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Coeliac Disease Diagnoses In Children Have Tripled In Last 20 Years

A life-long illness that means those affected live by a gluten-free diet, coeliac disease can have serious effects and is important to diagnose

The number of young children being diagnosed with coeliac disease has risen dramatically over the past two decades, according to new figures out today.

The often debilitating condition causes a serious allergy to gluten, a protein found in a huge range of foods from bread to pasta and even some condiments. And today's children appear to be three times as likely as the sufferers.

Coeliac disease is a serious illness where the body’s immune system reacts to gluten [Rex]
Coeliac disease is a serious illness where the body’s immune system reacts to gluten [Rex]



Experts looked at nine years of health records for over two million children in the UK, finding 1,247 had been diagnosed as coeliac.

Digging into the numbers, researchers found that the diagnosis rate for coeliac disease in 2008-12 among children was 75 per cent higher than it was in 1993-97.

The stats show that the condition is more common, or easier to diagnose, in girls than boys with 53 per cent more girls diagnosed.

The research, conducted by University of Nottingham in collaboration with Coeliac UK, shows that poorer children are half as likely to be diagnosed as those from more affluent backgrounds.

Often, the disease’s symptoms, which included stomach pains and weight loss, are mistaken for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Why Are People Being Diagnosed Coeliac Today?
But though the figures sound alarming, they might actually be good news, showing progress in doctors' ability to diagnose the difficult condition.

The researchers suggest the rise in new cases among children is likely to be the result of better awareness of coeliac disease, as well as the means to diagnose it.

As it's easily treatable with dietary changes, being diagnosed as a child can have huge benefits to coeliac sufferers, as the condition can affect growth and development as well as being generally unpleasant.

Children with coeliac disease have to avoid gluten in food [Rex]
Children with coeliac disease have to avoid gluten in food [Rex]

What Is Coeliac Disease?
It's a serious illness where the body’s immune system reacts to gluten found in food, making the body attack itself.

One in 100 people in the UK have the condition, but only 24 per cent of them are currently diagnosed. On average, a diagnosis takes around 13 years.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure and no medication – the only treatment is a strictly gluten-free diet for life.

People with coeliac disease need to avoid eating foods containing gluten, such as breads, pasta, flours, cereals, cakes and biscuits. It is often used in other family favourites including fish fingers, sausages, gravies and soy sauce.

Going Forward
Following the research, Coeliac UK is launching a two-year campaign in May to find the missing half a million people in Britain who are currently living with coeliac disease, but haven’t been diagnosed.

“This research is very useful in providing a much better understanding of how many children have been diagnosed with coeliac disease, and gives us an insight on where we should be driving resources to increase awareness of coeliac disease and need for diagnosis,” says Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Coeliac UK.

If you think you or your child have coeliac disease, you can contact Coeliac UK for support and advice. They may suggest you keep a food diary for a couple of weeks before seeing your GP so you have a better understanding of the foods that affect you badly.

[Dealing With A Baby With Lactose Intolerance]

[Could You Be Coeliac?]

Does your child suffer from a gluten intolerance? Let us know how you manage his diet in the comments below.