What Are The Symptoms Of Gluten Intolerance In Kids?

A gluten-free diet is widespread; chances are you know someone following it. 

Unfortunately, some people’s bodies simply cannot process gluten, and in those with celiac disease, eating it triggers an autoimmune response that affects the small intestine and can result in serious problems.

There are also those who have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. These people typically test negative for celiac disease but feel unwell when they have gluten. 

In this article, we wanted to list symptoms of gluten sensitivity for general knowledge and understanding. The symptoms usually are not tied to stomach issues and can also appear hours or days after eating gluten foods. 

• Tiredness & “brain fog"

  This is the most common symptom of gluten sensitivity. Kids who often feel tired and like they’ve just gotten out of bed on a continuous basis, forgetful kids or those who struggle completing tasks. 

• Regular headaches or dizziness.

  Children don’t usually experience constant headaches, so if your child does, you should certainly get them checked. The same goes for dizziness.

• Itchy skin or rashes.

  If your child has rashes or itchy skin on the knees, buttocks, elbows or the back of the neck.

• Constant joint pain.

  If your child complains of numbness in their fingers or arms, tingling sensations in their legs or arms or a mixture of all of the above, it’s time to get them checked, as it often happens to glute-intolerant kids.  

• Diarrhoea, upset stomach or bloating.

  This goes without saying; if your child’s stomach is upset, it’s most likely something they’ve eaten. 

What to do next?

If you’re wondering whether your child might be gluten sensitive, we suggest taking them to your GP to check them and understand the issue. They will be able to direct you to a specialist like a gastroenterologist for further tests. Make sure that your child has the same diet before testing, as the results may not be accurate if they start eating less gluten right before the test. It’s essential to assess their current diet and what might be causing them to be unwell. 

If the tests are negative and your child still exhibits the symptoms we mentioned above, ask your GP for more specialist tests, as there are other possible causes which should not be left untreated. Such causes include intestinal parasites, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), lactose intolerance, MDG sensitivity, etc. 

After your child has been checked and tests are done, another effective way to investigate from your side is to eliminate all goods with gluten from their diet and see if the symptoms improve or disappear. Some doctors suggest eating something with gluten to see if the symptoms come back to be 100% sure. 

If your child is diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, the obvious thing to do is eliminate gluten from their diet and research alternative foods. You can also take your child to a dietician to understand what their diet should look like. A professional’s advice can be valuable. They can help your family plan for the new diet and understand what to shop for from here.