How is Coeliacs Disease recognised?
The underlying abnormality is presumed to be present at birth, but recognisable problems cannot develop until gluten-containing solids are included in the infants diet. While damage to the bowel lining occurs whenever gluten is eaten, the effect on different Coeliacs varies markedly, making diagnosis very difficult. Some infants become rapidly & severely ill; other children develop problems slowly over 2 or 3 years. Many Coeliacs have few or no apparent problems during childhood, developing symptoms only during adult life. Family studies suggest that many Coeliacs in the community remain completely undetected.
