Celiac Disease

Question 1

Def

Answer 1

is an immunologic disorder in which gluten, a product most commonly found in grains, causes damage to the small intestine. The villi of the small intestine are damaged due to the body’s immunologic response to the digestion of gluten

Question 2

Risk factors

Answer 2

• family history
• autoimmune or genetic disorders
• Caucasian European descent

Question 3

S/s

Answer 3

symptoms often presents by age 2

Diarrhea
Steatorrhea (fatty stools)
Constipation
Failure to thrive or weight loss
Abdominal distention or bloating
Poor muscle tone
Irritability and listlessness
Dental disorders
Anemia
Delayed onset of puberty or amenorrhea
Nutritional deficiencies

distended abdomen, wasted buttocks, and very thin extremities

Question 4

Management/Tx

Answer 4

Management:
- educate that gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats

Tx:
- strict gluten free diet

Tests:
- Autotissue transglutaminase IgA is a first-line test
- yet if the result is negative, the antiendomysium IgA test is specific for celiac disease
- small bowel biopsy
- genetic testing