Does It Sound Like My 2 Yo Daughter Has Celiac Or Gluten Intolerance?

[JenC]

I just realized that DD hasn't grown in the past four months at least, maybe longer. She was born in over the 80th % for height and weight, but is below 15% now. She is allergic to soy and dairy. She has had terrible dental decay, resulting in having to have the top four front teeth pulled. She has always slept terribly. Worse when she consumes dairy or soy, but in general, awful. As in, will not sleep without me there, wakes up every 20 minutes to 2 hours (ONE time slept 8 hours straight, ever). Her stool frequently has undigested food, is extremely foul smelling and irregular in frequency and consistency. She always has bags under her eyes and is frequently congested.

Does this sound like celiac or gluten intolerance? I have Hashimoto's disease and am going in to be tested for food allergies and celiac next week. We have an appointment with a new ped next week. Should I be pushing for testing for her as well?

Thank you so much for any responses you could provide. I'm so worried.

[IrishHeart]

YES!!! to Celiac testing.! (not sure what allergy testing will do for you)

Dairy and soy intolerances (not necessarily allergies) often occur secondary to celiac.

For example, I have a soy intolerance (IgG), but I am NOT allergic to soybeans. (IgE)

All of her symptoms seem like a gluten intolerance to me.

I am sure you know the differences between allergies and intolerance and celiac, right?? so I won't belabor it for you--but an "allergy" doesn't cause stunted growth, undigested fat, dental enamel defects, insomnia in a small child. Two years old and having teeth pulled?? Celiac, however, can.

I would have her --and yourself--blood tested for celiac by a knowledgable doctor ASAP. Best wishes, hon!!

[tarnalberry]

The dental issues strongly suggest that you should have her tested (and possibly *try* a gluten-free diet and see how she does).

[Mummyto3]

Sounds like it could be coeliac. My daughter tested positive. She's been suffering with constipation since Dec. Or so we thought. She is impacted and soils yet she's regular, 3-4 times a day. Her stools alternate from soft to hard every time she goes. Her other symptoms tend to come on in the evening, stomach pain, dizziness, nausea, headaches/migraines etc. I haven't examined her teeth as yet. She also has a bloated tummy all the time.

BTW she is tall for her age and of the right weight but she looks underweight (muscles wasting perhaps?).

[anna34]

Yes, get her tested for celiac.

My DD had many of the same symptoms (lack of weight gain, dental enamel decay, poor sleep, bags under eyes...) but wasn't diagnosed until age 5. She started out with those symptoms and then developed the bloated/distended belly and terrible abdominal pain, and anemia which prompted the celiac testing.

I was told that anemia is pretty common in young children with celiac, so perhaps suggest to your doctor that her iron level be checked as well.

[suziq0805]

  On 6/24/2011 at 4:13 PM, JenC said:

I just realized that DD hasn't grown in the past four months at least, maybe longer. She was born in over the 80th % for height and weight, but is below 15% now. She is allergic to soy and dairy. She has had terrible dental decay, resulting in having to have the top four front teeth pulled. She has always slept terribly. Worse when she consumes dairy or soy, but in general, awful. As in, will not sleep without me there, wakes up every 20 minutes to 2 hours (ONE time slept 8 hours straight, ever). Her stool frequently has undigested food, is extremely foul smelling and irregular in frequency and consistency. She always has bags under her eyes and is frequently congested.

Does this sound like celiac or gluten intolerance? I have Hashimoto's disease and am going in to be tested for food allergies and celiac next week. We have an appointment with a new ped next week. Should I be pushing for testing for her as well?

Thank you so much for any responses you could provide. I'm so worried.

Testing couldn't hurt. But do know that testing at this age isn't totally accurate. My 14 month old is possible celiac. We're trying to figure out what testing to do and when right now. My son has undigested food in every dirty daiper...mention that to your doctor also. My son is having levels of pancreas enzymes tested. He doesn't digest vegetables, brown rice or raisins...so things that have a bit of "skin" on them. But he also doesn't chew all the time. He LOVES to eat so he literally just inhales sometimes! Maybe watch to see if she's chewing. Our doctor said if he's not chewing then he could end up with food in the daiper.