Celiac Disease Complications
If celiac disease is left untreated, complications may develop. Some of these problems can occur because of the small intestine's inability to digest food and absorb nutrients properly. Other problems may develop from damage to the intestinal lining that may or may not cause noticeable symptoms.
In children, celiac disease may produce noticeable and more severe symptoms than in some adults. Even though symptoms are often milder in teens and adults, they may also have complications, although some teen and adult complications are different from those that affect children.
Complications in children
Children who have untreated celiac disease may develop complications such as:
Complications in teens
Teens who have untreated celiac disease can have many of the same problems as those in younger children. In addition, they may have:
It is sometimes hard for teens to consistently follow a gluten-free diet. Make sure your teen knows that the more he or she doesn't follow the diet, the more likely the above complications are to develop.
Complications in adults
Adults who have celiac disease may develop complications such as:
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