Nutrition A dietary


change can be the beginning of a new


adventure in cooking


drome, Turner’s syndrome, Sjogren’s syndrome or thyroid disease. Long-term effects of untreated celiac disease include malnutrition and malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D, leading to rickets in kids. Lactose intolerance may occur. There is also a higher risk of bowel cancers. Celiac disease or any other food aller-


gy must have a definitive diagnosis before any dietary changes, including a gluten- free diet, are incorporated. To determine whether a child has celiac disease, blood should be tested for antibodies that indicate an immune reaction specifically to gluten. If this blood test is positive, a small bowel test, endoscopy, needs to be done to obtain a small tissue sample of the colon to determine damage to the villi (absorbing cells) of the intestine. Only after a positive test result should a child begin a gluten-free diet. Many families are unsure how to begin the dietary changes necessary for their child’s disease. When the diagnosis of celiac disease is medically verified,


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your child’s health care provider should become your reference point. Your pro- vider can give you information on celiac disease and refer you to a nutritionist specializing in celiac disease and food allergies. The nutritionist will help you se- lect the appropriate gluten-free foods and teach you what to avoid and how to inter- pret nutrition labels, which is an important part of choosing the right foods in any restrictive diet. Your family may also need additional support from a mental health provider and a celiac support group. As with any allergy to foods, medicines


or environmental allergies, it’s imperative that everyone who takes care of your child — including relatives, friends, teachers and the school nurse — are aware of the emergency treatment plan, including administering an epinephrine pen. Your child should wear a medical alert brace- let, too. Kids with celiac will also need a daily vitamin that contains extra calcium and vitamin D. You should inform children of any age


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