Celiac Disease In Children

Last updated: January 2026

Quick Answer

Should I worry if my child has ongoing pet dard, loose motion, and is not gaining weight? These could be signs of Celiac Disease, which affects about 1 in 100 children worldwide.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where eating gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye - think roti, bread, pasta, biscuits) damages the intestines. The good news? Once diagnosed, a gluten-free diet can completely heal the gut, and your child can grow and thrive normally. Early diagnosis is key - the sooner you know, the sooner your child can start feeling better.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is NOT a food allergy or just a “sensitivity.” It’s an autoimmune condition where:

• The body’s immune system attacks its own intestines when gluten is eaten
• This damages the lining of the small intestine (villi)
• Damaged intestines cannot absorb nutrients properly
• This leads to malnutrition, growth problems, and other issues

Important Points for Indian Parents:

• Wheat (gehu) is in almost everything we eat - roti, paratha, bread, biscuits, maggi, cakes
• Gluten is also in barley (jau) and rye
• Many Indian sweets and snacks contain maida (refined wheat flour)
• Hidden gluten is in soy sauce, some medicines, and even cosmetics

What Causes Celiac Disease?

Genetic Factors:

• Celiac disease runs in families
• If a parent or sibling has it, child has 10% chance
• Specific genes (HLA-DQ2 and DQ8) are involved

Trigger Factors:

• Introduction of gluten in diet (usually after 6 months)
• Gut infections
• Surgery or physical stress
• Sometimes triggered for unknown reasons

Who is at Higher Risk?

Children with these conditions should be tested:

• Type 1 Diabetes
• Down Syndrome
• Thyroid problems
• Autoimmune disorders
• Family history of Celiac disease

Symptoms by Age

Infants and Toddlers (6 months - 3 years):

Symptom	What It Looks Like
Chronic Loose Motion	Frequent, foul-smelling, fatty stools
Constipation (Kabz)	Sometimes opposite of diarrhea
Bloated Tummy	Pot-belly appearance
Fussiness/Irritability	Cranky, unhappy baby
Poor Weight Gain	Not meeting growth milestones
Vomiting	Regular vomiting after meals
Loss of Appetite	Refusing to eat

School-Age Children (4-12 years):

• Recurring pet dard (stomach aches)
• Gas and bloating
• Loose motion or kabz (constipation)
• Weight loss or poor weight gain
• Short height compared to peers
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Pale skin (anemia)
• Mood changes, irritability

Teenagers:

• Delayed puberty
• Short stature
• Anemia (iron deficiency)
• Mouth ulcers that keep coming back
• Skin rash (itchy, blistery)
• Bone and joint pain
• Headaches
• Anxiety and mood issues

”Silent” Celiac Disease:

Some children have NO digestive symptoms but show:

• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Low bone density
• Dental enamel problems
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Delayed growth

When to See a Doctor

Seek immediate care if:

• Severe dehydration from ongoing loose motion

• Significant weight loss

• Child is extremely weak and lethargic

• Swollen, painful abdomen

• Blood in stool Schedule an appointment if:

• Chronic pet dard lasting more than 2-3 weeks

• Ongoing loose motion or kabz that doesn’t resolve

• Child is not gaining weight or growing

• Frequent foul-smelling, fatty stools

• Bloated tummy with gas

• Family history of Celiac disease

• Child has Type 1 Diabetes and digestive issues

How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

Step 1: Blood Tests

• tTG-IgA antibody test (most common screening)
• Must be done while still eating gluten

Step 2: Endoscopy with Biopsy

• Small camera looks at intestine
• Tiny tissue sample taken
• Done under sedation (child sleeps)
• Confirms diagnosis by showing villous damage

Important Note:

Do NOT start a gluten-free diet before testing! The tests only work if child is still eating gluten regularly.

Treatment: Gluten-Free Diet for Life

This is the ONLY treatment for Celiac disease.

Foods to AVOID (contain gluten):

Category	Indian Foods to Avoid
Grains	Wheat (gehu), Barley (jau), Rye, Semolina (suji/rava), Dalia
Breads	Roti, Paratha, Naan, Bread, Pav
Processed	Maggi, Pasta, Biscuits, Cakes, Most packaged snacks
Sweets	Barfi, Halwa (suji), Many mithai
Others	Soy sauce, Some medicines, Malt

Safe Gluten-Free Foods:

Category	What Your Child CAN Eat
Grains	Rice (chawal), Corn (makka), Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Quinoa, Buckwheat (kuttu)
Proteins	All fresh meat, fish, eggs, dal, paneer
Dairy	Milk, curd, cheese (check labels)
Fruits & Vegetables	All fresh fruits and vegetables
Others	Potatoes, All nuts, Seeds

Indian Gluten-Free Meal Ideas:

Breakfast:

• Idli/Dosa (made with rice and urad dal)

• Poha (flattened rice)

• Upma (made with rice rava, not wheat)

• Chilla (besan/gram flour)

• Ragi porridge Lunch/Dinner:

• Rice with dal and sabzi

• Makki ki roti with sarson ka saag

• Rajma chawal

• Chole chawal (check masala labels)

• Gluten-free khichdi Snacks:

• Fresh fruits

• Roasted chana

• Makhana

• Rice puffs (murmura)

• Gluten-free cookies (check labels)

Managing Celiac Disease: Tips for Parents

At Home:

• Separate cooking areas - avoid cross-contamination
• Dedicated utensils - separate tawa, spoons for gluten-free cooking
• Read every label - gluten hides in unexpected places
• Cook Indian gluten-free foods - many traditional options exist!

At School:

• Inform teachers and school staff
• Pack lunch and snacks from home
• Avoid sharing food with friends
• Carry safe snacks for parties

Eating Out:

• Call ahead and ask about gluten-free options
• Avoid street food (high cross-contamination risk)
• Choose naturally gluten-free dishes (rice-based)
• Be cautious with sauces and marinades

What’s Normal After Starting Gluten-Free Diet?

Timeline	What to Expect
First Week	May feel worse initially (withdrawal)
2-4 Weeks	Symptoms start improving
3-6 Months	Significant improvement in symptoms
6-12 Months	Gut healing, better growth
1-2 Years	Complete healing of intestines

Expert Insight: Dr. Sumitra explains: ‘Every baby’s poop schedule is different. Some go 7 times a day, some once a week - both can be normal.‘

FAQs

Q: My child has pet dard after eating roti - could it be Celiac?

A: It could be, especially if the stomach pain is accompanied by loose motion, bloating, or poor weight gain. However, many children have temporary gluten sensitivity that is different from Celiac disease. Get tested before making any dietary changes.

Q: Can my child outgrow Celiac disease?

A: No, Celiac disease is a lifelong condition. Unlike some food allergies, children do not outgrow Celiac disease. The gluten-free diet must be followed strictly for life.

Q: Will my child never be able to eat roti again?

A: Your child cannot eat wheat roti, but there are many alternatives! Makki (corn) roti, jowar roti, bajra roti, and gluten-free flour rotis are all options. Many families find creative ways to enjoy traditional foods gluten-free.

Q: Is a little bit of gluten okay sometimes?

A: No, even small amounts of gluten can damage the intestines in someone with Celiac disease. Even a crumb of bread can cause harm. The diet must be strictly gluten-free.

Q: My child has Celiac disease - should my other children be tested?

A: Yes, first-degree relatives (siblings, parents) should be tested. They have a 10% chance of having Celiac disease, even if they don’t have obvious symptoms.

Q: Are gluten-free products safe for my child?

A: Look for certified gluten-free labels. In India, brands like Wheafree, Healthy Alternatives, and some Big Basket options offer certified gluten-free products. Always read labels carefully.

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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. For personalized advice about Celiac disease in your child, consult with Babynama’s pediatric experts on WhatsApp.

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