<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

<< If any symptoms appear,
they would know what it was and if no problems resulted, the baby should
be
tested around 7 yrs old.>>

This makes me question Fasano's reasoning and judgement since there's
evidence that suggests that a celiac needs to be off gluten by age *two*
to avoid other autoimmune complications associated wtih celiac.  In
other words, you could have an asymptomatic child (like mine) ingesting
gluten and you wouldn't know that it was a problem until God knows
when.  By that time, damage is done.  Other immune issues are eventually
triggered.

If you test early, then  you know early and can make better decisions.

I'm all for doing a gene test early on to determine the best path.  It's
about $140.  If there are no associated genes, great!  have at it!  eat
gluten with abandon!   Your chances of developing celiac disease are
*zero*.  If you have one or two associated genes it gets tricky.  If you
have two, I'd say gf for just about...forever.  In my mind, one is where
it gets tricky.

But wether there is one or two genes, it's absolutely *not* known that
avoiding gluten for a long time *doesn't* decrease your risks.  Long
term breastfeeding looks like it may delay or completely stop the onset
of triggering celiac.  Long term is defined as what?  Well, that's tough
but it's probably at least one year.  My gastro said to nurse as long as
possible....aiming for three years.

A child's immune system isn't fully developed until they're
approximately six.

I won't be suprised when it's found that delaying the ingestion of
gluten till after six/seven is shown to trigger less celiac than earlier
ingestion.   I think Fasano is off the mark.   Had I followed his
information, I would have continued feeding my daughter gluten until age
six/seven....unknowingly continuing to poison her.  As it were, I was
able to get her off gluten prior to the age of two.  When there's a
slip, we notice immediately in her behavior.

With the new baby, I'll be doing the cheek swab gene test and crossing
fingers for no related genes.  Otherwise, she's off gluten indefinitely.

<<I believe my dau.is going to try and keep him gluten/wheat free as
long as
possible, and hope he does not have grandma's gene. I also believe
because
it is genetic, if he has it, he has it, nothing we can do.>>

Test  him!  That way you don't have to wonder......and yes, it is
genetic but it still needs to be 'triggered' so to speak.  I believe
that someday the evidence will show that delaying gluten till later in
childhood, for children with one or two associated genes, means less
adults with celiac.

:)
katherine in atl
living in a gluten free home

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