Celiac Disease Program

What to Expect

If you or your child’s pediatrician suspect celiac disease may be the cause of your child’s health concerns, our pediatric gastroenterologists can screen for the disease using blood tests. A diagnosis is often confirmed using an intestinal biopsy that is completed endoscopically. With these test results, our doctors can begin the discussion of how to keep your child healthy.

Our Approach

Unlike many lifelong conditions, there is no medication to treat celiac disease. Following a strict gluten-free diet is currently the only treatment for celiac disease. We recognize what an impactful shift this dietary change can create in your child’s life. These changes often impact your entire family. That’s why we provide a full range of supportive care at the Celiac Disease Program, which includes:

• Registered Dietitians. Our registered dietitians specialize in working with children. They will help teach you and your child how to follow a healthy gluten-free diet and to understand food and packaging labels. They'll also teach you how to fit this new routine into your lives. Celiac disease can be diagnosed anytime from infancy to elderly age. Our dietitians help you adjust your child’s diet whenever you begin your journey.
• Social workers and psychologists. These trained professionals help you and your family adjust to the lifestyle change. They can provide you with resources that support each of you as your child transitions to a gluten-free diet. It can be challenging for children to understand a lifelong specialized diet. We have the resources in our program to support them mentally and emotionally in this process. Our team also helps coordinate care for your child between the various doctors and other providers.

Support throughout childhood

Once your child begins their individualized care plan, our team follows up to make sure the gluten-free diet is going well and to see if symptoms have disappeared. Follow-up visits also include ordering lab tests to ensure celiac-related antibodies remain low. Typically 12 to 18 months after diagnosis, most patients move to annual visits to ensure your child is growing and to answer any questions you may have along the way.

It’s important that your child understands that celiac disease is a lifelong condition and will need to continue visiting a doctor throughout their lives. It is our goal to help you begin this journey on the right foot and prepare you and your child to care for this disease successfully.