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Diagnosis & Treatment

Celiac Disease

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How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

The first step in the diagnosis of celiac disease is a screening blood test that any doctor or provider can order. If this test is positive, the next step is to confirm the diagnosis with an upper endoscopy with biopsies.

Blood tests

  • Test for antibodies to gluten. Elevated levels of celiac antibodies indicate a response of the immune system to gluten, which is typical in people with celiac disease.
  • Genetic blood tests are done to determine if the child has a gene necessary to develop celiac disease. If the child lacks the gene, it is highly unlikely to develop celiac disease during their lifetime.

Upper Endoscopy. During an endoscopy, a pediatric gastroenterologist uses a flexible tube with a camera to evaluate the upper digestive tract and take tissue samples for biopsy. Celiac disease is confirmed if the tissue is inflamed and damaged when examined under a microscope.

How is Celiac Disease Treated?

Treatments

Currently, there is no cure for celiac disease. The treatment for celiac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. Avoiding gluten results in healing the small intestine's lining to heal and allows symptoms to resolve.

Changing a child’s diet and removing all gluten-containing foods can be difficult. A dietitian can help plan a healthy gluten-free diet that based on the child’s age. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Typical gluten-containing foods include cereal, crackers, cookies, bread, and pasta.

In addition to food, gluten can be found in medications and other common items that should be avoided. Alternative products without gluten may be available. Items that might contain gluten include:

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medications.
  • Vitamins and supplements
  • Shampoo, conditioner, and lotions
  • Toothpaste
  • Play-Doh, glue, and paints.

FAQs

FAQs

Celiac disease is one of the most common genetic conditions in the world. Many people who have celiac disease have not been diagnosed, so the exact number is unknown. Experts estimate that more than 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease and nearly 1 percent of people worldwide have the disease.

Signs and symptoms of celiac disease are common in other conditions, so to know if you have celiac disease, you will need certain medical tests. If you have symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating or constipation that don’t go away, you should see your doctor or a gastroenterologist.

Avoid all foods that contain these grains: wheat (including einkorn, durum, faro, graham, kamut, semolina, spelt), barley and rye. Look at the ingredients list of all prepared foods and avoid products that include these grains. For example, cereal, crackers, pasta, cookies, bread, cakes, and other products.

A baby might show the first signs of celiac disease soon after they start eating solid foods such as cereal, around the age of 6 to 9 months. Signs might include diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. The baby might cry more than usual because of stomach pain, might not gain weight, and possibly will lose weight.

Currently, celiac disease has no cure. People with celiac disease need to follow a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, which is the only treatment for this disease.

If untreated, children with celiac disease may not receive the nutrients they need to grow and develop properly. Long-term complications of celiac disease include bone softening, accelerated osteoporosis, anemia, and reproductive system problems.

Get Care

Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Celiac Disease Treatment

Celiac disease in children, can go undiagnosed and untreated. At NewYork-Presbyterian, pediatric gastroenterologists specialize in diagnosing and caring for children with celiac disease and other pediatric digestive diseases. If celiac disease is diagnosed, a dietician will help plan a gluten-free diet for the child. Learn more about celiac disease signs and symptoms . Contact us to make an appointment.