Gluten intolerence and Introduction of Gluten in Children

Gluten intolerance, and in its severe form Celiac Disease are digestive illnesses where the intestines cannot digest gluten, a substance found in most wheat products and breads. These patients often develop diarrhea and can get severe inflammation associated with anemia and weight loss. Many believe that gluten itself is an inflammatory promoter and can lead to other diseases such as arthritis.

Although there are some tests for the most severe cases, now a days there are so many gluten free foods a relatively simple elimination diet can help make the diagnosis.

There have been some who believed that the early (or late) introduction of gluten into a child's diet could affect their sensitivity. A recent study suggests that this is false.

In two studies of about 1000 children each, introducing gluten at 6 months versus 12 months made absolutely no difference. Neither did breast feeding. Evidently this is a genetic related disease with at least these environmental factors unrelated.