When To Test Asymptomatic Children Who Have A Coeliac Parent

[imagine22]

I have a 3 yr old who has no symptoms of coeliac disease (but then again NEITHER DID I! apart from tiredness and minor illnesses like cold and flus continuously)? when should i have her tested? I have biopsy diagnosed coeliac disease.

[ItchyMeredith]

Good question. I had no symptoms till I was 26- and DH was my only sign of celiac.

We are currently working to figure out if our 3 year old has it as well. He does not have any GI issues but he has multiple food allergies, eczema, a thin frame, and dark circles under his eyes. His bloodwork came back negative but we have decided to press on and test him through Enterolab. If that comes out negative I will still get him the celiac blood panel every 5 years to make sure he doesn't develop it.

My other son is 18 months but he is very different. He has none of the signs and has no sensitivities that we know of. If he continues to not show any signs I will get him the blood test when he is around 5 and test him every 5 years or so.

My advice to you is to look closely for the non-typical signs. This site has taught me about the many ways celiac can present itself. Most pediatricians only look for celiac if the child has the classic GI symptoms. Hopefully our kids will not have celiac- but if they do- thank goodness they have parents like us who are already knowledgeable about the disease and the diet. Good Luck

[fedora]

HI.

I don't know when the best time to test is. I know that they recommend all 1st degree relatives get checked even if they don't have symptoms.

My daughter has non classic symptoms and we are pursueing testing.

There are some site with lists of symptoms that you may not be aware of

mouth sores

delayed growth

irratability(hard to tell in a 3 yr old)

moody

depressed

low iron

personality changes

poor memory

and the classic-bloating,Big D and C, vomiting

blood tests can be false negatives. If she has no symptoms, not even yours of getting sick alot, then maybe she doesn't have it. That would be hard to tell in a family with little symptoms. You could test her, and get the FULL blood panel! And listen to your instinct. If you feel like she may have it and the blood test is negative, there is enterolab also. good luck

[ravenwoodglass]

In countries where they routinely test for celiac they do it at about age 4 and then again at puberty. If the child is asymptomatic. Symptoms can range from upset tummies, to mood issues to trouble concentrating to growth issues, bone and muscle pain, dental cavities etc. They can be quite subtle and come on slowly and the child and family may not be aware of the issue. I became ataxic at around 5 but was thought to just be clumsy, for example.

Since you have been diagnosed the NIH and other organizations say all first degree relatives of yours, children, brothers, sisters and parents should also be tested. Whether they think they have symptoms or not. If a your parents come back positive then all their first degree relatives should also test, ie. your grandparents, aunts, uncles etc.

If your child becomes symptomatic, or if you make the house gluten-free and he seems to react to out of home gluten, then regardless of the blood test results it is a good idea to have them gluten free. False negatives on blood testing are common but false postives are extremely rare.

[imagine22]

thanks. oh i did have another symptom - i was very short and thin from age 6yrs - and then grew at 18years to an average/tall height (169cm about 5 61/2). i wasnt diagnosed until 27years and then it was by accident!

[Ursa Major]

eczema, a thin frame, and dark circles under his eyes

Those were the exact symptoms of my oldest granddaughter. My daughter knew about her other intolerances (dairy, soy and some combinations) and had eliminated those years ago. But when gluten was eliminated, Emily started gaining weight, and the dark circles under her eyes disappeared within days.

imagine, it would be a good idea to have your daughter tested. But unfortunately, celiac disease testing in children under six is not very reliable, and if it comes back negative that doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't have it.

You might want to try the gluten-free diet, and if you notice a difference in your child, either behavioral or otherwise, you will know to eliminate gluten permanently.

Also, some children think that having a constant tummy ache is NORMAL, if they have always had it, and will only tell you when it goes away that it is gone now.

When I was a kid I thought my symptoms were normal and that everybody felt that way. And I felt terrible!