If you have recently gone gluten free and are having difficulty with helping your children go gluten free, this video series by Glutenology and Dr. Osborne is a much watch. The series discusses symptoms and diseases in infants and children that are linked to gluten intolerance and celiac disease. Gluten Free Society and Dr. Osborne present this two part series on gluten sensitivity/intolerance and children.
Significance of Gluten Intolerance In Kids
What Is Gluten?
Gluten is defined as proteins found in various grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten is composed of two primary proteins, gliadin and glutenin, which form a network-like structure when mixed with water. This network provides the necessary strength and flexibility to produce a wide range of baked goods including bread, pasta, and pastries. While gluten is a staple in many traditional diets, it can be problematic for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. People with gluten sensitivity or wheat allergies may also experience complex reactions when exposed to gluten-containing foods. As a result, gluten-free diets have gained popularity as a therapeutic approach for managing these conditions and promoting overall well-being.
How Common is Gluten Intolerance in Kids?
Approximately 1% of the global population is estimated to be affected by celiac disease. This arises from an abnormal immune system response to gluten, primarily in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Therefore, those with relatives diagnosed with celiac disease and individuals with certain medical conditions have a higher susceptibility to gluten intolerance or celiac disease. It is important to have accurate genetic testing to determine if your kids possess the gene for celiac disease so that you can prevent potential damage that gluten can cause. Identifying familial connections and other risk factors can aid in early diagnosis and the adoption of a gluten-free diet, which is the cornerstone of managing celiac disease or gluten intolerance in kids.
Common Symptoms In Children With Gluten Sensitivity
Symptoms of gluten intolerance can vary from person to person, however here are some of the most common signs of gluten intolerance in kids:
- Growing pains
- Colic
- Reflux
- Stomach pain
- Chronic ear infections
- Hyperfollicular keratosis (skin bumps on the back of the arms)
- Failure to thrive (FTT)
- Growth stunting
- Short stature
- Constipation
- Autism
- Diarrhea
- ADD/ADHD symptoms
- Spontaneous nose bleeding
- Severe allergies (hyper allergic syndrome)
There are more listed in the video. If your child has any of the above conditions consider gluten as the potential threat to their health. Learn more about gluten intolerance symptoms.
Testing Your Child For Gluten Sensitivity
If you take you child to the pediatrician to test for gluten intolerance, make sure they perform the appropriate lab testing. Blood testing and intestinal biopsy are flawed tests that often times come back falsely negative. Ask the doctor to perform genetic testing as it yields the most accurate results. We also recommend taking the sensitivity test as it will provide you with immediate insights. You can learn more about gene testing for gluten issues here.
7 Responses
We started having problems when my son was about 7 or 8 months. He stopped growing. He cried constantly and did not sleep at night. I don’t mean he only slept 5 or 6 hours, he took 20 minute naps between hours of screaming. he was prone to yeast infections and pooped in almost every diaper we changed.He had dry skin and easily got skin rashes, he was always hungry and seemed to have a bottomless stomach. He was always gassy. Within days of making him gluten free, ALL of it went away. He started sleeping through the night but most amazingly, he started talking. This was huge. He wasn’t even attempting to communicate before and wouldn’t even say my name. in days he was saying full sentences, just not very clear but he was saying everything. We have slipped a few times because gluten is in everything and when we do we can expect him to have diarhea for the next day or two, end up in our bed and he will be really whiney and fussy. Oh and rashes. I also noticed a difference in my 3 yr old daughter. Nothing quit as major,but she stopped waking up to pee and drink water every single night.
Wow I was one of the people who thought gluten was gluten, I didn’t know about the “several hundred” prolamines and glutelins that cause the wide range of confusion and misunderstanding and insensitivities.
I also agree with your comment about well educated people who sometimes get lazy and repeat and act on things that if they thought through they would have to challenge. However we are all so busy we just accept what we are told, I had until I learned from this, thankyou.
I shared my son’s story here. It took a neurologist to actually give us his diagnosis (even though I already knew). It was such a scary path since his blood work results actually caused the doctor’s to think that he had cancer, and then his seizures made them think that he may have a brain tumor.
Conner’s Story: http://cookitallergyfree.com/blog/2010/06/our-familys-neurological-link-to-gluten/
Hey
I can tell my own story, maybe later. I do get rashes but very minor these days, gluten also gives me diarrhea….. I only realized what was wrong when I was 17. Try a vegan diet I’m almost a vegan, works for me.
Take care people.
I would like to share my experience with all. we diagonised my daughter’s gluten allergy recently when she is already 11 years old. i am worried about her growth and health. its too late i believe.
My baby girl was a premie,…gas, colic,diaper rash, constipation, screamed for bottle (formulas of all types and prices)screamed all night instead of sleeping, chicken skin, rashes, constant stomach issues, numerous sinus infections,always got sick at birthday parties,did I mention gas?,enamel not forming on teeth,severe migraines that would land her in a quiet dark room all day,a trip to a cardiologist to rule out a heart condition, pepto,tums,mylanta,prilosec,prevasid,(spelling?)then came the bone and body aches, asthma, terrible acne and mood swings that put me to shame, did I mention gas? finally at age 15 she was diagnosed and I felt like a fool for having so many pieces to this puzzle and not putting it all together until then. On the way home from the office that day, we stopped at the grocery store because my daughter said to me” Mom, if this is what I have to face everyday for the rest of my life, I want to know what I have to look for!” We spent two hours that day reading food labels. She has grown into a wonderful young woman, a teacher for children with special needs and has a pure heart of gold. I just wish that I would have known sooner , to have spared her so much pain.
I have rashes