When kids have celiac disease, gluten causes inflammation that damages the lining of the small intestines. This can lead to diarrhea or constipation, bloating, belly pain, weight loss, and other problems. Kids with celiac (SEE-lee-ak) disease have trouble absorbing important nutrients from food. The treatment for celiac disease is to avoid all foods and drinks that contain gluten.

• Help your child avoid all gluten. Even a very small amount can damage the intestines and make your child feel sick. Foods with gluten include anything that contains wheat, rye, or barley (like bread, pasta, cereal, cake, and pizza).
• At first, your child also should avoid dairy products (like milk, cheese, and yogurt) until the intestines heal. When your child feels better, ask your health care provider if you can add dairy to your child's diet.
• Ask your health care provider if your child can eat oats.
• Some gluten-free foods that your child can eat are:
  • rice, corn, and potatoes
  • gluten-free grains, such as buckwheat, quinoa, and millet
  • fruits and vegetables
  • meat and fish
• Check the labels of all foods your child eats. Teach older kids to do this for themselves.
• Watch for gluten in non-food products, such as medicines, toothpaste, lipstick, and play-dough.
• Tell everyone who cares for your child about your child's celiac disease.
• Teach young kids not to accept food from other people unless you say it's OK.
• Teach older kids to ask about ingredients at friends' homes and in restaurants.
• Ask your health care provider if your child needs a daily multivitamin or vitamin D supplement.
• Ask your health care provider if your child needs any extra vaccines.

Your child:

• is feeling worse
• is not feeling better after several weeks of a gluten-free diet
• develops any new symptoms, such as a rash, joint pain, paleness, a fast heartbeat, or feeling very tired
• is losing weight or not growing

Your child:

• has very bad belly pain
• has any of these signs of dehydration:
  • a dry or sticky mouth
  • peeing less
  • no tears when crying

How is celiac disease diagnosed? If a child has diarrhea, bloating, and weight loss, health care providers might test for celiac disease. A child with a close relative who has celiac disease also might be tested. Testing usually starts with blood tests for antibodies to gluten. If the antibodies are high, doctors will do a procedure called an endoscopy to take a small sample of the inside of the small intestine and send it for testing.

Will my child always need to be on a gluten-free diet? Yes. Anyone with celiac disease needs to be gluten-free for life. Even if the symptoms of celiac disease get better, eating gluten again will keep damaging the intestines. Sticking to a gluten-free diet can help prevent problems, like anemia (too few red blood cells) and osteoporosis (weak bones). A dietitian can help you find safe foods that your child likes to eat while making sure that your child's gluten-free diet is well-balanced.

How else can I help my child? You and your child can get help and support from celiac organizations like the Celiac Disease Foundation and the National Celiac Association. They also can help you connect with other families dealing with celiac disease.