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Information that might be of interest provided by Don Kasarda, Albany, CA

Cliona O'Farrelly writing in "Gastrointestinal Immunology and
Gluten-Sensitive Disease" (Eds., C. Feighery and C. O'Farrelly, Oak Tree
Press, Dublin, 1994, pp. 169-180) states:

"However, there is evidence to suggest that gluten sensitive ROU (recurrent
oral ulceration) also occurs in the absence of classic celiac disease.  The
oral lesion in patients with normal small intestinal architecture responds
to treatment with vitamin B12 and folate suggesting that a malabsorptive
process was active even in the absence of any detectable small intestinal
lesion (7, 61).  The small intestinal lesion in these patients may be too
subtle to be seen by routine histology and yet be sufficient to activate a
pathogenic process which manifests itself more visibly and actively in the
buccal mucosa.  It has been proposed that wheat protein plays a primary
pathogenic role in some of these cases (52, 53)."

>My 6 year old daughter was diagnosed as having celiac disease 2 years
>ago.  Since starting a gluten-free diet she has been very healthy, and
>has a good appetite and lots of energy.  However, she does have a problem
>with mouth ulcers, which come and go quite frequently.  In addition, she
>has small white flecks in some of her finger nails, which I believe may
>indicate some vitamin or mineral deficiency. If anyone can offer any
>suggestions regarding these two complaints, I would be very grateful.
>
>Robert Hewitt