Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTestingDietFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Testing
Diet
Frequently Asked Questions
Babies and toddlers susceptible toceliac diseasecan begin showing related symptoms as soon as they’ve been introduced to gluten-containing foods.
Getty Images / Tom Merton
Sometimes celiac disease symptoms can be similar to other conditions, like gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance is a sensitivity to gluten, while celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own healthy tissues, causing intestinal damage.
Unfortunately, it may be hard to tell. There are some key celiac symptoms you should discuss with your pediatrician, especially if either parent has a family history of celiac disease. This article covers them, as well as what causes celiac, how it is diagnosed, and what the treatment options are.
Celiac Disease Symptoms in Babies and Toddlers
Symptoms of celiac disease in infants and toddlers include:
What Is Celiac Disease?Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease and digestive disorder. Foods with the protein gluten trigger your white blood cells, causing damage to your small intestine lining. Digestive symptoms are more common in children than adults.
What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease and digestive disorder. Foods with the protein gluten trigger your white blood cells, causing damage to your small intestine lining. Digestive symptoms are more common in children than adults.
Failure to Thrive
When most people think ofceliac disease symptoms, they think of diarrhea. Diarrhea is common in children before they’re diagnosed, although it’s far from a universal celiac symptom.But while some infants and toddlers have diarrhea, they’re more likely to have what’s called “failure to thrive.”
Failure to thrive describes infants and children who don’t gain weight or develop as quickly as their peers. Babies with failure to thrive may have a weight that is lower than the 3rd percentile of standard growth charts, or 20% below the ideal weight for their height, and they may have a smaller head circumference.
They also may exhibit normal growth that then slows or even stops, and they may start to lose weight instead of gaining it.
In addition to slowing or stalled growth, infants with failure to thrive may miss developmental milestones for such physical abilities as rolling over, sitting, standing, and walking, and they may exhibit delayed mental and social skills.
Swollen, Sore Tummy
In some cases, failure to thrive is the only sign of celiac disease in an infant or very young child. But there are other possible indications, even though not all babies will have these symptoms.
With celiac disease, gluten causes white blood cells to attack the intestinalvilli. These are finger-like projections that line the small intestine and absorb nutrients. Celiac disease erodes this lining so the body can’t absorb the nutrients that your child needs to grow.
It isn’t entirely clear what causes people to have celiac disease. However, genetics do play a role, since celiac disease runs in families.
Celiac disease almost always occurs in those who have a gene variant, either DQ2 or DQ8. Those who don’t have one of these gene variants are unlikely to get celiac disease. However, only 3% of people with one of those variants actually get celiac disease.
Researchers are looking into other factors that can cause celiac disease. One study found that higher gluten intake during a child’s first five years may increase the risk for those who also have the gene variants.
How Babies Are Tested for Celiac Disease
If your pediatrician agrees that celiac is a possibility, she most likely will refer your child for blood tests that screen for celiac disease.
In an endoscopy, the gastroenterologist takes samples of the intestinal lining to look for a type of intestinal damage calledvillous atrophythat’s found in celiac disease. Although the blood tests can provide a very good indication of whether celiac is present, an endoscopy is the only way to know for certain.
You should discuss with your pediatrician whether an endoscopy is necessary in your child’s case.
Diet for Babies With Celiac Disease
To manage celiac disease, it’s important to eliminate gluten from your child’s diet. This can be challenging since it’s found in many different foods. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a dietitian to help you learn what foods to avoid.
Some general tips for eliminating gluten include:
A single exposure to gluten probably won’t cause symptoms. The small intestine’s lining renews itself every three to four days, and new cells will replace the damaged ones. However, continuous exposure to gluten will start to cause damage to the intestines.
A Word From Verywell
Possibly. Research shows that breast milk does contain gliadin, the part of gluten that’s harmful when you have celiac disease. However, it’s in very small quantities that aren’t likely to cause issues.
It’s possible, but this usually only happens in older teens and adults.
Symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, and a distended stomach.
No. They can be born with genes that make them susceptible to celiac disease, but the condition doesn’t develop until after they’ve had exposure to gluten.
Celiac disease often causes issues such as poor appetite, short stature, and weight loss. This can be problematic for kids born prematurely who maystill be be “catching up” in terms of their growth and development.Your healthcare provider will closely monitor your child to ensure that they stay on track.
Celiac disease often causes issues such as poor appetite, short stature, and weight loss. This can be problematic for kids born prematurely who may
still be be “catching up” in terms of their growth and development.
Your healthcare provider will closely monitor your child to ensure that they stay on track.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.Giannattasio A, Guarino A, Lo vecchio A.Management of children with prolonged diarrhea.F1000Res. 2016;5. doi:10.12688/f1000research.7469.1Garnier-lengliné H, Cerf-bensussan N, Ruemmele FM.Celiac disease in children.Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2015;39(5):544-51. doi:10.1016/j.clinre.2015.05.024Celiac Disease Foundation.Does Your Child Have Celiac Disease?Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of celiac disease.Andrén Aronsson C, Lee H-S, Hård af Segerstad EM, et al.Association of gluten intake during the first 5 years of life with incidence of celiac disease autoimmunity and celiac disease among children at increased risk.JAMA. 2019;322(6):514. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10329Guandalini S.The approach to Celiac Disease in children.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2017;4(3):124-127. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2017.08.002National Celiac Association.Does gluten transfer to breastmilk?Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.The signs and symptoms of gluten sensitivity.Massachusetts General Hospital.What is celiac disease?Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.Hill ID, Lee AR.Patient education: Celiac disease in children (Beyond the Basics).UpToDate.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Celiac disease.Additional ReadingKuloğlu Z. et al.Celiac disease: presentation of 109 children. Yonsei Medical Journal. 2009 Oct 31;50(5):617-23. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2009.50.5.617. Epub 2009 Oct 20.Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia.Failure to Thrive.Rubio-Tapia A. et al.ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013 May;108(5):656-76; quiz 677. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2013.79. Epub 2013 Apr 23.Westerbeek E. et al.Coeliac disease diagnosed at Starship Children’s Hospital: 1999-2002. New Zealand Medical Journal. 2005 Aug 12;118(1220): U1613.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.Giannattasio A, Guarino A, Lo vecchio A.Management of children with prolonged diarrhea.F1000Res. 2016;5. doi:10.12688/f1000research.7469.1Garnier-lengliné H, Cerf-bensussan N, Ruemmele FM.Celiac disease in children.Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2015;39(5):544-51. doi:10.1016/j.clinre.2015.05.024Celiac Disease Foundation.Does Your Child Have Celiac Disease?Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of celiac disease.Andrén Aronsson C, Lee H-S, Hård af Segerstad EM, et al.Association of gluten intake during the first 5 years of life with incidence of celiac disease autoimmunity and celiac disease among children at increased risk.JAMA. 2019;322(6):514. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10329Guandalini S.The approach to Celiac Disease in children.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2017;4(3):124-127. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2017.08.002National Celiac Association.Does gluten transfer to breastmilk?Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.The signs and symptoms of gluten sensitivity.Massachusetts General Hospital.What is celiac disease?Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.Hill ID, Lee AR.Patient education: Celiac disease in children (Beyond the Basics).UpToDate.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Celiac disease.Additional ReadingKuloğlu Z. et al.Celiac disease: presentation of 109 children. Yonsei Medical Journal. 2009 Oct 31;50(5):617-23. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2009.50.5.617. Epub 2009 Oct 20.Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia.Failure to Thrive.Rubio-Tapia A. et al.ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013 May;108(5):656-76; quiz 677. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2013.79. Epub 2013 Apr 23.Westerbeek E. et al.Coeliac disease diagnosed at Starship Children’s Hospital: 1999-2002. New Zealand Medical Journal. 2005 Aug 12;118(1220): U1613.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.Giannattasio A, Guarino A, Lo vecchio A.Management of children with prolonged diarrhea.F1000Res. 2016;5. doi:10.12688/f1000research.7469.1Garnier-lengliné H, Cerf-bensussan N, Ruemmele FM.Celiac disease in children.Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2015;39(5):544-51. doi:10.1016/j.clinre.2015.05.024Celiac Disease Foundation.Does Your Child Have Celiac Disease?Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of celiac disease.Andrén Aronsson C, Lee H-S, Hård af Segerstad EM, et al.Association of gluten intake during the first 5 years of life with incidence of celiac disease autoimmunity and celiac disease among children at increased risk.JAMA. 2019;322(6):514. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10329Guandalini S.The approach to Celiac Disease in children.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2017;4(3):124-127. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2017.08.002National Celiac Association.Does gluten transfer to breastmilk?Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.The signs and symptoms of gluten sensitivity.Massachusetts General Hospital.What is celiac disease?Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.Hill ID, Lee AR.Patient education: Celiac disease in children (Beyond the Basics).UpToDate.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Celiac disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.
Giannattasio A, Guarino A, Lo vecchio A.Management of children with prolonged diarrhea.F1000Res. 2016;5. doi:10.12688/f1000research.7469.1
Garnier-lengliné H, Cerf-bensussan N, Ruemmele FM.Celiac disease in children.Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2015;39(5):544-51. doi:10.1016/j.clinre.2015.05.024
Celiac Disease Foundation.Does Your Child Have Celiac Disease?
Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth.Celiac disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of celiac disease.
Andrén Aronsson C, Lee H-S, Hård af Segerstad EM, et al.Association of gluten intake during the first 5 years of life with incidence of celiac disease autoimmunity and celiac disease among children at increased risk.JAMA. 2019;322(6):514. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.10329
Guandalini S.The approach to Celiac Disease in children.Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2017;4(3):124-127. doi:10.1016/j.ijpam.2017.08.002
National Celiac Association.Does gluten transfer to breastmilk?
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.The signs and symptoms of gluten sensitivity.
Massachusetts General Hospital.What is celiac disease?
Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.
Hill ID, Lee AR.Patient education: Celiac disease in children (Beyond the Basics).UpToDate.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Celiac disease.
Kuloğlu Z. et al.Celiac disease: presentation of 109 children. Yonsei Medical Journal. 2009 Oct 31;50(5):617-23. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2009.50.5.617. Epub 2009 Oct 20.Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia.Failure to Thrive.Rubio-Tapia A. et al.ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013 May;108(5):656-76; quiz 677. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2013.79. Epub 2013 Apr 23.Westerbeek E. et al.Coeliac disease diagnosed at Starship Children’s Hospital: 1999-2002. New Zealand Medical Journal. 2005 Aug 12;118(1220): U1613.
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