Signs & Symptoms of Celiac Disease in a Toddler

Celiac disease is a digestive condition in which the small intestine becomes damaged because the body cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barely and rye. Symptoms of the condition tend to be different in children and adults, with children most often experiencing the bothersome hallmarks of the disease. Treatment of celiac disease is focused mainly on changing the diet to avoid foods with gluten. Luckily, because there is much more awareness of celiac disease, it is getting much easier to find gluten-free foods.

Digestive Symptoms

Many toddlers will experience diarrhea as a sign of celiac disease. Parents may also notice that the stool looks more pale than usual and may have a stronger odor. In some kids, the stool may also look like it contains oil or fat. Constipation can be another symptom of celiac disease.

Stomach Symptoms

Toddlers with celiac disease may experience pain, swelling or bloating in the abdomen. Bouts of nausea and vomiting are also sometimes a symptom. In many cases it can be easy to overlook these symptoms as signs of a common childhood illness, but chronic abdominal pain or nausea should be reported to your pediatrician because they can be a sign of a more serious disease.

Behavioral Symptoms

Young children with celiac disease may become crabby or irritable, especially when the symptoms of the condition are bothering them. Many of the common symptoms of celiac disease, such as abdominal pain or nausea, are quite bothersome and may be difficult for toddlers to endure because they cannot always communicate their symptoms.

Weight Loss

In toddlers, weight loss may be a sign of celiac disease. Because the small intestine is damaged in people with celiac disease, malabsorption of nutrients can become a problem. This can result in losing weight, which may be especially noticeable in toddlers and babies. Weight loss from celiac disease can result in delayed growth or kids being small for their age.

Other Symptoms

Other symptoms of celiac disease include canker sores, joint or bone pain, fatigue, anemia and tooth discoloration. These symptoms tend to be less common than the gastrointestinal symptoms and may be overlooked or attributed to something else.