Siblings W/different Gi Issues- Same Problem?

[4inharmony]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and I am looking to gain some wisdom regarding celiac disease in children. There is quite a bit of celiac history on my husband's side for sure and I have autoimmune issues in my family, particularly thyroid disease.

I have two DDs. One is 7 and is finally being treated for reflux after years of pediatricians missing the symptoms. Her reflux is worsening despite medications and her GI wants to do an endoscopy. She also has been suffering from constipation and long standing sleep problems.

Her younger sister who is almost 4 has been a different kid since she had a bad bout of gastroentertitis last winter (when she was 2 1/2). She was sick enough to end up in the hospital with what we suspect was a paralytic ileus. (Her bowels stopped moving completely) Since then she has had issues with diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, episodes of belly bloating, irritability and fatigue. We have ruled out lactose intolerance and she is currently on a dairy-free trial. She seems to be somewhat better in terms of the bloating, but continues to have bouts of pain and constipation/diarrhea. The Miralax she is on makes interpretting all the "poo" tea leaves difficult.

Both girls got the celiac panel which I was told was "normal" and then on further inquiry I was told that both girls had an elevated antigliadin IgG. The pediatrician told me not to concern myself with it as "a lot of kids have this". The GI went back and tested their total serum IgA as it was not tested the first time, but he felt that celiac was unlikely at this point.

Questions- can celiac affect the esophageal tract causing reflux? Will the GI be able to see this on an endoscopy or do I need biopsies? Also...should I ask him to go into her intestines while he's in there to do a biopsy there? Neither of them have growth issues, so maybe I am totally off the mark here. My husband thinks I am crazy to be pushing the gluten issue, but with the ongoing issues not responding to meds, it seems like a possible avenue.

Thanks, in advance, for your help!!

[debmom]

my daughter has reflux and is gluten intolerant. her reflux is better off gluten. I'd say all the symptoms you mentioned could be gluten related.

[swalker]

I agree, all the symptoms of both girls are classic for gluten intolerance. Removing dairy for a few months is a good idea at first to speed healing as they are a similiar protein.

[MySuicidalTurtle]

My Brother and I (both diagnosed Celiacs) have completely different symptoms. He suffers from bad reflux.

[sugarsue]

Both girls got the celiac panel which I was told was "normal" and then on further inquiry I was told that both girls had an elevated antigliadin IgG. The pediatrician told me not to concern myself with it as "a lot of kids have this". The GI went back and tested their total serum IgA as it was not tested the first time, but he felt that celiac was unlikely at this point.

Hello, if the IgA comes back normal, I would like to refer you to a book called Healthier Without Wheat by Stephen Wangen. This book is dedicated to non-celiac gluren intolerance and it (along with my many questions to this forum and google searching!) helped me understand my daughter's positive antigliadin IgG and that this meant that she was gluten intolerant and could not eat any gluten. Now that gluten is out of her diet, she has improved quite a lot and can't have a speck of gluten without getting sick.

Good luck to you and your daughters! I know you are on the right path and you will find answers for them.

Susan