Q & A
Return to ->Ask the Doctor->Tests and Their Results | QUESTION: I have a 10 yr old daughter with Down Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arhtritis (who's been doing remicade infusions for 1.5 years),moderate reflux, constipation issues, an extremely distended stomach and continues to gain weight despite all our efforts. The list goes on, but as you can see many of the above already predispose her to or go hand-in-hand with CD. She has recently tested positive for celiac disease via blood tests. She did have a biopsy a couple of years ago that indicated she may be experiencing the beginning of CD even though the blood tests were negative until now. The endomysial IgA antibody was negative, the gliadin antibody IgA was positive (44.2), the gliadin antibody IgG was positive (44.7)and serum IgA was 116. How can I find out what "normal" is? Why is CD common among people with Down Syndrome? What would be some good resources for learning about CD and it's treatment/prevention? Thanks in advance. | DR. FINE: Both the blood and biopsy results are diagnostic of what is called Gluten Sensitivity with Mild Enteropathy and require treatment with a gluten free diet. The arthritis may improve also. The association of Down's syndrome and celiac disease suggests an expression of a genetic component on the Trisomy chromosome 21. I encourage you to read the information at www.enterolab.com on gluten sensitivity vs celiac disease. They are an intestinal spectrum in the
case of your daughter. |
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