Toddler gluten challenge and vomiting

[Zoe26]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice. My son is 14 months old with various allergies/intolerances. Went on to prescribed milk from a few months old for rashes and diarrhea. Once we started weaning it became obvious he had a gluten allergy/intolerance. Along with a rice allergy/intolerance. Symptoms vary from rash, itchy skin, eczema and mostly gastro symptoms (up all night inconsolable, gassy, constipated, diarrhea). It took until he was 13 months to see a paeds Dr regarding the issues and only saw a dietician this week. Paeds Dr wanted a gluten and dairy challenge, to introduce both back into his diet and have bloods. 

We started the challenge last Wednesday, by Saturday he had diarrhea, by Sunday he had started projectile vomiting. Always 6-8 hours after eating gluten or dairy. Tolerating fluids and safe foods. Did consider a bug but tolerating large volumes of fluid, no temp, seem by GP and ears throat and chest all clear. He's extremely lethargic, barely moving. GP requested the bloods be done early and to immediately stop the gluten and dairy. I know the bloods will show up any dairy allergies at this point but am well aware he will not test positive for celiac now as only been eating gluten for 8 days and was previously gluten free for 5 months. Does this sound like a coincidence and a childhood bug or does it sound like the affects of eating gluten? Or could it be CMPA and nothing to do with the gluten? I'm desperate for answers 

 

 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Zoe26!

You seem to have thought through all the possible answers to your own questions so I don't have any insight to give. But at this point I certainly would eliminate all foods that know are causing him problems and get him back to good health. Right now you are dealing with too many variables to be able to come to any firm conclusions about celiac disease.

I would recommend having a genetic test done on your son to check for the genes that provide the potential for developing celiac disease. This is not a diagnostic test but a rule out measure. Almost 40% of the population have one or more of the genes associated with celiac disease but if he doesn't have one of them you can essentially rule it out. A genetic test can be ordered by your physician or you can purchase third party "do it yourself" kits for $150-$250 USD. However, even if he does not have celiac disease he could have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). NCGS shares many of the same symptoms of celiac disease but does not damage the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. There is no test for it. It is 10x more common than celiac disease. Some experts feel it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Eliminating gluten is the antidote for both.

 

[knitty kitty]

@Zoe26,

Does your son have a hoarse voice?

[Zoe26]

5 minutes ago, knitty kitty said:

@Zoe26,

Does your son have a hoarse voice?

He doesn't speak yet only has one or two words, he also not walking yet I wonder if it's all affecting his balance but maybe overthinking it and being paranoid 

17 minutes ago, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, @Zoe26!

You seem to have thought through all the possible answers to your own questions so I don't have any insight to give. But at this point I certainly would eliminate all foods that know are causing him problems and get him back to good health. Right now you are dealing with too many variables to be able to come to any firm conclusions about celiac disease.

I would recommend having a genetic test done on your son to check for the genes that provide the potential for developing celiac disease. This is not a diagnostic test but a rule out measure. Almost 40% of the population have one or more of the genes associated with celiac disease but if he doesn't have one of them you can essentially rule it out. A genetic test can be ordered by your physician or you can purchase third party "do it yourself" kits for $150-$250 USD. However, even if he does not have celiac disease he could have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). NCGS shares many of the same symptoms of celiac disease but does not damage the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. There is no test for it. It is 10x more common than celiac disease. Some experts feel it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. Eliminating gluten is the antidote for both.

 

Thank you for the reply. We're in the UK but will speak to our consultant about the genetic testing 

[knitty kitty]

@Zoe26,

Has he been checked for vitamin deficiencies?   

Is he pulling up to standing position? 

Does he crawl?

I ask because delayed development can be associated with nutritional deficiencies.  

Having a hoarse low voice is symptomatic of Thiamine deficiency in children and adults.  Complete loss of voice is possible, too.  

"He's extremely lethargic, barely moving."  This statement really worries me.  Thiamine deficiency can cause fatigue and loss of energy like this.  Thiamine deficiency can be serious in small children.  Do mention this to the doctor.

It's horrible you and your son had to wait so long for an appointment.

Edited October 4, 2024 by knitty kitty
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[Wheatwacked]

When my son was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 1976 as soon as he was weaned, his doctor insisted that we feed him only Nutramigen it was the only hyperallergenic with complete nutrition.  Enfamil and Similac were not acceptable if we wanted him to get healthy.  For one thing they had no  choline back then.

Given the lawsuits against them now, he was right.

He spent about 6 months on the Nutramigen formula exclusively and weaned off of that to a gluten free diet and thrived.

He also predicted that by kindergarden the teacher would beg us to put him on Ritalin, which he took all the way through High School.