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Thanks for all your responses.  It was about 2/3 - 1/3 that kids  
SHOULD have scans.  Several people were able to reverse bone loss even  
into their 80s, so don't lose heart if you are over 40 and have  
osteopenia.  I've separated the responses into AGE AND SCANS,  
TREATMENTS and SCANS.

Thanks,
Chris

AGE AND SCANS:
  I have a 7-year-old daughter w/celiac disease as well. She was  
diagnosed when she was 6 and was sent for a dexa scan shortly  
thereafter. She had significant bone loss and was diagnosed with  
osterporosis. Our specialist told us that many kids who have celiac  
disease have one of these two conditions, but in most cases it repairs  
itself after a year on a gluten free diet. She said that while she  
still orders the dexa, some doctors do not because the condition  
nearly is always healed in young children with just the GF diet. That  
said, slightly under one later we had a second scan and while things  
were much improved, my daughter  still has osteoporosis. We are doing  
additional calcium supplements and lots of exercise in attempt to  
build up the bone density so hopefully next year will be better  
news.   One important note, make sure it is done at a place where they  
do pediatric scans.
***
As far as children-my daughter was diagnosed at 10 yrs old and this  
was a huge concern for me.  I continually inquired to local doctors as  
well as the doctors that were treating her  (She had gone to a  
pediatric gastro specialist).  They agree, it is a huge concern for  
all children-the problem-there is no baseline for children under 18.   
Now I continued this so called trek for years and recvd the same  
answer.  I finally gave up-as no one would address this and no one  
knew how to baseline a child.
***
My daughter was diagnosed at  age 7.  After her numbers stabilized her  
pediatric gastroenterologist ordered a bone scan for her.  It was a  
bit on the low side and at this years appointment last week he ordered  
a follow up. He said if he did not see improvement then we wold add  
calcium supplements to her diet and retest next year.  If there is  
improvement then he would not plan to retest for about 5 years unless  
something else came up. He has seen children with bone loss and thinks  
it's best to diagnose and treat it early.  Thankfully a bone scan in  
non-invasive and I was able to sit in the room with my daughter which  
kept her calm and still.
***
You do not need a bone density for a 7 year old.  Your bones build  
until your 20’s and after your 30’s, which I was told by my doctor
****
There is no test for kids as the bone density test compares a persons  
bone with normal adult dense bone.  It would be off on a child since  
they are building bone until age 40.
***
Kids diagnosed with celiac disease should have a bone density scan  
soon after diagnosis
***
  They typically do not do these on children because the thinking is  
with the elimination of gluten from the diet that the intestines will  
heal and in a child should still have time to improve their bone  
density.  When I had my bone scan, I found out that I have osteopenia  
in my left hip already, but I was at risk prior to my Celiac diagnosis  
as the risk factors for Osteoporosis are white, slight and female.   
Asians are also at an increased risk.
***
Kids can also have a problem.  I believe you can find an article and  
study at www.celiac.com


TREATMENTS:
My son at age 9 has had one, for growing issues due to celiac. He was  
measuring way under like a 7 yr old. Not sure if that helps, but his  
endocrinologist placed him on growth hormone, 2 ensures a day, extra  
vit D & liquid multi vit.
***
At age 67 I had emergency back surgery in South Africa.  The surgeon  
came to see me the next day saying what good, healthy bone I had!  I  
told him I had been taking strontium and he said they use it all the  
time over there
***
Based on my son's last bone density scan, it has been calculated that  
he needs 1500 i.u. of Vit. D daily in addition to his regular diet and  
sun exposure.
***
When my kids were young, just to be on the safe side, I started  
regularly giving them a broth made of boiled chicken feet and veal  
bones.  They both have celiac, as do I, though it was not diagnosed  
until many years later.  The soup idea came from my illiterate Polish  
mother-in-law who had been told her daughter would have deformed  
legs.  No way! was her reaction.  Soup was the answer.  I have gone  
back to this soup, having been diagnosed with osteopoenia in my 60's.   
Now I use cow feet instead of chicken feet, which are harder to find.   
A cup a day.  No more osteopoenia.  Bone loss can be reversed after  
age 40.
***
I agree with the weight bearing exercise as well as the Calcium, but  
all the calcium in the world will not improve bone health if you are  
not taking a Vitamin D supplement.  Vitamin D and calcium work hand in  
hand and if you don't get adequate Vitamin D, which is a challenge to  
get in via the diet and sunscreen prevents the body from making  
Vitamin D, the calcium will not be absorbed by the body.  Check out  
the internet for Michael Holick and vitamin D.
***
was told to cut down on my caffeine consumption as it leaches the  
calcium from your bones, after 1 cup per day, no matter how much  
calcium you take.
***
I was diagnosed with Celiac 15 years ago and also with severe  
osteoporosis.  I started taking 2,000 mg calcium daily, Fosamax, and  
doing weight bearing exercises.  It has been very slow but I am now in  
the osteopenia stage which is a big improvement.  I am 81 years old.
***
I'm 72 and my bone density continues to improve.  I'm taking calcium  
daily, Actonel, and exercising (mostly) regularly.  The doc says if I  
continue to improve this way, I can discontinue the Actonel in a year  
or two.
***
The most helpful doctor I see is an Endocrinologist, who
keeps a careful eye on how my body continues to absorb calcium,  
vitamin D

SCANS:
  It is very important that you get your scan done at the same machine  
every time – even seeing the specialist who had a scanner at his  
hospital, I was still sent back to the other hospital where I had my  
original scans done for him to check my scan.
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