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I think my baby girl has Celiac.... help!
posted 29 Sep. 2009, 6:40 pm (4 moms have responded)
I think my baby girl (8 months old) might have Celiac and I don't know what to do. I'm trying to research all I can, and learn everything about it so I can help her to get over this and start growing. Alittle about her, she was 5.8 lbs and 18.5 inches when she was born, she was 2.5 wks early, she had bad reflux, so we were told to start feeding her cereal at 2 wks. She wouldn't keep it down and so we'd try again every other week. She wouldn't gain much weight, sometimes she'd gain and then the next visit she would of lost. SHe's now 8 months and only 13 lbs and 24 inches., she's just now getting out of her newborn clothes. She's mentally sharp as a whip, right on target for all of her developmental things, just not gaining weight. Once we began on solids, then she went from throwing up to diarhea every single time she ate. It came out as fast as it went in and was about the same consistancy. Her little bottom gets soooo very raw, there's little sores that appear and bleed some. I can clear up the redness and raw part but it remains like little purple sores dried up for a few wks. They did stool samples twice and both times they were positive for having the nutrience in them, I guess meaning she's passing it so fast she's not absorbing anything. Her regular blood work was off, they did an upper GI and a Barium enema to rule out Malrotation of her intestines, but nothing apparently was seen about Celiac. We go to her doctor tomorrow and I plan on asking to have her tested for it. I just don't know what all to ask the doctor for or about. And if she definitely has this, then where did it come from and how do I treat her. Being she's a baby, is there formula she needs or her cereal and then do I make her baby foods (fruits and veggies) or is there a brand that makes Gluten free?
Help I am new to this and all I want is for my baby girl to feel better and start to thrive.
Thank you for listening,
Vicki
Replies
posted 30 Sep. 2009, 1:49 pm
many baby food do not contain gluten. I would ask the dr about getting the test done. A small bowel biopsy is the only accurate test. The blood test can be done but often has a false negative. for example my husband and his two sisters had the blood test and it came back neg. but they all have symptoms now are are happy on a gluten free diet. You could make your own baby food it is very easy, I dont know about the formula, but the label will tell you what it contains. Dont take her off gluten though until after the tests, it can mess up the tests if she is not on gluten at the time of the test. Celiac is often in people from Irish or european descent. Please ask me any more questions that you have. Sorry this did not get to you until after your dr appointment.
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posted 23 Oct. 2009, 10:12 pm
I hope that she is doing better... What did your tests show? How is the diarrhea? Its been a little under a month since your post... any new info?
posted January 1, 1:24 pm
Vicki, They do make gluten free food for babies, my daughter has celiac too. You can use rice cereal, but not oat, dont use wheat in any form. ALL FRESH fruit and veggies are ok. I have some really good resources I can send to you in a package if you like. It is very daunting at first and it is life long, but it is overcomable as a mom and you find ways to cope.
posted February 14, 1:26 pm
I hope your dr visit provided helpful. They do make little 'grinders' that you can use to mush real fruits, chicken breast, veggies, etc so that you don't have to worry about gluten (or milk) fillers/thickeners - or preservatives for that matter. As far as I know, it can be genetically passed down and misdiagnosed (esp in America) until recently - as irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Celiac untreated can lead to problems with Thyroid and even the heart (valves). Does this ring a bell with other family members? Soft, sticky stool seemed to be an inherrant trait on my husbands side - along with hemorhoids (sp?) due to having to take so long in the bathroom...but until he was diagnosed (and my daughter) no one gave it any thought... Take care! - Em