Many people around the world may be living with a disorder that they may not 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 usually affecting the proximal parts of the small intestine, caused by an inadequate immune reaction to contact with gluten in genetically predisposed people (Osmancevic, 2011, p134). Celiac disease occurs when the body cannot digest any food that contains gluten, which is a protein found in wheat plants and used in flour products. Celiac disease is one of the most common lifelong disorders worldwide and is characterized by a variety of clinical presentations depending on the age group (Poplawska, 2008, p317). If you have celiac disease and eat gluten-containing foods, your body is unable to absorb nutrients from that food due to damage to your intestines. If someone in your family suffers from celiac disease, they will most likely pass it down through genetics. Most tests and diagnoses can now be performed in newborns and younger children to diagnose them early. Impact on patients and their care Because children have intestinal and stomach problems, parents take 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, & Dejica, 2011, p32). Approximately 75% of children with celiac disease 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 clinic staff www.mayo.edu/research/discovery-edge/celiac-disease-riseMayo. (2013, May 22). Diseases and conditions: celiac disease. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/celiac-diseaseOsmancevic, L. (2011). The clinical characteristics of celiac disease in children at the time of diagnosis. Pediatrics Today, 7(2), 133-139. Retrieved from www.paediatricstoday.comPoplawska, A. (2008). How does celiac disease manifest itself in infants and young children today? Gastroenterolgia Polska, 15(3), 317-321. Retrieved from www.cornetis.com.plSamasca, G., Bruchental, M., Butnariu, A., Pirvan, A., Andreica, M., Cristea, V., & Dejica, D. (2011). Difficulty in diagnosing celiac disease in children. A journal of clinical medicine, 6(1), 32-35.