More on Celiac Disease

[Guest guest]

Hey all.......Thought this was interesting:

Carolyn

Mum to on, , Emma (Ds) 4 and Nicki (Ds) 3

http://www.geocities.com/nz_mom/sykesfamily.html

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The digestive disorder celiac disease is a

common problem among children with Down syndrome, and catching it early is

crucial to preventing complications. But screening Down syndrome children

only once may miss some cases of celiac disease, researchers in the

Netherlands have found.

People with celiac disease cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat

and some other grains. Exposure to gluten damages the small intestine, which

in turn leads to malabsorption of nutrients and poor nourishment. Following

a gluten-free diet can normalize functioning in the small intestine and

prevent complications such as bone thinning and anemia.

Since up to 17% of children with Down syndrome develop celiac disease,

routine screening has been recommended. However, according to a report in a

recent issue of The Journal of Pediatrics, it is unclear when and how often

screening should be done.

In the US, the National Association for Down Syndrome recommends screening

for celiac disease between ages of 2 and 3.

But in a study of 137 children with Down syndrome, researchers led by Dr. M.

a Mearin of Leiden University found that screening for celiac disease

once in a lifetime is not always enough. Three of the 11 children who

developed celiac disease were diagnosed 2 years after an initial test showed

they did not have the disorder.

In addition, the investigators could find no definite symptoms that flagged

children with celiac disease. However, all affected children in the study

had specific types of immune-system markers. The researchers suggest that

all Down syndrome children be screened for the markers, which will keep

about 70% of them from having to undergo more celiac disease tests.

Whether all Down syndrome children outside the Netherlands have the markers

is unknown, Dr. A. - of the University College London notes

in an editorial accompanying the report.

Still, he writes that ``for the general pediatrician, the message is clear:

when children with Down syndrome present with gastrointestinal problems,

celiac disease must be considered.''

SOURCE: The Journal of Pediatrics 2000;137:743-744, 756-761.

[Guest guest]

Carolyn, since we are in the throws of finding out weather Tara has

Celiac disease or not, this was very interesting/important info for me.

I have forward it to a Dr. friend of mine who is helping us out about

this right now......thanks again!

Gail.....Mom to Bobby 7, Jillian 4 1/2, and Tara{Ds} 22 months