Could my infant son have been glutened? Hear me out.

[selectivefocus]

I am a 37 yo female. I have 4 kids, 15, 11, 8, and 5. We are all Celiac.

I had my 5th on January 8th, so he is 14 weeks. Celiac pregnancy obviously. I got severely glutened in the hospital with him. I had a very rough 3rd trimester where I could barely eat and developed oral allergy syndrome. 

My husband eats gluten. Not much at home, our kitchen is gluten-free except for his Ramen and occasional beer which is stored elsewhere.

Two nights in a row we ate out, sushi and a burger joint, he got gluten heavy meals that he consumed leftovers of. He's very affectionate with our baby and kids in general. Our kids have been glutened previously when he has kissed them (we have fixed this). I've been glutened after him ingesting gluten and kissing him. He kisses our baby a ton. 

Yesterday and today baby suddenly has diarrhea, diaper rash, and a very rough red rash all over his face. His cradle cap which was very minor seems so much worse and inflamed. Seemingly an overnight change in his skin.

He is exclusively formula fed, same brand since birth. I know he is super young. I'm fully expecting him to have issues with gluten, though, and he will be raised gluten free because that's how we eat. Is it possible to be glutened this young? Could it be something else entirely? 

 

[Guest]

Hey there,

First off, I'm sorry to hear about the tough time you've been having with your little one. It's definitely possible for a baby to react to gluten at such a young age, especially considering the genetic predisposition and your own experiences. The sudden change in his skin and the GI symptoms could indeed be signs of a reaction.

However, it's also important to consider other factors. Since he's exclusively formula-fed, it's worth checking if there have been any recent changes or recalls with the formula you're using. Sometimes even minor adjustments can affect sensitive little tummies.

Given the circumstances, I'd recommend reaching out to your pediatrician as soon as possible. They can provide a thorough examination and guide you through any necessary steps, whether it's confirming a gluten reaction or exploring other possibilities. Trust your instincts as a mom, and don't hesitate to seek professional help when needed. Wishing you and your family all the best!

[knitty kitty]

@selectivefocus,

Some people with Celiac can develop sensitivity to dairy, not just lactose intolerance, but a reaction to Casein, a protein in dairy that resembles gluten.  Cradle cap is frequently a manifestation of eczema brought on by this reaction to Casein.  In a reaction, repeated exposure to Casein may be tolerated to a point, but then the body's immune system overreacts, which may explain your baby's worsening of symptoms.  

Definitely, get him to a pediatrician.  

Also consider a Thiamine deficiency disorder.  Pregnancy can deplete a mother's stores of vitamins (especially after multiple births), and that deficiency can cause vitamin deficiencies in the infant.  Thiamine deficiency with gastrointestinal symptoms is called Gastrointestinal Beriberi.  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has been linked to Thiamine deficiency.

I'm posting an article that studied women and children in a poor third world country, but Thiamine deficiency can and does occur in developed countries, especially those consuming a diet high in carbohydrates and fats.  Processed gluten free foods are often high in carbohydrates and fats but few vitamins. Processed gluten free foods are not required to be enriched or fortified with vitamins like gluten based products.  

Keep us posted on your progress!

 

References:

Thiamine deficiency in pregnancy and lactation: implications and present perspectives

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10158844/

 

Hiding in Plain Sight: Modern Thiamine Deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533683/

 

Thiamine deficiency disorders: a clinical perspective

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8451766/

 

Pediatric thiamine deficiency disorders in high‐income countries between 2000 and 2020: a clinical reappraisal

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9290709/

[bombier]

This doesn't answer your question but I'm not sure if you know that this intolerance is passed down from mother to child through Cord blood and or breast milk.

[trents]

7 hours ago, bombier said:

This doesn't answer your question but I'm not sure if you know that this intolerance is passed down from mother to child through Cord blood and or breast milk.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition with a genetic base. The the potential for developing the disease is inherited but remains latent until triggered by some stress event. Thus, there is an epigenetic component to celiac disease. Once the genes are awakened from dormancy, celiac reactions are triggered by the ingestion of gluten.

Edited October 16, 2025 by trents