18 Month Old - Help Analyze Our Symptoms?

[MeganF14]

Hi guys.  New member here.  My son is almost 18 months old and I'm starting to suspect he may have celiac.  Since 12 months (so, close to 6 months, and possibly longer but I'd need to look up his stats), he has gained VERY little weight and height.  He was pretty consistently in the 25-30% for height and weight until 9 months, and then began falling down.  At his 15 month appt, he was down to the 5% and at his 18 month appt I suspect he will be even lower.  Basically, he has barely grown in the last 6 months.  He eats a TON though.  He has constant dark circles under his eyes.  He has had at least 6 ear infections in the last 6 months.  He varies between constipation and diarrhea.

I can't say for sure about abdominal pain and/or gas and bloating.  He doesn't SEEM to be suffering from that, not severely anyway, though he does have bouts of irritability (what 18 month doesn't though?  )  I would say he does have mood swings/bad temper.

His 18 month well child appt is coming up in the next 2 weeks.  Is the testing something I can insist on from his doctor?  Should I expect resistance?  Thanks for reading and input you may have!

[SLLRunner]

Welcome, Megan!

I think you need to talk to the doctor about testing. 

Are you aware of anyone else in your family (your side and baby's father side) who has celiac, or who you suspect might have it? 

Here is a link to one of the forums here: https://www.celiac.com/forums/forum/10-celiac-disease-parents-of-kids-or-babies-with-celiac-disease/

 

[StephanieL]

Did you introduce gluten at 6 months?

I would not immediately think Celiac disease with what you are talking about. There are a TON of things that could be going on OR nothing at all.   Are you and the babies father small people?  If so, that there could be the reason for the "low growth". Those charts are a) VERY old and b ) not supper accurate.  I would speak to the ped about your concerns but LISTEN to ALL the Dr's have to say before latching onto one idea. 

Hang in there!

[MeganF14]

I am short (about 5'1") but my husband is completely "normal", 6'0". And his (my husband's) dad and brother are tall, 6'3".  My side of the family is average.  

We did introduce baby food at 6 months, but didn't start much table food until closer to 12 months because he was slow to learn how to chew, haha.

I guess for me, it's the combination of all his symptoms that make me think SOMETHING is going on.  Mostly the low growth, dark circles, and constant ear infections.  I know milk allergy could be another possibility.  Seriously, this kid eats like a horse, so it's hard for me to see how little he's growing and think everything is fine.  Thanks for your replies!

[cyclinglady]

I agree with Stephanie.  You might be right about milk allergies.  I would be concerned about a drop off in weight that was so dramatic.  My baby was little from the get-go.  She was always under 10% in weight (based on charts) but her head and height measurements were fine.  Her Ped was concerned, but my half of the family typically has small kids that turn out normal in weight.  My daughter remained at  5 to 10% until after 1st grade.  She is now a high school kid (no celiac) and is a water polo and track athlete.  She is at 50% in weight and height.

Continue to be your child's health advocate.  If you "feel" like something is wrong, get it checked out!  

 

[frieze]

Megan, how tall are your parents?  if you are distinctly shorter than expected, perhaps YOU are celiac....

[mommida]

You are right to be concerned with the low growth rate.  There are any number of illnesses/disease that can start from these symptoms.

food sensitivities, parasite infection, H. Ployri., congenital defect, hernia, Celiac, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, and the short list of usual suspects.  You also have to consider the gut may really be out of whack due to the antibiotic use from the ear infections which can cause some temporary food intolerances.

So tell the ped at your appointment and get a referral  to specialist for further testing.  Your ped appointment should include an iron level test, but you should be able to start a stool test kit for parasites and blood test to check for vitamin and nutrient deficiencies.  If you are hoping to get the Celiac panel drwn I would make sure you have that information on hand to make sure the complete Celiac panel is drawn.

Your child's pediatrician should be professional enough to listen to you as the parent.  Your child is unable to communicate all symptoms verbally and may not even complain about what is "everyday normal" .

As for further testing... an endoscopy with biopsy will probably be ordered to further diagnose or rule out illness/disease.  Do NOT make any diet changes until testing is complete.

Good luck with  testing.

Daughter diagnosed with probable Celiac at 16 months old. (symptoms since months old and terrible time starting cereal at 7 months)

Daughter diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis at 6 years old.