Reply to Weight gain/growth issues in 10 year old - ADHD, anxiety, allergies, low tone

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My rising 5th grader with multiple issues has failed to gain more than 2-3 pounds in the past two years or so. [...] dropped off his growth curve [...] always been very thin [...] his weight is now &lt;1% on the charts. [...] extremely picky eater and if anything, his eating habits have worsened over the years.  [...] mostly eats bread/carb-based foods,  
[also: ADHD, anxiety]
 [...] occasional issues with constipation/diarrhea.

Celiac parent here: push to test that kid for celiac right away!

Both my kids were diagnosed 18 mo ago; one had been putting on weight, the other one getting skinny. Both were fairly picky and loved carbs, bread, etc. One had SEVERE anxiety and lots of ADHD-like / autism-like behaviors, though both diagnoses were ruled out.

Turns out for that kid, the undiagnosed celiac was a significant factor: anxiety level and ADHD-/autism-like behaviors have been reducing on the GF diet. (Not gone, and definitely recur when physically or emotionally compromised - glutened, tired, stressed, etc. - but So. Much. Better.

Be ready for push back from your doctor; years ago, doctors in the US were taught that CD is rare, presented as diarrhea, skinny/stunted kids, mostly Irish, affects GI tract only, etc. None of that is correct: it's about 1% of the population, affects all ethnicities/ages/sizes, 300+ symptoms associated, affecting multiple body systems (brain, skin, joints, not just GI).

I recommend "Gluten Freedom" by Alessio Fasano (head of MGH Celiac Center) as a good backgrounder. Also, run through the symptoms checklist at beyondceliac.org or similar sites.

BTW, (a) a negative test doesn't mean he doesn't have it - some people show up only on biopsy, and (b) even if CD is ruled out, non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a thing so it's worth trialing a GF diet. (No biomarkers or tests for that yet unfortunately.)

Hope that helps - good luck! [/quote]

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