Celiac And Children

Almost 20% of children with Celiac disease continue to have
symptoms after spending a year on a gluten free diet, researchers
say.

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder with damage
happening in the small intestine.  It affects about 1% of people
around the world.  However, about 2.5 million people in the
U.S. are undiagnosed.

Scientists examined health records of 103 children with the
disease.  These children have been following a strict gluten
free diet for about 2 years.

After repeat biopsy tests persistent celiac enteropathy was seen
in 20% of the children.  Long term effects are not known,
persistent enteropathy may predispose pediatric patients
to complications and suboptimal growth.

More studies are being done to assess this.