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

When diagnosing a child with Celiac disease, is it common to have a difficult
time reaching this conclusion?

Briefly, my daughter, now 5 1/2, was ill for three years before being diagnosed
with Celiac disease.  Her first biopsy showed only duodenal ulcers.  She was on
a diet filled with gluten at this time.  Her IGg and IGa levels were normal,
Therefore, she was not considered to have celiac disease, but Crohn's disease.
She was put on prednisone for 8 months.  As soon as she came off, she was ill
again.  Her next two biopsies showed partial villi atrophy, her IGg and IGa
levels were elevated, and she was diagnosed with Celiac, not Crohn's.  She was
on an NG tube for six months, as well as a limited GF diet.  Her condition has
greatly improved, but she still has episodes of pain, and occasional vomiting.
Is there such a thing as secondary Celiac disease, (ie), did we miss something
the first time around, and therefore her intestines were further damaged by
something other than gluten?  As you may have guessed, her's is a long
complicated case.  There is disagreement amongst her doctors as to whether or
not she has celiac.  Is this a difficult diagnosis to make for all children????
For everyone????

Kathy Boyle (Phoenix AZ)