Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine after exposure to the gliadin component of gluten in the diet. Celiac disease is common and is estimated to occur in 0.5% to 1 % of the general population, although the exact prevalence has. yet-to be determined in the pediatric population. Symptoms of celiac disease include both gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, weight loss, abdominal distention and abdominal pain, as well as extraint-estinal symptoms, such as various skin, rheumatologic, dental, and neurologic complaints. Serologic testing is useful for screening, for the diagnosis, although the diagnosis cannot be confirmed without histologic evaluation of duodenal and/or jejunal biopsies. After the biopsies are confirmed to be consistent with celiac disease, a life-long gluten-free diet is essential for resolution.
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