Many people around the world may be living with a condition they don't even realize they have. I had never heard of this disorder until a few years ago when my father was diagnosed with celiac disease. Celiac disease is a chronic disease that typically attacks the proximal parts of the small intestine and is caused by an inadequate immune response to contact with gluten in genetically predisposed individuals (Osmancevic, 2011, p134). Celiac disease occurs when your body cannot digest any foods containing gluten, a protein found in wheat plants and used in flour products. Celiac disease is one of the most common persistent disorders worldwide and is characterized by a variety of clinical presentations depending on age group (Poplawska, 2008, p317). If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, your body is not able to absorb the nutrients from these foods due to damage to the intestines. If a member of your family has celiac disease, it is likely that it is passed down genetically. Most tests and diagnostics can now be done in infants and young children to detect them early. Impact on Patients and Patient Care As children have intestinal and stomach problems, parents bring them to the doctor more often. The classic signs of celiac disease in a child are abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, flatulence and regurgitation (Samasca, Bruchental, Butnariu, Pirvan, Andreica, Cristea and Dejica, 2011, p32) . Up to 75 percent of children with CD are overweight or obese (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013). Some children may experience neurological symptoms that may include headaches, muscle coordination problems, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder (ADHD). ...... middle of paper ...... could occur if left untreated. References Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010, July). Celiac disease: on the rise. Retrieved from www.mayo.edu/research/discovery-edge/celiac-disease-riseMayo Clinic Staff. (May 22, 2013). Diseases and Conditions: Celiac disease. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/celiac-disease Osmancevic, L. (2011). Clinical features of celiac disease in children at the time of detection. Pediatrics Today, 7(2), 133-139. Retrieved from www.paediatricstoday.comPoplawska, A. (2008). How does celiac disease manifest in infants and young children today? Gastroenterology Polska, 15(3), 317-321. Retrieved from www.cornetis.com.plSamasca, G., Bruchental, M., Butnariu, A., Pirvan, A., Andreica, M., Cristea, V. and Dejica, D. (2011). Difficulties in diagnosing celiac disease in children. A Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6(1), 32-35.