Celiac disease is one of the most common of the autoimmune diseases particularly in children. The treatment is simple, avoid gluten, but this disease is also often very undiagnosed.  For children this disease can be even more serious as symptoms may be much more severe and it cause major complications in their small bodies.

Untreated celiac in small children can be responsible for a number of complications, some are similar to adult complications but there are many that are unique to young rapidly growing children. For young children one of the most severe and noticeable complications is weight loss and failure to grow. Also called a failure to thrive, a child with undiagnosed celiac disease may be short for their age and may appear emaciated.  Their belly may be distended and their weight is often below normal.

Malnutrition that is associated with celiac disease may cause rickets or osteoporosis, because the intestine has been destroyed by the gluten particles, their bodies are unable to absorb enough calcium or vitamin D. For much the same reasons, children may become iron deficient anemic as the body is unable to absorb enough iron. Folic acid deficiency anemia is another symptom of malnutrition in children as they are unable to absorb enough of the vitamin B folic acid.

Children’s teeth may become soft and yellow because tooth enamel may be lost or not form properly. Rectal prolapse, also common in children is a condition where loose tissue from the end of the large intestine slides downward. This tissue will partially or completely protrude from the anus. Treatment for this issue may go beyond diet and require medications to treat.

As children move into adolescence other complications can occur. A delay in puberty is most often the most common complication of celiac disease. Girls will start their menses much later than normal and boys may find a delay in facial hair and voice chances. It can often be hard for teens to consistently follow a gluten free diet, so it is important that you make sure that you educate your teen to the complications and damage that can occur if the diet is not adhered to.