4-year-old Celiac With Reflux?

[OrchardNueve]

This is my first post on this site.

I am a Celiac, and I recently had my 4-year-old daughter tested for celiac disease. My reasons for requesting the test were the following:

my own positive diagnosis for celiac disease, the fact that she had recently been complaining of stomach pain and headaches (weird for a 4-year-old to complain of headaches), she has reflux (from birth, mind you...she was breastfed and I've been on a strict gluten-free diet since before she was born, but her reflux went away by the time she was about 6 months old and then has come back more recently), and she has eczema and dark circles under her eyes. She has no problems as far as growth goes. Also, I get the impression that most science doesn't connect Celiac/Gluten Intolerance directly with eczema, but only Dermatitis Herpetiformis. However, it sounds like many people attest to eczema disappearing after going on a gluten-free diet. Am I wrong about this? Her pediatrician holds the eczema as a totally isolated condition, and most of what I've read about eczema on non-Celiac material does not connect the two.

Stupid me, I probably didn't request as thorough of a work-up as I should have, because I started reading about what panels to get AFTER I took her to the pediatrician and got the bloodwork done. The specific tests that were done were Endomysial IgA, Gliadin IgG, Gliadin IgA, TTG Ab S and IgA Serum. All were "negative." Is there an important test that should have been included? Honestly, even when I read up on these tests, it all still sounded like Greek to me.

I have a strong inclination to try her on the gluten-free diet just to see if her symptoms improve. Do any of you suggest something else I should try first? Should I take her to a GI doc first? Get another test? I know that often times the bloodwork can result in a false negative in a young child.

Thanks for any information. I just want her to feel well!

Amy

[RiceGuy]

Well, as you know, the tests aren't very accurate for small children, so I'd recommend simply trying the diet. If it works, that's all that matters. Far better IMO than trusting inaccurate tests while your child continues suffering. You already know Celiac is in the family too.

I hope your child gets well very soon!

Welcome to the board!

[buffettbride]

My daughter had eczema prior to diagnosis and it went away completely after she went gluten free and flares up again if she gets glutened.

She had tummy aches, headaches, and dark circles as well. All cleared up going gluten-free. I'd say especially since you know it's in the family (YOU!) that there's a good chance she has it as well!

[OrchardNueve]

Thank you for the feedback! I am feeling more justified in trying the gluten-free diet (she probably won't be happy to give up her readily available snacks and goodies) due to the positive testimonies from so many others. I'm sure some members of my family will think me crazy to "blow off" the doc's/lab's negative diagnosis.

Oh, well! No harm in trying. Thanks again.

[2boysmama]

My daughter had eczema prior to diagnosis and it went away completely after she went gluten free and flares up again if she gets glutened.

Same here. My son also had tummy aches and his food allergies cleared up as well.

[RissaRoo]

Well, I have an 11 yr old boy who has eczema and reflux, and he has done much better gluten free. We don't have an official dx, but he does get stomach aches and his reflux gets worse when he's had gluten. The eczema has dramatically decreased since going gluten-free. I'd give it a try... it can't hurt, and generally a gluten free diet is healthier anyway.

[shan]

Mine had exzema, now it only flares up when she has dairy! Funnily enough, we thought it was gluten, but i guess it was the dairy that was the actual problem!!

[Darn210]

Reflux was/is my daughter's only symptom for Celiac. It also seems to flare for other things . . . we have determined she has an intolerance to blue dye and we are now looking at red dye also. Reflux is the only symptom there, also, although not as bad.