Celiac With An Enzyme Deficiency Too?

[skikat]

Son is one year old Celiac. Seems to have a sensitivity to peaches, apricots and blueberries. About 2 hours after eating extremely fussy, irritable and yesterday threw up almost a whole piece of a peach. Almost like the body never broke it down at all. What could this be? I have read about some children lacking certain enzymes needed for breaking down certain foods. What enzyme would this be? And what is in peaches and blueberries that is similar in composition? Are there tests out there for enzyme deficiency, or is he just reacting to something in these foods?

[RiceGuy]

I suppose it could be a lack of certain enzymes, but if he brought up a large piece of peach, it sounds like he didn't chew well at all. Could it be that he's eating too fast? I know I did that for awhile, as it seems the nutrient deficiencies were giving me a ravenous appetite. But like you say, it might simply be an allergy or sensitivity to those fruits.

Also, I believe canned peaches would not have the enzymes, since the canning process involves heat. So that makes me wonder if it was fresh or canned? Frozen fruit might also lack the enzymes, but I'm not sure, and this may not apply to all fruits.

If it persists, I guess an enzyme supplement wouldn't hurt.

[skikat]

They were canned peaches and before he went to canned, he had the same reaction with pureed peach babyfood, so I doubt it was related to his chewing. In regards to the "enzymes", I am referring to enzymes in the body that are needed to break down certain food proteins. He is 13 months old and has been gluten-free/CF since November. Maybe, his gut is not all the way healed yet and some foods he is still reacting too because of damaged gut? Is there a supplement to help heal the gut for a baby that young? or, I guess I will just wait several more months and try reintroducing certain foods. Thanks so much for your input and reply.

[Ursa Major]

He is still a baby and his body may not be ready for certain foods. Why don't you just forgo peaches, apricots and blueberries for a while and just give him other foods instead, like apple sauce?

[slee]

My son just had a bioposy 2 weeks ago, and they also tested his disaccharidase levels, which were all low. They said this can indicate healing of the villi, or it could be a primary problem in itself.... the disaccharidase eneymes are lactase, sucrase, maltase and palatinase. These enzymes can affect how one digests things such as sugar, lactose etc. My son's doctor says we need to watch carefully because they could heal as the body heals, or it could be a seperate problem... so to answer your question it could be he is lacking the normal amounts of a specific (or all) of these enzymes, or it could be that they are low yet due to the celiac and they will get better. My son's doctor said to avoid any large amounts of sugar, and if he keeps having trouble off the gluten it could be also an issue with this. They can take a sample while doing the bioposy, I think that is the only way to do it. You can look for more info online about disaccharidase deficiency.

[skikat]

Thanks for the info!!