Celiac disease symptoms may differ in kids, say docs

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 2

Celiac disease or ‘wheat allergy’ is quite common among children, who are diagnosed to have autoimmune disorder caused by intolerance to gluten. Gluten is the general name of the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley and other grains derived from them.

The Department of Paediatrics at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital under the headship of Dr Puneet Alakh Pooni had been conducting awareness sessions for parents and children with celiac disease.

Adapting to gluten-free diet can be quite challenging for child and his parents but over the time, it becomes routine for both of them, said Dr Pooni. The disease can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. Children may not gain weight and height as expected for their ages. Some children can have diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue and unexplained anaemia.

According to Dr Deepak Bhat, professor of paediatrics, DMCH said symptoms of celiac disease can happen at any time in a child’s life. Some children may develop symptoms in the very first year of life when they are exposed to gluten, while others may develop symptoms after consuming gluten products for years.