The gut.

A reaction to a food, drug, or other substance.

A disorder that causes part of the intestines to fold into another part, causing blockage. It is most common in infants and can be treated with an operation.

A disorder of unknown cause that is associated with abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Also called spastic colon or mucous colitis.

Irritation of the colon caused by decreased blood flow. It may cause bloody diarrhea.

What Is Developmental Delay?

D evelopmental delay is failure in infants and young children to meet expected milestones, such as smiling for the first time or taking the first steps, due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas.

These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person’s lifetime.¹

What Is Developmental Delay In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Developmental Disabilities: Delivery of Medical Care for Children and Adults. I. Leslie Rubin and Allen C. Crocker. Philadelphia, Pa, Lea & Febiger, 1989. [↩]

What Is Stroke In Childhood?

S troke in childhood is a medical emergency during which blood flow to an area of the brain is stopped, causing infarction or death of the area of cells in the brain fed by the blocked artery. Stroke is characterized by loss of muscle and brain function according to the location of the lost cells.

The brain is a highly active metabolic and complex organ of our body that performs important functions, therefore, any disruption in its normal functioning can have devastating effects on whole body.

After stroke, an immune response is initiated that leads to production of proinflammatory cytokines (chemicals) and gathering of various inflammatory cells like neutrophils, T-cells, macrophage, and monocytes to the affected area that exacerbate or worsen the ischemic (oxygen starved) injury.¹

Arterial ischemic stroke is an important cause of acquired brain injury in children.² This stroke results from loss of adequate blood flow through an artery that supplies the affected area of the brain with oxygen and nutrients.

A recent study found the majority of  children (85%) had focal features (most commonly one sided weakness or paralysis) at presentation to their medical practitioner. Seizures were more common in younger children a year old or younger and headache was more common in children 5 years or older.³

Who is at Risk in the General Population?

• A British study in 2014 found the crude incidence of childhood arterial ischemic stroke was 1.60 per 100,000 per year.
• The incidence of arterial ischemic stroke was highest in children aged under 1 year (4.14 per 100,000 per year).
• There was no difference in the risk of arterial ischemic stroke between sexes.
• Asian and black children were at higher risk than were white children.³

What Is Stroke in Childhood In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Andrabi SS, Parvez S, Tabassum H. Melatonin and Ischemic Stroke: Mechanistic Roles and Action. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2015;2015:384750. doi: 10.1155/2015/384750. Epub 2015 Sep 7. [↩]
2. Mallick AA, Ganesan V, Kirkham FJ, et al. Childhood arterial ischaemic stroke incidence, presenting features, and risk factors: a prospective population-based study. Lancet Neurol. 2014 Jan;13(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(13)70290-4. Epub 2013 Dec 2. [↩]
3. Mallick AA, Ganesan V, Kirkham FJ, et al. Childhood arterial ischaemic stroke incidence, presenting features, and risk factors: a prospective population-based study. Lancet Neurol. 2014 Jan;13(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(13)70290-4. Epub 2013 Dec 2. [↩] [↩]

What Is Glycogenic Acanthosis?

Glycogenic acanthosis is a benign thickening of the esophageal squamous epithelium (surface cell lining)  characterized by the presence of numerous, uniformly grey-white plaques made up of large squamous cells filled with glycogen.

The wax-like plaques in glycogenic acanthosis are usually 2-10 mm in diameter and may be confluent round elevations involving the entire esophageal surface.¹

On x-ray  views of the well-distended esophagus, the plaques appear as a finely nodular or cobblestone mucosal pattern.

The findings are not associated with mucosal ulcerations, luminal narrowing, or mobility disturbance, although some patients may have coexistent hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux.²

What Is Glycogenic Acanthosis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Suoglu OD, Emiroglu HH, Sokucu S, Cantez S, Cevikbas U, Saner G. Celiac disease and glycogenic acanthosis: a new association? Acta Paediatrica. Apr 2004;93(4):568-70. [↩]
2. Ghahremani GG, Rushovich AM. Glycogenic acanthosis of the esophagus: radiographic and pathologic features. Gastrointest Radiol. 1984;9(2):93-8. [↩]

What Is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

J uvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic, inflammatory disease of large and small synovial joints and other organs in children under age 16 years. Growth and development may be impaired in these children.¹

Q: Which joints are affected in juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

A: In juvenile idiopathic arthritis the joints that are affected are variable and so are the manifestations.

According to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) classification system, there are seven different subtypes of  juvenile idiopathic arthritis. 

The main treatment to reduce inflammation and relieve pain is with non-steroidal inflammatories such as Ibuprofen.

What Is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Stagi S, Giani T, Simonini G, Falcini F. Thyroid function, autoimmune thyroiditis and coeliac disease in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Rheumatology. Apr 2005;44(4):517-20. [↩]

What Is Cancer Predisposition In Children?

C ancer predisposition in children signifies a higher than normal risk of developing cancer. Cancer is the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in the body.

Among the 12 major types of childhood cancers, leukemias (blood cell cancers) and cancers of the brain and central nervous system account for more than half of the new cases. About one-third of childhood cancers are leukemias.

The most common type of leukemia in children is acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The most common solid tumors are brain tumors (e.g., gliomas and medulloblastomas), with other solid tumors (e.g., neuroblastomas, Wilms tumors, and sarcomas such as rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma) being less common according to the National Cancer Institute.

On average, 1 to 2 children develop the disease each year for every 10,000 children in the United States.

What Is Cancer Predisposition In Children In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?