Celiac Disease Program
Celiac Disease Program
Celiac disease is a common autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system, particularly the small intestine. The disease usually runs in families and is caused by a reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and found in many products we use every day.
If you are concerned that your child may have celiac disease, a diagnosis should always be confirmed with the help of an experienced physician. Children’s specialists have the expertise to make the diagnosis and help families manage the disease.
Our team includes experts in gastroenterology (digestive disorders), laboratory medicine (testing and monitoring), and pathology (disease treatment evaluation). Counseling support is available through the Division of Psychiatry and the social work team at Children’s National.
Celiac disease can lead to serious problems, such as malnutrition and intestinal damage, if left untreated. To diagnose celiac, physicians usually test blood to measure for higher than normal levels of certain autoantibodies in their blood. Fortunately, the disease is well managed with a change in diet. Because treatment for celiac is nutritional, the program emphasizes patient education, and we offer a range of patient and family-centered programs about living with and managing celiac disease.
Children’s free online resources also help make the change to a gluten-free diet a little easier:
 Our free e-newsletter Celiac Disease Digest is another resource for parents of children with celiac disease. Sign-up for the Celiac Disease Digest below.
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