According to a recent study, celiac disease diagnoses has tripled over the last 20 years in children from the UK. As many as 1 percent of all children in the UK. have markers of the autoimmune disease. The study, which was published in the “Archives of Disease in Childhood” journal, evaluated more than 2 million children from The Health Improvement Network database.
Celiac disease is commonly considered an allergy to wheat, but it is actually an autoimmune disorder that causes those affected to suffer damage in the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a protein that is in wheat, rye and barley and can be found in many different foods. When affected people eat this protein, their immune system attacks the villi, rather than the cilia, in the intestines. Over time, these finger-like projections become unable to absorb nutrients in food.
Symptoms can be diverse, which can make it difficult to identify the problem particularly in children but often include abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, fatty or pale stools, fatigue, weight loss, behavioral problems or ADHD, short stature, failure to thrive, delayed growth, delayed puberty and enamel defects on the permanent teeth. The condition has been linked to type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis, and without treatment, patients may be vulnerable to complications such as anemia, serious nutritional deficits and permanent intestinal damage. The only treatment is adhering to a strict gluten-free diet. Even small amounts of gluten can trigger an inflammatory response.
While the researchers found that the incidence had sharply increased, they also noted that there was a socioeconomic disparity in diagnosing the condition. Children who were socioeconomically disadvantaged were less likely to get diagnosed than other children. This highlights the need for public awareness campaigns, improved education and early diagnosis in children from all walks of life. Doctors may also need to recommend possible screenings or testing for children in higher-risk groups, such as those with known autoimmune disorders or who have a family history of the condition.