when to test child for CD?

[Anj1a]

Those of you with CD diagnosed in adulthood but with children - is there any evidence to suggest it’s beneficial to limit gluten in the diet? A fellow coeliac recently told me age 4 is when to get tested but he couldn’t recall where he got that info from. My daughter has no obvious signs and we haven’t excluded gluten from her diet but I always wonder if I should…. Any new evidence?

[Cooper27]

Some countries routinely test for coeliac disease in all children, but I think the age they do that tends to be around 10. It wouldn't be common to test in the UK unless a sibling is diagnosed or they develop symptoms though.I wouldn't go to great lengths to limit gluten in their diet at this point personally, as it could make it harder to get tested in future, and it's also just worth letting them enjoy food flexibility.

[cranberryt]

In the US, getting tested is going to be based on symptoms and I believe I read the most celiac diagnoses come by the age of 2. They tend to be kids who do not grow as they should. I had a friend who’s daughter was sick throughout her childhood and celiac was finally diagnosed as a teenager. Whether or not to limit gluten in a healthy child is certainly up for debate. Carbs in general can lead to inflammation over time so one could argue moderation for all with regards to carbs in general and gluten in specifically. But on the other hand, when doctors used to tell parents no peanut butter until after age 2 they found the rate of peanut allergies actually increased. So to sum up… who knows? 😂