methods for diagnosing this pathology in a child. The tests are not painful at all and if the diagnosis is made promptly the health of the child can significantly benefit.
In conclusion
Celiac disease in children and adolescents comes in different forms depending on the age. If you think your children may suffer from it, consult your doctor promptly to prescribe all the necessary tests.
