I have Celiac and Dermatitis Herpetiformis will my child?

trishinbanff

Hello,

I have had Celiac and DH for over 15 years and I'm trying to find some information on how likely will my baby have it?  I don't plan on giving my child gluten at all b/c I don't want to risk the chance.  Anyone have any experience with this? 

Coleslawcat

I've been told it's about a 10-20% chance that your children will have it. I also have celiac and 3 kids. It is something I think about constantly. Right now we think my baby has it, but not the older 2. I wouldn't hold off on giving gluten. I might delay it, but eventually your child will be in preschool/school settings and it can be very hard for a child to miss out on foods and eating with their peers. Obviously, if there is a real medical need I would, but just for a chance they might have celiac I wouldn't do it.

jbergs

I have Celiac disease as well and I was told to make sure to give wheat/gluten products to DD because they aren't able to determine if she has it if she's never been exposed.  They made a note in her chart and watch her growth very carefully.

DandelionMom

I have it and 2 of my 3 kids have it. 

EastCoastBride

jbergs:

I have Celiac disease as well and I was told to make sure to give wheat/gluten products to DD because they aren't able to determine if she has it if she's never been exposed.  They made a note in her chart and watch her growth very carefully.

This.  I get that you don't want to make your child sick, but if they DON'T have celiac, why would you want them to not eat wheat/gluten?  Why make their life harder unneccessarily? 

 

julandjo

EastCoastBride:

 I get that you don't want to make your child sick, but if they DON'T have celiac, why would you want them to not eat wheat/gluten?  Why make their life harder unneccessarily? 

 

Well, for a lot of Celiacs, they have to maintain a gluten free home.  So going out of their way to give their child gluten would be a LOT of work.  Right now my son is on a gluten trial.  So we're having him eat the food his daycare serves, which is totally crappy quality food and I'm not happy about it.  But I cannot have any gluten in my home because I'm so sensitive that it will make me (and my daughter) sick.  When DS comes home he has to wash his hands/face and brush teeth... otherwise kissing him will get me glutened.  Being gluten free is in no way harmful physically to anyone.  Once the child gets to a certain age then of course there are social concerns.  I understand what you're saying, but there's a very valid reason why someone would opt not to feed their child gluten.

trishinbanff

Thanks ladies!  I think I'm not going to go out of my way to stuff my kid full of processed gluten filled food but introduce it slowly.  I have a pretty much gluten free home right now.  My husband has some cereal and bread but other than that we both eat gluten free.

Hudson_Hawk

jbergs:

I have Celiac disease as well and I was told to make sure to give wheat/gluten products to DD because they aren't able to determine if she has it if she's never been exposed.  They made a note in her chart and watch her growth very carefully.

This 100%. We saw a pediatric gastroenterologist when DS was 12 weeks (for something unrelated) and I asked about whether we should hold back and he said absolutely not.

MaxandRuby

I have DH (diagnosed 10yr ago) and have 2 kids (3 and almost 2). Neither of them have Celiac's or DH. I do not know what the chances are of having children with Celiac's or DH.

magdusia

my next door neighbor has Celiac and her daughter does not. My close friend does not and neither does anyone in her or DH's side and her 3 y/o son was diagnosed last year.

I'm sure the chances are higher than for a person who doesn't have it but i wouldn't give up hope.