New site for Kids and GF diet and more

[prissmom]

  So much new information here:
http://www.celiac.org/lifestyle/prac-gastro.php

Including, Kids and GF diet
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/digestive-health/nutritionarticles/SharrettArticle207.pdf

  Celiac Medical experts in the US
http://healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/digestivehealth/nutritionarticles/Sept0603.pdf 

                                     
http://www.king5.com/health/children/stories/NW_110808HEB_celiac_disease_KS.1933c7d35.html 

Celiac disease often goes undetected

 SEATTLE - If your child suffers from celiac disease there's a good chance you don't know it.

But the disease can have long term consequences for your child's health.

Thirteen-year-old Sydney Lamoureaux has celiac disease. Her intestines can't tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. It can lead to malnourishment, anemia and more.

"There are concerns about social and emotional development," said Dr. Ghassan Wahbeh, of Seattle Children's Hospital. "There are concerns about anxiety and depression. And there's a small risk of developing certain cancers."

Wahbeh says doctors often miss the hereditary disease in their young patients.

Only one out of every 50 cases are identified. Why? He says the signs are vague. They can include anxiety and irritability.

"Abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, growth delays," Wahbeh said.

 Some are even more confusing.

"Like joint inflammation or very peculiar types of skin rashes," said Wahbeh.

Sydney's symptoms seemed like a bout of flu at first, but they persisted, and became alarming.

"When she started not gaining any weight. And noticing that she was kind of lethargic, or 'not there' more than anything," Sydney's mother Theresa Lamoureaux said.

Finally a blood test and a biopsy of her intestine confirmed celiac disease.

With the help of a registered dietician at Seattle Children's, Sydney's family has gone completely gluten free. It was tricky at first.

Gluten is a hidden ingredient in many foods, even candy. And traveling has challenges.

"When we went to Idaho and Montana and Wyoming, they don't have gluten free areas at the store, so you have to find kitchenettes and cook up food for her," said Travis Lamoureaux, Sydney's father.

Fortunately shopping is getting easier. The Food and Drug Administration now limits the number of gluten molecules in products labeled gluten-free.

"As it stands now that limit is 20 parts per million," Wahbeh said.

Sydney will need to stay gluten free for life. But it's working. She's gained 23 pounds, and sprouted in height this year.

"I feel so much energized!" Sydney said.

An estimated one out every 133 Americans has celiac disease. While experts don't recommend blood tests for all kids, if you have concerns, talk to your pediatrician.