Coeliac disease & growth

Coeliac disease — an immune reaction to gluten (a protein in wheat, barley and rye) — can cause poor growth, tiredness and tummy symptoms. Because those overlap with thalassaemia, teams often screen for it with a simple blood test, especially when a child’s growth is slow.

If it’s found, the treatment is a gluten-free diet, which usually resolves the symptoms and helps growth get back on track. A dietitian can make the change straightforward.