Celiac Disease
What is it?
- Gluten enteropathy or celiac sprue
- Intolerance to gluten (found in BROW: Barley, Rye, Wheat, and Oats).
- Important: Oats are gluten-free, but they are grown with other gluten crops.
- Amino acid glutamine accumulates, which is toxic to intestinal mucosal cells.
- Intestinal villous atrophy.
- Treatment: Avoid gluten in the diet
Symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Steatorrhea (smelly, fatty stools)
- Anorexia and vomiting
- Abdominal distension and gas
- Anemia
- Muscle wasting
- Fatigue due to malnutrition
Nursing Priorities
- Gluten Free-diet
- Diet education is priority. Teach parents to read labels.
- Administer vitamins due to poor absorption: fat soluble vitamins (ADEK), iron, and folic acid.
- Prevent Celiac crisis: watery diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.