Nutrition for children suffering from coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is a systemic autoimmune disease caused by gluten occurring in genetically susceptible individuals. Clinical manifestations of coeliac disease have changed over past decades. It became more diverse and begins later. Children with common gastrointestinal symptoms are on decline while children with uncommon extraintestinal symptoms are on the rise. The high sensitivity and specificity of coeliac- specific antibodies in a group of pediatric patients with disease manifestation allowed diagnosis without biopsy. The currently used treatment for coeliac disease is lifelong strict gluten-free diet. The aim of the work was to determine the current state of knowledge of coeliac disease in children, available diagnostical methods, and treatment of coeliac disease. Furthermore, my goal was to inform about the issue of gluten-free diet, the legislation, state support, contributions of health insurers, the range and availability of gluten-free foods, their financial demands and the function of patient organizations. The aim of the practical part of my work was to find out which circumstances triggered the initial coeliac disease diagnosis in children and to inform about the problems associated with maintaining a gluten-free diet in families with children suffering from coeliac disease. The select..