How Young Can Cd Be Tested

[stephanie23]

Hello everyone, i'm new here. I have a son who is 7 months old with down syndrome. I just have a few question on celiac, symtoms, and testing (young baby).

Making long story short here, our child has ALOT of health issues. Three times now that he has oatmeal and barley, the same symtoms occured. Two hours later, vomiting, once vomiting subsided diaherra, stomach pains (i suppose, sleep for about 5 minutes, wake up screaming, kind of like he's uncomfrontable, then he'll ease of to sleep for about 5 minutes again, then same thing). Twice this had landed him in the hospital (both times he had oatmeal) for 24+ hours. This happened 3 weeks apart. He's been fine since, none of these symtoms, and nothing but rice cereal, veggies and fruits (baby jar food). Two nights ago, he had baby jar food (tender harvest-carrots, beef, and barley), same thing, vomiting, then diaherra, tired, weakness, screaming in pain. This time it lasted just a few hours, then he was okay (first time rescue was called out because he was lathargic and would only respond to stimulation). So i feel like i have pin pionted what is causing him to do this (oatmeal and barley-only three times has he eaten these-and same symtoms occured two hours later). So i started doing research since i can never get anything done unless i go about it myself (may i add we didn't find out he had down syndrome until he was 2 months old, knocking at deaths door, and i had numerous test preformed while pregnant, never indications or signs of down syndrome, he's our 2nd child). Somehow i have this mother instinct this could be celiac disease. I tried to call him in soon to be tested, but nothing opened until March 2005. I am so upset this morning because i got talked ugly too, saying this is not celiac, he's too young, but we can test him at 13 months to find out then. Like he can just have a birthday then have celiac (maybe i am just confused and have my mind on this). I just want answers. I don't want to keep giving him things and not knowing if i'm hurting him, or whats going to happen in two hours. Is he going to get sick? Should he have this? Know what i mean? He gets aggreviated very easy, but don't really know if this is just his temperment and related to down syndrome, since they can be very emotional people (i have a 2nd cousin with DS). Hoping you girls can give me some advise. Maybe help me to understand, or even say these are symtoms or not celiac-get over it, lol. Thanks for the help, advise and support. It means ALOT to our family!

[lovegrov]

I wonder if it might be an allergy? These are pretty severe reactions.

I've always read that the blood tests aren't accurate until at least 20 months, preferably two years. Seven months is most definitely too young for the tests.

richard

[stephanie23]

so glad you say that, i should have also added he's had an allergy test done for wheat and oats, and he wasn't allergic. I would think that too, if he hadn't had that test done. Thanks for your help Richard.

[vierling]

My son is allergic to several foods and we found out by seeking out answers. He could not be tested until he was 1 by an allergist. we are just now looking into the celiac issue ( he goes Monday 12\6 to a ped GI). He is currently allergic to all dairy, eggs, wheat, fish, peanuts, peas, tree nuts and sometimes soy! He is now three and has been tested three times, what fun!! Anyway the reactions he had did not sound like yours. He would throw up the entire bottle and usually feel better. With the eggs he only had a small pinch and he immediatley reacted with red welts, mucas in his mouth, red eyes and trouble swallowing-same thing for peas.

Good luck looking for answers, you sound like you won't give up until you find what you are looking for

[stomica]

I don't really have any answers for you, but I wanted to add that allergy testing is not always accurate, especially for such a young child. Our allergist said prick/blood tests can help guide you, but elimination diet is the ONLY true test for food allergies. Food allergies can be associated with IgA or IgG response, not IgE response. Standard allergy testing is based on IgE response only. So, I wouldn't rule out allergies at this point. Obviously, which I'm sure you're doing, I'd steer clear of those foods and continue adding others slowly. Stay away from highly allergenic foods such as nuts, corn, soy, berries, cow's milk and eggs. It shouldn't be that hard right now since he's so young. Stick with the good ole baby veggies, fruits and meats! Good luck!

Sue

[dmchr4]

I'm sorry you have to be going through this with your sweet baby! There IS a higher risk of Celiac disease in people with Down syndrome.

I would also not trust the allergy test. We had the allergy scratch tests don on my daughter, but nothing showed up even though we KNEW she was lactose intolerant and had other food intolerances as well. If I were you, I'd follow the other posters' advice and just feed him the basics, keeping him gluten free.

One of the best books I used for introducing baby foods to avoid or learn what allergies the baby might have is called "Mommy Made." I don't think it's still in print, but you may be able to find a used copy. It tells you how to make your own baby foods (which is SO easy), and when and how to introduce foods.