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Discovering wheat intolerance in children can be a harrowing ordeal for many parents. It can also make for a difficult first couple of years, as new parents try to learn how to feed their sensitive child. Wheat intolerance in children in one of the most common childhood dietary problems, and is often found alongside a difficulty digesting other potentially problematic foods like milk and soy. The good news for most parents who have to face wheat intolerance in children is that most young people with this difficulty outgrow it by the age of seven years old. But what causes wheat intolerance in children? What are the symptoms to watch out for? And how can parents cope?
This digestive disorder is usually due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. People with the disorder have immune systems which mistake gluten, which is found in most carbs and grain products, for an enemy, and mount an attack. This leads to irritation of the intestines, increased mucous production, and a lessened ability to absorb nutrients. In young people, symptoms of the disorder include sleep disturbance, reflux, loose stools and/or constipation, irritable disposition, respiratory problems and unexplained skin rashes.
If you suspect that your child has this disorder, the best thing to do is to consult your GP immediately. Your doctor will generally run a test for the problem, which involves removing foods containing gluten from the diet, and watching to take note if the symptoms disappear. If the foods are then reintroduced and the symptoms reappear, it usually indicates that your child suffers from this difficulty. It's then very important that problematic foods be eliminated from the young person's diet and replaced with substitutes. Ask your GP about designing an appropriate diet for your child. Lastly, be sure to re-test your child with the help of your GP as they grow older, as the condition is often only present when the child is young and their bodies become able to digest gluten as they age.
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