What are the effects and signs?
The classic presentation of coeliac disease in infancy is less common than it was. Affected babies typically developed symptoms after weaning, when cereals containing gluten were introduced to the diet. They ‘failed to thrive’ i.e. were miserable, refused to eat and did not gain weight. Typically they had a distended abdomen, muscle wasting and offensive diarrhoea.
Older children are more likely to present subtle gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, intermittent diarrhoea / constipation and slowing of growth.
In summary, the symptoms of coeliac disease are variable and may be non-specific. They may or may not include gastrointestinal symptoms. In almost all cases, symptoms resolve with a gluten free diet.
The following symptoms may occur -:
- Chronic or intermittent diarrhoea
- Failure to thrive or faltering growth in children
- Persistent and unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea and vomiting
- Prolonged fatigue
- Recurrent abdominal pain, cramping or distension
- Sudden or unexpected weight loss
- Unexplained anaemia
The condition may have no symptoms but be identified because children with the following conditions have been screened with an antibody test -:
- Autoimmune thyroid disease
- Dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin rash)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- A close relative, such as a parent, or brother or sister, with coeliac disease
- Down’s syndrome
- Turners syndrome
In children, the complications of untreated coeliac disease in addition to any symptoms it causes include the following -:
- Growth failure (small for age)
- Delayed puberty
- Dental problems
- rickets
- osteoporosis
