Celiac disease and oral-sensory and tactile hyposensitivity problems, Cross-post

[Guest guest]

With apologies to those who are also on the childrensapraxia list, I think this

may be

important to a lot of people. I know I've probably posted too much today anyway,

probably

a sign of excessive fatigue from Ben-sitting during Spring Break...but he just

introduced

me to some older children sitting under the slide at the park, saying, " I'm here

with my

grandmother-friend. " LOL! I felt privileged!

I just found an interesting abstract which shows that some kids' oral-

sensory problems may be related to celiac disease. When I think

about Ben's sometimes biting his hand in the past, and often stuffing

his mouth so full with hamburger before he tries to swallow, and his strong

preference for crunchy textured foods, I wonder about this. Maybe it

will start to improve even more now. In fact...update...today we made GF pancake

batter

together and I made them in the shape of SpongeBob, and a jellyfish

(note to

Disney: the Mouse is passe'), and he actually ate three of them.

Ben is still taking enzymes and is not casein-free.

Hmmm...

> sensory ganglionopathy or an immune-mediated neuropathy

Sort of like varicella vaccine-strain virus sitting in the ganglia or

positive anti-tissue transglutaminase, huh? Like Ben had?

We had to order the celiac tests from enterolab without a

prescription and pay out of pocket (no health insurance), but I think

it was about the best $369 we every paid.

Any of your kids with hyposensitive tactile sensory issues, pay

attention: this might be one of the causes. However, the fact that

symptoms developed in two persons on a gluten-free diet suggests to me that B

vitamins and essential fatty acids (from previous intesinal damage) may also be

a part of

the picture. Enzymes might help with that.

This is from the abstract:

http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/10/1574

> All patients had asymmetric numbness and paresthesias. Three had

> more prominent involvement of hands than feet, and 3 had facial

> numbness. Celiac disease was diagnosed in 5 after their neuropathy

> began. The following serum antibody levels were elevated: tissue

> transglutaminase (n = 6), IgA gliadin (n = 4), and IgG gliadin (n =

> 7). Results of nerve conduction studies were normal in 7 patients.

> One patient had mildly reduced sural amplitudes. The ENF density

> was reduced in 5 patients. The ENF density was at the low limit of

> the normal range in 3 additional patients, 2 of whom had

> morphologic changes in axons. Three patients had decreased ENF

> density at the thigh or forearm, which was more severe than at the

> distal leg, compatible with a non–length-dependent process. Four

> reported improvement with a gluten-free diet. One had no

> improvement after 4 months. Symptoms developed in 2 while receiving

> a gluten-free diet.

>

> Conclusions Patients with CD may have a neuropathy involving small

> fibers, demonstrated by results of skin biopsy. The pattern of

> symptoms, with frequent facial involvement and a non–length-

> dependent pattern on skin biopsy findings, suggests a sensory

> ganglionopathy or an immune-mediated neuropathy. Improvement of

> symptoms in some patients after initiating a gluten-free diet

> warrants further study.

>

>

Peace,

Kathy E.