Celiac Disease in the Pediatric Population

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the lining of the gastrointestinal tract is damaged by an immune-mediated response to gluten proteins (Allen, 2015). It is a polygenetic disease that only appears in genetically susceptible individuals (Newton & Singer, 2012). It is a worldwide concern, with North America having a high prevalence rate (Liu et al., 2017). Celiac disease can present in a spectrum of manifestations, making it difficult to identify and diagnosis (Reilly & Green, 2012). High-risk populations include those with a positive family history as well as individuals with other autoimmune disorders (Newton & Singer, 2012). Screening and diagnosis are completed with a blood test followed by a biopsy of the small intestinal lining (Zevit & Shamir, 2014). Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is a strict, gluten-free diet. Further research is warranted in areas of environmental risk factors and treatments (Allen, 2015; Newton & Singer, 2012).