What Is Failure To Thrive And Growth Retardation?

[dropcap]F ailure to thrive (FTT) and growth retardation are conditions affecting children characterized by weight consistently below the 3rd percentile for age or a decrease in the expected rate of growth based on the child’s previously defined growth curve, irrespective of whether below the 3rd parcentile.¹

Q: Why do failure to thrive and growth retardation occur?

A: Failure to thrive and growth retardation occur because there is inadequate nutrition for weight gain and growth to occur.

What Is Failure To Thrive And Growth Retardation In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Arnason JA, Gudjonsson H, Freysdottir J, Jonsdottir I, Valdimarsson H. Do adults with high gliadin antibody concentrations have subclinical gluten intolerance? Gut. 1992 February; 33(2): 194–197. [↩]

What Is Chronic Bullous Dermatosis Of Childhood?

[dropcap]C hronic bullous dermatosis of childhood, also termed linear IgA dermatosis, is the most common acquired autoimmune blistering disorder of childhood and is characterized by itchy, urticated papules and plaques as well as polycyclic lesions (merged circles) with blisters at the edge, located on normal looking skin around the mouth and perineum in young children. In children over 7 years, other parts of the body may rather be affected.

Q: What tissue is targeted in chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood?

A: In chronic bullous dermatosis of childhood, there is an autoimmune attack on structural proteins, usually proteolytic fragments of collagen XVII, which renders the dermal-epidermal junction prone to blistering.

The dermal-epidermal junction is where the surface skin layer, or epidermis, meets the lower layer, or dermis. Diagnosis is confirmed by characteristic histology and direct immunofluorescence showing linear IgA (immunoglobulin A antibody) staining of the basement membrane zone.¹

The incidence of chronic bullous disease of childhood is rare. Age of onset is typically before 5 years of age and is seen in all ethnic groups.

What Is Chronic Bullous Dermatosis Of Childhood In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Mintz EM, Morel KD.Clinical features, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of chronic bullous disease of childhood. Dermatol Clin. 2011 Jul;29(3):459-62, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2011.03.022. [↩]

Sudden, repeated attacks of severe vomiting, nausea, and physical exhaustion with no apparent cause that occur in children and adults, but more often in children. Attacks can last from a few hours to 10 days.… 

The plural form of diverticulum. See diverticulum.

A procedure to inspect the hollow organs of upper digestive tract by use of an endoscope. An endoscope is a medical device consisting of a long, thin tube and an optical device. Observable organs include… 

Swelling or red sores on the lower legs during flare-ups of Crohn

Excessive gas in the stomach or intestine that can cause bloating and flatus.

An operation to remove part or all of the stomach.

All the DNA contained in an organism or a cell, which includes both the chromosomes within the nucleus and the DNA in mitochondria.

Medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach. Histamine2 (H2) signals the stomach to make acid.