Could My 5 Year Old Be Suffering From Celiac/gluten Intolerance?

[Neali]

We recently moved over (to Canada) from UK, we are currently without a family doctor, and for what is from UK, well... Here is the situation:

my daughter is now 5 year old, she has been diagnosed with having eczema since she was 18 months, but was born with very dry skin, a beautiful big baby, healthy that no one worried about. at 9 months I introduced her to a piece of croissant and she vomited it (I was really concerned, "lol" but our doctor really took me for a neurotic mum!). She never really took on eating foods that were "starchy" like pasta or bread, and I had to really encourage her (force her - because she kept waking me up so much at night for milk, and I wanted her to eat more food that would sustain her growth) and then, looking back that is when it all started, but I couldn't realize it at the time.

She has been complaining from tummy aches often, nausea, often displaying tonsillitis symptoms (which our doctors were not interested in), her stools have been often very runny and quite pale(this was difficult for me to realize it was maybe abnormal because I have breastfed her and health visitors told me it was normal, and I felt bad worrying about it) but hadn't had a chance to discuss it with any of our family doctors.

Her eczema has been on and off, coming worst at times, (initially I thought in April, but it became more year round), and since last November (since we moved) it is really bad, non stop all inside her arms, and in her neck... All her face (around her eyes, behind her ears) is displaying dry skin, and she had bad eczema around her mouth.

Her attitude has become again more difficult, she can sometimes be very active and sometimes very opposite with lots of complaining, very clingy again (but again I thought we moved from far, and she is growing up etc...)

I think since we moved we have been eating and maybe her especially more gluten containing food (biscuits, sandwiches, pastas...)

However, for the last 3 days I have stopped giving her foods containing flour, as it is also easier with summer: eating more fruits etc... and also tried a few gluten free substitutes, and I (am almost scared to admit it) have noticed a GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN HER ECZEMA, it is not red anymore! the skin is still very dry but it seems HEALING...

I am quite worried about the process of having it diagnosed - what does it involve?

I am worried about her, if it is celiac disease, and what she must have been suffering inside, how damaged she could be, she is bright, and happy lively little girl, it is a pity to see her suffering from eczema (I forgot to mention we have been using "eczema friendly" products since its apparition).

Also her grand-mother has crohn's disease... could it be as a result of celiac disease?

Are there some risks to start a gluten free diet?

Can celiac disease become suddenly lethal? (like in creating anaphalytic shock?)

Anything else I should consider?

[buffettbride]

Your daughter's symptoms are definitely consistent with Celiac, but it's worth taking her to a pediatric GI doctor for a thorough review of the symptoms. The doctor will probably suggest a blood panel and possibly an endoscopy to check for Celiac or other issues.

If your child does have Celiac, you don't have to worry about it escalating to something anaphylactic--but you do have to worry about malnutrition, weight loss, and her growth being inhibited.

Nothing bad will happen if you take gluten out of her diet on your own, but it is generally advisable to see a doctor first. Once a person with Celiac is off gluten for too long, the tests aren't very reliable. Also know that tests can be unreliable in children anyway. Many parents here have decided, even with a negative diagnosis, that gluten is not something they want to feed their kids, especially after many exhausting attempts at diagnosis through normal channels. There's nothing wrong with that, either.

I feel lucky because our ped. GI doctor is FANTASTIC.

[Neali]

Thank you buffettbride, I have just read a bit about endoscopy...

So children are "put to sleep" for this, is it usually done by an oral medication? or injected?

Also, the "blood panel"... how is this test performed?

(I think my little girl would have difficulties with "facing" needles...)

If the tests are indecisive in children, from what age do they seem to appear reliable?

To be honest I do not feel near taking her through all of this anytime soon, but definitely if in the next 2 - 3 weeks of trial going gluten free, if I see that eczema and tummy problems have gone, I will have to see a doctor to see what they advise/think of it.

I also was thinking at the end of the trial going gluten free, to add a "testing" period by re-introducing gluten at a "normal" rate.

A question that is maybe a bit more under the heading of this part of the forum:

Do naturopath deal with this problem? (We had many issues with traditional medecine now - although I keep a geat respect I think a different approach might be more suited to my family).

[scarlett77]

My son was under 2 years when he went through the blood panels and endoscopy to diagnose. From what I recall for the endoscopy he was given an oral medication to make him a bit drowsy/dopey and then they administered the general anesthetic. It was a very quick procedure and he was in recovery in about an hour or less. I can understand your hesitation with the procedure. It was difficult for me and my husband to put him through it. But it was necessary. Having the diagnosis and monitoring levels is a major part of keeping a Celiac healthy. Having the diagnosis will give me the support I will need when he is in school and I have to provide information and make special requests.

My son had a lot of blood work done, but that was mostly because we weren't sure what the problem was. His symptoms at the time were not exactly classic Celiac. It really shouldn't be any worse than a normal blood draw.

[buffettbride]

Sorry for the late response--yes, they are given general anesthesia. For my daughter's she was only "out" for about 20 minutes. We felt very comfortable with the process.