Celiac disease in infants. Celiac disease - symptoms. Celiac disease in adults and children - methods of treatment and diagnosis. Products approved for consumption

If the baby periodically has digestive disorders without visible reasons, it is worth checking it for celiac disease, that is, gluten intolerance. Such symptoms are typical for this disease. Currently, it is common, although it has been known to people since antiquity.

A timely diagnosis and adherence to a special diet will help improve the quality of life of the child and allow you to forget about abdominal pain and stool disorders. Although celiac disease is a lifelong disease, it does not cause complications and does not pose a threat to life.

If the parents feed the baby in a balanced way, but he still periodically has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to exclude or confirm the development of celiac disease

What is celiac disease and what causes it in children?

Celiac disease in children is a disease characterized by intolerance to gluten (a protein in cereals) associated with thinning of the mucous membrane of the small intestine. In medical terminology, celiac disease has several names - celiac disease, Guy-Herter-Heibner disease, non-tropical sprue.

The small intestine digests food, after which useful nutrients enter the body. Gliadin, contained in the protein of cereals, activates the immune system, resulting in inflammation and atrophy of intestinal tissues. The disease is incurable, but a complete rejection of gluten will not allow it to develop and completely restore the mucosa.

Celiac disease should not be confused with allergic reaction for wheat. There are completely different principles here: allergies lead to skin rashes due to the reaction of the immune system to the allergen, and with celiac disease, the human body cannot absorb the protein of cereals.

The main cause of celiac disease in children is heredity. There are categories of children who are more prone to this disorder than others, they suffer from:

type 1 diabetes mellitus (see also:);
Down's syndrome or Shereshevsky's syndrome;
autoimmune thyroid diseases;
Addison's disease;
rheumatoid arthritis (more in the article:).

Varieties and symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of celiac disease do not appear immediately after birth, but in the process of eating foods containing cereal protein. It is diagnosed mainly in children, very rarely in adults.

It can be true, that is, genetically determined, and may be a sign of other diseases (infectious, inflammatory bowel diseases, gastrointestinal anomalies). Some experts associate celiac disease with a harmful environmental background in the urban environment.

In children of the first year of life, celiac disease is typical, that is, it has all the characteristic symptoms of the disease. It appears after the introduction of gluten-containing foods into the child's diet. The first reaction makes itself felt 6-8 hours after eating.

A baby is often worried about the following symptoms:

the stool becomes frothy, has the consistency of porridge;
frequent colic, bloating;
profuse frequent regurgitation;
poor weight gain and growth, sometimes rickets;
late teething (we recommend reading:).

When sick infant spitting up constantly and profusely

Children preschool age and older suffer from:

diarrhea, constipation, bloating, excessive gas formation;
nausea, vomiting;
pain in the abdomen;
loss of appetite;
poor weight gain and height;
anemia;
skin rashes - dermatitis herpetiformis, which is accompanied by severe itching, burning and blisters in certain areas of the skin (how it looks can be seen in the photo);
problems with teeth (discoloration of the enamel, the appearance of grooves and pits, caries), thinning of the bones - this is due to poor absorption of vitamin D;
in adolescence;
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The initial stage of the disease is not always detected, it can be confused with signs of other diseases. As a rule, in infants up to 3 months, such phenomena are attributed to colic in newborns or a change in diet (for example, the introduction of a mixture).

Symptoms of pathology during life can be implicit, that is, they can be expressed by completely different signs. Then they talk about atypical form celiac disease. There are asymptomatic and latent forms of the disease that do not show any symptoms and are diagnosed only with a biopsy of the small intestine. They are detected, as a rule, in older people and come as a surprise to the subject. Sometimes the latent form of celiac disease is activated during periods of stress, pregnancy, inflammatory processes, operations.

Diagnostic methods

According to statistics, only 20% of all those suffering from this disease go to the doctor. However, a violation detected in time can significantly improve the quality of life of the patient. Diagnosis of celiac disease is carried out on the basis of the symptoms of the disease and the results of examinations that are prescribed by the therapist:

Before the diagnosis, the child must eat as usual, without avoiding foods with gluten, otherwise the results of the examination will not be reliable. This is due to the fact that the intestinal mucosa is able to quickly recover in the absence of an irritant.

Features of the treatment of children of different ages

The key to treating celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. With its observance, the child begins to fully grow and gain weight, vitamins are absorbed, bones and teeth become strong. Diet helps 70% of celiac patients, for them it will be the only and lifelong therapy.

If the diet does not help, and the health of the sick child worsens, the doctor will prescribe medications. This is due to contamination of products with traces of gluten, so the diet should be planned in conjunction with a children's nutritionist. He will tell you which foods are safe for the baby. Given the hereditary component of the disease, close relatives of a sick child should also be screened for celiac disease.

special diet

You must follow a strict gluten-free diet

The diet involves the complete exclusion from the diet of foods containing gluten:

flour, including from rye flour;
porridge - semolina, wheat, oatmeal (it is carefully introduced after some time), barley;
food colorings, preservatives;
starch;
sauces, ketchup;
sausage products;
canned meat and fish;
chocolate
ice cream, etc.

Gluten is found in some medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, lipstick, toothpaste - this must be taken into account in the treatment of other diseases.

Before using any medicine, you should warn your doctor about intolerance to cereal proteins.

Approved for use by a child:

cereals: rice, buckwheat, corn, millet;
gluten-free flour;
potatoes and other vegetables;
fruit;
eggs and dairy products;
poultry meat, low-fat varieties of fish;
jam, honey

Replacement products prohibited for celiac disease can be found in stores healthy eating. Products that do not contain gluten have a special label on the packaging and the label "gluten free". Dieting will require a high degree of responsibility from family members, because they will all have to reconsider their diet. The child himself should also know and understand the importance of dieting.

A limited diet inevitably leads to a lack of vitamins and nutrients. That is why it is worth developing a nutrition plan together with a nutritionist so that it remains complete and gives the baby everything. the right substances for growth.

Enzyme therapy

A sick child needs to restore the functions of the liver and pancreas. For this, the gastroenterologist prescribes medications containing enzymes: Pancitrate, Creon, Pancreatin and Mezim. The doctor will build a treatment regimen and duration of administration, the dosage will depend on the age of the patient.

Probiotics

Probiotics (Actimel, Linex, Bifiform, Hilak, Hilak-forte, Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Lacidofil) will help restore the intestinal microflora and remove toxic substances. They are taken as preventive courses as prescribed by a specialist and during periods of exacerbation of the disease. Probiotics can reduce the risk of complications of celiac disease and relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

vitamins

With celiac disease, there is a lack of vitamins and trace elements, in particular: calcium, folic acid, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, zinc. If a sick child cannot take oral vitamins, they will be given by injection. When taking vitamins, you need to be sure that they do not contain gluten, carefully study the instructions.

Will folk remedies help?

Folk remedies for celiac disease are used only as an addition to a gluten-free diet, when eating prohibited foods, they will not be of any benefit. They can be used to improve the condition of a small patient, while always coordinating the reception with the attending physician.

Effective various fees that activate the pancreas

Has a positive effect herbal collection from real bedstraw, two-leaved love, meadowsweet, heather, speedwell, marsh cudweed and honeysuckle. With its help, during the period of exacerbation, the work of the pancreas is normalized.

Prognosis and possible complications of the disease

The prognosis of the disease is favorable, subject to a gluten-free diet and all the recommendations of a specialist. Children with this diagnosis are more prone to pneumococcal infections than others, so they are advised to vaccinate in accordance with the vaccination schedule.

In general, a constant diet has a beneficial effect on health, which in patients with celiac disease after the restoration of the intestinal mucosa is even better than in other, “healthy” people who eat fast food and other junk food. The prognosis for those children who continue to consume foods containing gluten is unfavorable:

assimilation is disturbed nutrients from food, a person receives less vital vitamins and microelements, which inevitably leads to anemia, weight loss, growth disorders;
the child’s body does not receive enough calcium and vitamin D, rickets and softening become a natural result bone tissue, osteoporosis;
reproductive function suffers, the likelihood of infertility is high;
irritation of the small intestine leads to the fact that the child's body ceases to absorb not only gluten, but also lactose, that is, all dairy products;
an advanced form of celiac disease provokes neurological disorders, seizures;
Constant inflammation and thinning of the intestinal mucosa can lead to certain types of cancer.

(gluten enteropathy, non-tropical sprue) is a genetic disease with an autosomal dominant type of inheritance, which is characterized by morphological, immunological and enzymatic disorders of the small intestinal mucosa and is manifested by intolerance to gluten, one of the components of cereal protein.

The frequency of celiac disease ranges from 1 case per 300 inhabitants in Ireland to 1.5 per 10,000 in New Zealand. There is a tendency to increase the incidence of this pathology from 1.7 per 1000 to 3.5 per 1000 in Sweden, which is explained by the increase in the content of gluten in children's products.

Causes of celiac disease in children

AT causes of celiac disease genetic predisposition plays a role. These patients have a high frequency of detection of histocompatibility antigens according to the NLA system. The mechanism of development of celiac disease is still not clear enough. There are 2 points of view: 1 - in patients with celiac disease there is no specific peptidase, as a result of which gluten and peptides are not hydrolyzed and toxic peptides accumulate in the mucosa; 2 - gluten and its metabolites cause an immunopathological reaction in the intestinal mucosa.

Symptoms of celiac disease in children

The disease has a chronic undulating course. Celiac disease is more common in children in the second half of life, 1-2 weeks after the introduction of complementary foods containing gluten. The clinic develops gradually with an increase in anorexia, lethargy, dyspeptic phenomena.

The child is dystrophic, and growth retardation is also characteristic. Draws attention to a large abdomen, thin limbs, muscle hypotension. The chair is quickened up to 4-6 times a day or more, frothy, acholic, grayish, shiny.

celiac disease, like all hereditary diseases, is characterized by polymorphism. From the side gastrointestinal tract- abdominal pain, possible transient constipation, hepatomegaly and liver dysfunction, biliary dyskinesia, pancreatic damage (pathological amylase curves). On the part of the skin - itching, atopic dermatitis. Damage to the skeletal system - osteoporosis, pathological fractures, a clinic of a rickets-like disease. From the side nervous system- convulsions, tetany, paresthesia, ataxia.

Symptoms of celiac disease in children on the part of the endocrine system - insufficiency of the function of the adrenal cortex, low blood pressure, skin hyperpigmentation, polydipsia, polyuria. Violations in the blood coagulation system - nosebleeds, gastrointestinal, renal. Violation of the absorption of proteins, vitamins, trace elements leads to hypoproteinemia and edema, ascites, persistent anemia, impaired twilight vision.

Depending on the prevalence of certain syndromes, several clinical forms of celiac disease are distinguished: with bone disorders (rickets-like), edematous, anemic, hemorrhagic, septic and erased.

Diagnosis of celiac disease in children

Celiac disease is usually associated with disaccharidase deficiency. In the coprogram of patients with celiac disease, the content of fatty acids, soaps, starch, and undigested fiber is increased. Excretion of D-xylose with urine sharply decreases. Radiographically, there is a picture resembling paralytic ileus - fluid levels in the intestines, combined with a sharp swelling of the intestinal loops. The relief of the mucous membrane of the small intestine is smeared, sometimes until the complete disappearance of the kerkring folds. The morphological substrate of celiac disease is flattening of the mucosa, smoothing of the relief, atrophy of the villi, hyperplasia (elongation) of the crypts, infiltration of the intestinal mucosa by plasma cells and eosinophils. The intestinal mucosa at celiac disease in children damaged by immune mechanisms, as evidenced by an increased content of immunoglobulins E, M, as well as the detection of specific antigliadin antibodies (Ig A) in the blood of patients.

Criteria diagnosis of celiac disease, according to the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterologists, are: a carefully collected history, impaired intestinal absorption, a change in the histological picture of the mucosa of the small intestine and duodenum 12, clinical and histological normalization of the intestinal mucosa with a gluten-free diet (not earlier than 6-12 months from the onset treatment), relapse of the clinical and histological picture after the reintroduction of gluten into food, an increased amount of anti-gluten antibodies in the blood.

Treatment of celiac disease in children

main method treatment of celiac disease in children is a diet with the exclusion of all products containing gluten (flour and cereals from cereal grains - wheat, rye, oats, barley). Sour-milk products, meat, eggs, vegetables (potatoes, carrots), bread products and cereals from corn, buckwheat, fruits are allowed.

Treatment of celiac disease in the period of exacerbation - a tea-unloading diet, partial or complete parenteral nutrition in children of the first year of life. This diet is prescribed even with an asymptomatic course of the disease and must be observed throughout the life of the patient. It must be remembered that even 100 mg of wheat flour taken daily causes pronounced morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa. To increase the amount of protein, protein enpit can be used. With an exacerbation of the disease, enzymes and vitamins (A.E, B, C, D, K, folic acid), according to indications - iron preparations, plasma transfusions, albumin, anabolic hormones, glucocorticoids in a short course (10-14 days).

Celiac disease in children is a hereditary disease that affects the intestinal mucosa due to gluten intolerance, which in in large numbers found in cereals. Often, this ailment develops in children from the age of two, while the signs are mild, but as the disease progresses, they become more pronounced. In some cases, the first symptoms can be noticed in an infant who has an intolerance cow's milk. After the exclusion from the diet of foods containing gluten protein, the condition improves and returns to normal within a year.

The exact reasons for the progression of this disease in children have not been established, but it is believed that predisposing factors are genetic predisposition, autoimmune diseases that carry Negative influence on the intestinal mucosa, some varieties viral infections. The main manifestations of this syndrome are considered to be - lack of appetite and weight loss, liquid and foamy feces, an increase in the volume of the abdomen, growth retardation and sexual development.

Diagnosis of the disease is based on laboratory studies of feces and blood, intestinal biopsy and instrumental examinations of the child. The treatment of this syndrome is based on following a special diet, taking a vitamin complex and enzymes to improve performance. digestive system. Without timely treatment, the disease can cause disability or death of the child.

Etiology

The main cause of gluten intolerance syndrome is genetic disorders that create favorable conditions for damage to the structure of the intestinal mucosa when eating certain cereals. There are several favorable factors contributing to the development of the disease:

the presence of a similar disorder in close relatives;
autoimmune diseases of the thyroid or pancreas, against which the immune system attacks its own cells;
an inflammatory process in the intestine, due to which an accumulation of lymphocytes occurs in the cells of this organ;
a wide range;
prolonged impact on the child of stressful situations;
complications after surgical intervention, for example, after deleting .

However, the exact causes of the formation of the disease in children are not fully known.

Varieties

In modern medicine, there are several forms of celiac disease in children:

typical - there are violations of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and intolerance to any dairy products;
atypical - the symptoms of the disease may not appear at all;
hidden - in most cases proceeds without expressing any signs;
latent - manifestations of the disease are completely absent. Diagnosis is carried out by examining blood and stool tests;
refractory - accompanied by pronounced symptoms. It differs from other forms in that if the diet is followed, there is no improvement in the child's condition. This causes disability or death.

Symptoms

The primary manifestation of the syndrome is not expressed immediately. In infants, signs begin to occur with the introduction of complementary foods, when gluten-containing foods are added to the diet. The symptoms of the disease in babies up to a year make themselves felt more clearly - starting from eight months. Some children character traits occur around three years of age.

signs this disorder in children under two years of age:

liquid feces containing particles of fat, foam. Often have a persistent unpleasant odor;
an increase in the volume of the abdomen;
bouts of nausea ending in vomiting;
lag in growth and weight gain from healthy peers;
constant tearfulness and agitation of the child;
delay in psychomotor development - children later than others begin to hold their heads on their own, show interest in new toys and people, crawl and walk.

Symptoms of the disease in children older than two years and adolescents:

diarrhea, changing;
pallor of the skin;
increased fatigue;
delayed puberty. In girls, menstruation may begin by the age of fifteen or later. There is insufficient development of the mammary glands;
growth retardation - in girls it does not exceed 155 cm, in young people - 165 cm;
allergic reactions - the appearance of a characteristic rash on the skin;
- there is a decrease in bone density. It occurs in half of children diagnosed with celiac disease. After the elimination of cereals, restoration of bone density is observed. The whole process takes no more than one year. In some cases, it can become a factor in the occurrence of disability;
increased hair loss.

Complications

With late diagnosis and treatment of the disease, as well as non-compliance with the diet, there is a possibility of developing the following complications:

the persistence of the symptoms of this disorder even when all the rules regarding nutrition are followed;
the formation of ulcers of the small intestine;
infertility - observed with a severe course of the disease;
lack of vitamins in the body;
significant mental and mental retardation in development;
increased likelihood of oncology of the digestive tract;
frequent bone fractures or disability - against the background of a decrease in bone density;
death - with the rapid development and severe course of celiac disease in children under two years of age.

By following a gluten-free diet throughout your life, many of the above effects can be avoided.

Diagnostics

The specialist establishes the primary diagnosis on the basis of an examination of the patient, clarification possible causes the formation of diseases, the presence and intensity of certain symptoms. Inspection includes measurement of indicators of growth and body weight, palpation of the abdomen. The main value in the diagnosis of celiac disease in children is played by laboratory tests:

blood - general and biochemical;
microscopic and bacteriological examination of feces;
genetic tests.

Instrumental methods for confirming the diagnosis include an intestinal biopsy, during which a small piece of the mucous membrane is taken for subsequent detailed examination. FGDS - allows a specialist to examine and evaluate the structural state of the digestive tract. Ultrasound of organs abdominal cavity- to search for and confirm the presence of intestinal damage, digestive disorders. Densitometry - allows you to find out the density of bone tissue.

In addition, consultation with an allergist-immunologist is necessary. Some specialists during the diagnosis ask not to give the child foods containing gluten for several days, after which they repeat some tests and assess the general condition of the patient. When the indicators change for the better, the diagnosis "" is established with accuracy.

Treatment

Treatment for celiac disease in children necessarily involves a lifelong avoidance of gluten-containing cereals such as wheat, barley and rye. Completely exclude semolina, pasta and bakery products based on flour from the above cereals. In addition, it is worth limiting the use of sausages, smoked meats, ice cream, chocolate, various sauces, ketchups and mayonnaises, coffee and cocoa, canned food. This is due to the fact that they may also contain this protein. It is allowed to take products made from rice and cornmeal, as well as potatoes, fish, meat and fruits. With proper nutrition, the first improvements are visible after a month - a complete restoration of the intestinal mucosa occurs throughout the year.

In addition, the treatment of this syndrome is aimed at eliminating symptoms that are not associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Often, patients are prescribed:

drugs to increase hemoglobin levels;
medicines containing calcium and vitamin D - necessary for strengthening bone tissue. Normalization of bone density is achieved in about a year. Otherwise, increased bone fragility can lead to disability;
vitamin complexes.

If necessary, prescribe courses of therapy with a psychotherapist. With timely and proper treatment, the prognosis of the disease is favorable.

Prevention

There is no specific prevention of celiac disease in children, it is only necessary to follow a diet throughout life, and in the future to give up bad habits - drinking alcohol and smoking. To confirm the hereditary factor and the presence of predisposing factors, you need to undergo regular examinations by specialists - at least twice a year. If the first signs of the syndrome occur, contact a medical facility immediately. The sooner treatment begins, the higher the likelihood of complete recovery and no undesirable consequences including disability and death.

Is everything correct in the article from a medical point of view?

Answer only if you have proven medical knowledge

celiac disease- a disease in which there is a persistent indigestion caused by a violation of the absorption process in small intestine carbohydrates and fats due to intolerance to gluten (gliadin) - the gluten protein of some cereals: wheat, oats, rye, barley.

information Patients are diagnosed with a deficiency in the enzymatic systems of cells in the intestines that are involved in the breakdown of the gluten peptide. At the same time, antibodies against gliadin are produced in the human body.

Celiac disease usually develops in children two to three years of age. The symptoms of the disease are almost imperceptible at first, but then the disease progresses, the child begins to lose weight, lag behind his peers in growth. In some cases, the first signs of a violation can be seen even in infants who are intolerant to cow's milk.

Modern studies have established that 0.5-1% of the total population are prone to developing celiac disease, which is millions of people on a global scale.

The reasons

The exact causes of celiac disease in children have so far been definitively not installed. There are the following versions of the origin of this disease:

hereditary predisposition- the main suspected cause of the onset of the disease. Scientists believe that gluten intolerance occurs due to damage to human genes that are responsible for susceptibility to this substance;
autoimmune theory- it is assumed that due to the impact of the products of the breakdown of the protein of cereal crops, persistent irritation of the intestinal walls occurs. Damaged cells are attacked by the human immune system;
viral theory: arose due to the fact that antibodies to some varieties of adenovirus infection (for example, to "intestinal flu") were found in the blood of patients.

Symptoms of celiac disease in children

Children with celiac disease experience the following: symptoms:

loss of appetite, insufficient weight gain;
increased weakness, fatigue;
pallor of the skin;
anemia ( low level hemoglobin), muscle hypotension;
increased size of the abdomen - observed due to flatulence and an increase in the fluid content in the intestinal loops;
growth retardation: in the absence of treatment, the height of girls may not exceed 155 cm, and boys - 165 cm;
prolonged diarrhea (diarrhea);
nausea, vomiting;
delayed sexual development: lack of menstruation in girls under 15 years of age, insufficient development of the mammary glands;
dermatitis herpetiformis - the appearance of a rash on the skin in the form of bubbles or spots, severe itching of the affected areas;
osteoporosis - increased bone fragility: occurs in 50% of children with celiac disease. The disease occurs due to a violation of the process of absorption of minerals in the digestive tract in celiac disease.

When gluten-containing foods are eliminated from the child's diet, bone density is restored to normal levels. within one year.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of celiac disease can be confirmed using the following methods:

coprogram - with the help of this study, you can set the level of fatty acids in the feces;
blood chemistry ;
intestinal colonoscopy;
X-ray of bones - performed in order to determine the density of bone tissue;
analysis of biopsies of the mucous membrane of the small intestine.

In addition, for the purpose of definitively establishing the analysis, the doctor may recommend that parents exclude products, containing gluten, from the child's diet, for several days. If after two or three days the baby's condition improves significantly, and the unpleasant symptoms from the digestive system disappear, then cereal protein intolerance is really present.

Treatment of celiac disease in a child

The main treatment for celiac disease in children is complete elimination of food from the diet that contain gluten. These cereals are wheat, oats, rye and barley.

additionally Please note that some finished products (for example, tomato sauce) offered by the food industry may contain wheat flour in small quantities, and even a small amount of gluten food can harm the child. Therefore, when buying food products, it is necessary to carefully study the composition of the ingredients on the packaging.

Instead of wheat or rye bread, the child's diet includes baked goods made from rice, buckwheat, corn or soy flour. Unfortunately, far from all settlements you can find such products for sale - in this case, you will have to cook gluten-free food. on one's own.

In addition to following a gluten-free diet, the following methods are used in the treatment of celiac disease:

restriction in the diet of fatty foods;
prescription of vitamins;
additional intake of drugs containing enzymes and minerals: pancreatin, methionine, calcium glycerophosphate, enteroseptol - this helps to normalize the digestive process and replenish the deficiency of minerals in the body;
prescribing probiotics- drugs that contribute to the restoration of intestinal microflora.

information It should not be considered that a gluten-free diet is the consumption of tasteless foods. Potatoes, rice, cornmeal products, honey, fruits, vegetables, milk, low-fat cottage cheese, fish, and meat can be included in the diet in sufficient quantities.

From fats, preference should be given to products plant origin .

Complications

In case of late detection diseases and lack of treatment in children, there are such serious disorders as a significant stunting, a tendency to fractures of bones, arthritis, anemia, and a decrease in immunity.

Subject to a gluten-free diet, the appearance of the above complications can be avoided.

Prevention of celiac disease

Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent celiac disease, since the specified disease develops under the influence of a hereditary factor or under the influence of autoimmune disorders.

Preventive measures can only be constant monitoring of the health of the baby in order to timely detect suspicious symptoms, which will avoid the occurrence of a serious indigestion and metabolic disorders.

Effects

If a child is diagnosed with celiac disease, he will have to follow a gluten-free diet. throughout life. Even 10-20 years ago it was quite difficult, but now food industry offers a wide range of gluten-free food products. If such goods are not available in the trade establishments of one or another locality You can order them online or cook your own food. The main thing in the treatment of celiac disease is to prevent the baby from eating prohibited foods, even occasionally, so as not to provoke an exacerbation of the disease.

Often, children are diagnosed with celiac disease, frightening and leading to a stupor of parents. This is a chronic disease characterized by congenital or acquired gluten intolerance.

This is the name of a vegetable protein found in certain cereals (rye, wheat, barley, oats). It irritates the intestinal walls and disrupts its work, and other organs of a small organism are also under attack. To cope with the disease, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms of celiac disease in time and take appropriate measures. How to do it?

The difficulty is that the symptoms of gluten intolerance do not appear immediately from birth, but much later. Those who are on breastfeeding, they develop only with the introduction of foods containing gluten into the diet. Clearly, symptoms appear most often at the age of 7–8 months, although in some cases the disease lurks inside the body for up to 2–3 years. You can recognize it by the following features:

underweight;
slow growth;
irascibility, irritability, whims, are abruptly replaced by indifference and lethargy;
change in stool: the smell of stool becomes unbearably unpleasant, over time, the amount of feces increases, which becomes mushy and foamy;
abdominal pain is dull, paroxysmal in nature;
rickets (see) develops due to a lack of calcium, which is unable to be absorbed by the intestines;
delay in teething, caries of newly appeared teeth;
edema;
intolerance to cow's milk protein.

These are typical signs of celiac disease, but the disease is so unpredictable in each case that it sometimes manifests itself in atypical symptoms. These can be stomatitis, arthritis, anemia, dermatitis, increased thirst, frequent urge to urinate, weakness, fatigue, baldness. The first alarm signals come after gluten-containing foods are introduced into the child's diet. Timely access to a doctor is a guarantee quick treatment and the possibility of avoiding unfortunate consequences.

Diagnosis of the disease

Until now, the diagnosis of celiac disease in children does not have a clear algorithm. The diagnosis is determined on the basis of:

blood test;
clinical manifestations;
coprogram results (fecal analysis);
results of colonoscopy (examination of the intestinal wall with a special camera);
biopsy of the intestinal mucosa;
x-ray examination of the intestine;
Abdominal ultrasound.

The earlier the disease was detected, the faster the doctors, together with the parents, will be able to alleviate the patient. Proper and timely treatment will help return it to a full-fledged lifestyle.

Treatment of childhood celiac disease

As a rule, the treatment of celiac disease in children involves several areas, but one of them is the most decisive and important, without which there will be no recovery. This is a special diet that excludes foods containing gluten.

1. Diet therapy

A gluten-free diet for celiac disease in children is a fundamental aspect in the treatment of the disease. The exclusion of gluten from the child's menu eliminates its destructive effect on the intestinal walls. As a result, the symptoms of the disease disappear. The diet prohibits the following foods from being included in the diet:

any products and dishes made from oats, rye, wheat, barley;
pasta;
bread;
cookie;
cake;
cakes;
ice cream;
yogurts;
meat semi-finished products;
sausages;
sauces;
canned food;
whole milk (optional)

Allowed products include:

potato;
buckwheat;
fish;
corn;
cottage cheese;
vegetables and fruits;
legumes;
lean meat;
vegetable oil.

Proper nutrition in celiac disease is the key to the health of a child suffering from this disease.

2. Enzyme therapy

It is prescribed during an exacerbation to facilitate the work of the pancreas and liver. The preparations, the treatment regimen and the duration of the course are selected by the gastroenterologist. Most often, Pancitrate, Creon, Pancreatin, Mezim are prescribed.

3. Probiotic therapy

Probiotics - drugs to restore the normal intestinal microflora: Hilak, Hilak-forte, Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Lacidophil. They are prescribed for preventive courses and during exacerbations.

4. Vitamin therapy

Needed to compensate for the lack of vitamins and trace elements, the absorption of which by the body with celiac disease is disturbed. The use of vitamins is determined by a balanced, proper nutrition, as well as the use of multivitamin complexes for children, which are selected by the doctor.

Celiac disease in children is far from the worst disease, but it requires constant, strict adherence to a diet that will allow them to live a full life.