Coeliac disease

Paediatric coeliac disease is common; affecting 1 in 100 children in the majority of European countries and in some countries, as many as 3 in 100. Most children, however, have not been diagnosed. In children, diagnosing coeliac disease as early as possible is essential for ensuring optimal growth, development and symptom management.

Coeliac disease is a frequent and lifelong autoimmune condition, caused by an abnormal reaction to gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley and rye – grains that are common in the European diet. It can occur at any age, including in babies when weaning once gluten has been introduced to their diet, in children and in adolescence. When a child with coeliac disease eats gluten, his or her immune system reacts by damaging the lining of the small intestine.

There are many serious associated health complications if coeliac disease is left undiagnosed, including impaired weight gain and growth problems, delayed puberty, irondeficiency anaemia, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis and an increased risk of additional autoimmune diseases. The lack of awareness of coeliac disease, in both members of the public and healthcare professionals, means that the diagnosed cases of the disease only represent a small fraction of the total number of people affected. A significant challenge in recognising coeliac disease is the variation in the presentation and intensity of symptoms. In many cases, coeliac disease may even occur without any symptoms. As well as encompassing children that present common coeliac disease symptoms, programmes must therefore facilitate effective diagnoses in children with a less clear clinical picture.

For more information:

Espghan.org. (n.d.). Paediatric Coeliac Disease. [online] Available at: http://www.espghan.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Endorsed_Events/Paediatric_Coeliac_Disease_Manifesto_FINAL_30.04.pdf [Accessed 25 Mar. 2019].