Celiac W/newborn

[celiacmama]

Hi! I have celiac disease (diagnosed in June '04) and am also a new mom. My son is only 3 mo. old and our pediatrician told us that they typically cannot test children for celiac disease until they are 2 years old. I'm concerned that once he's on solids (which is well before 2 yrs) and he ingests gluten, that it may cause him problems. I'm interested to know if any of you have a young child with celiac disease. If so, when did you have him/her tested? What has your experience been with your child's docs? Should I find a pediatric gastro doc? I want to give my son as much protection from gluten (if he needs it) and teach him the right way to eat as early as possible. Thanks!

[KaitiUSA]

Usually testing below the age of 2 is inaccurate. When he starts with solid foods keep an eye and see if there are any noticeable reactions and when he is old enough get him tested.

[lovegrov]

Your pediatrician is right. Celiac blood tests are not as accurate in children under 2, and before a certain age (which would be different in different children) would be completely useless.

Most experts these days would say that you should allow your child to eat gluten the same time any other child would eat it. In fact, some recent research (which I can't find the link to) suggests that children who either eat gluten real early or who are delayed past about 12 months, are actually more likely to develop celiac.

richard

[Jnkmnky]

I thought the research said that introducing grains between 4 and 6 months could trigger gluten sensitivity? I can't keep up.

[lbsteenwyk]

Yes, a recent study suggests that the best time to introduce gluten to minimize the possibility of developing celiac disease is between 4-6 months of age. There is also evidence that breastfeeding well past the introduction of gluten can have a beneficial impact. If you are breastfeeding, I would suggest continuing for at least 1 year (which is recommended anyway by the American Academy of Pediatrics) to supplement your child as solids are introduced.

[lovegrov]

Four to six months, that's the timeframe I was trying to think of. Anyway, there's seems to be little doubt that most researchers believe that keeping a child from gluten (unless you know they have celiac disease) is more likely to trigger celiac disease once they do eat it -- and eventually they will.

richard

[aidansmom]

My son had "typical" celiac disease symptoms. He had lots of tummy problems as an infant - reflux, gassy, rashes, etc - but he did grow on the growth curve. I breastfed and started solids at 6 months. Then he started slowing down on growth and completely stopped growing at 9 months. From 6 months until he was diagnosed at 14 months, he would have loose stools 6-7x/day. I was a first time mom and it took me several months to realize that this was not normal. I had to push him through the system. My dr. kept saying that he was normal. Even though he eventually dropped from 50% to 3% on the growth charts.

I also have a 3 month old and I'm breastfeeding and ingesting gluten. Our dr. suggested getting the genetic test in the meantime. We plan to give him gluten at 6 months and watch for the diarrhea and growth.

By the way, gluten DOES go through breastmilk. My son would have severe reactions if I ate a french fry that was contaminated from the oil.

Congrats on your little one!! I hope he stays Celiac free.

[Merika]

I was diagnosed with celiac when my ds was almost 2 yrs. At first, everything with my ds stayed the same. But I realized I could not (would not) prepare gluten foods for him and also have crumbs and sticky gluten fingers all over the house. In addition, he was having some allergy symptoms/possible slight celiac symptoms, so he went gluten-free.

If your child seems perfectly healthy, just introduce foods like you normally would (when he gets old enough) and watch. Personally, I would be tempted to only feed him gluten-free when he's with you and around the house until he's much older. Let the dad, and other friends and relatives feed him gluten foods when they go out. Little kids are MESSY, and they should be but there is no need to gluten yourself by accident just so they can eat gluten. It's not necessary for humans to eat gluten!

Merika