What Is Celiac Disease?
The protein gluten, which is present in cereal grains like wheat, barley, and rye, causes the common autoimmune disorder celiac disease. Approximately one in 100 people worldwide have a genetic predisposition to developing this disease, but only about 30 percent of those affected receive an accurate diagnosis. The small fingerlike projections called villi in the small intestine are responsible for absorbing nutrients, but when people with celiac disease consume gluten, their immune systems react to this by attacking the small intestine, damaging the villi in the process. The resulting malabsorption causes a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including those of diarrhea, exhaustion, weight loss, gas, and anemia.
Celiac disease is a genetic condition that tends to run in families. One in ten people who have a parent, child, or sibling with celiac disease will also develop the disease in the future. After gluten consumption has begun, it can manifest at any time. Serious health problems can arise from untreated celiac disease. While there is currently no cure, a gluten-free diet can help alleviate symptoms and promote intestinal healing for the vast majority of those who suffer from celiac disease.
Can a Mother With Celiac Disease Breastfeed?
Yes, a mother with celiac disease can breastfeed. Exclusive breastfeeding does not lead to the development of celiac disease in a baby. Consuming more than two slices of bread per day (the average amount of gluten in one serving) is associated with an increased risk of developing celiac disease. When infants first consume gluten-containing foods like cereal, bread, and pasta, they increase their risk of developing celiac disease. However, breastfeeding mothers who have celiac disease do not have to avoid gluten for themselves. Even if breastfeeding mothers eat gluten, their breast milk will not contain enough of the protein to make the baby sick or damage their digestive tract. It is important to follow the advice of a doctor if one suspects their child may have celiac disease and follow the proper diagnostic steps.
What Causes Celiac Disease in Babies?
It is still unclear what causes celiac disease in infants. However, it is thought that several things combine to cause the condition. The immune response to gluten is what causes villi, the finger-like structures in the small intestine responsible for nutrient absorption, to become damaged and cause the autoimmune disorder known as celiac disease.
Genetics is one such known factor. Some children are predisposed to developing celiac disease because they inherited a gene from a parent who also has the disorder. However, not everyone who carries this gene develops celiac disease. This raises the possibility that additional genetic factors contribute to the onset of the condition.
It is thought that having the susceptible genes, being exposed to gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye), and possibly being exposed to toxins or infections like rotavirus may all work together to cause celiac disease. These factors are thought to contribute to the development of celiac disease in susceptible individuals.
Furthermore, celiac disease can often co-occur with other conditions, including autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, hyperthyroidism (a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones, leading to an overactive metabolism), and hypothyroidism (a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, resulting in a slowed metabolism), as well as genetic disorders like Down syndrome (a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21), Turner syndrome (a genetic disorder, occurring in females when one of the X chromosomes is partially or completely missing), and Williams syndrome (genetic disorder, characterized by a deletion of genetic material from chromosome 7). These associations suggest that environmental and genetic factors may interact in a manner that is likely to be quite complicated in the process of celiac disease development in infants and young children.
What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease in Nursing Mothers?
Here are the symptoms of celiac disease in nursing mothers:
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Abdominal Pain: Nursing mothers with celiac disease may experience abdominal pain, especially after consuming gluten-containing foods.
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Poor Appetite: Due to the discomfort and symptoms associated with gluten ingestion, nursing mothers may have a reduced appetite.
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Irritability: Celiac disease can lead to irritability, possibly due to discomfort and digestive issues.
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Headaches: Constant headaches may be reported by nursing mothers, particularly after gluten consumption.
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Vomiting: Chronic vomiting can be a common symptom in nursing mothers with celiac disease.
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Diarrhea: Celiac disease is frequently accompanied by diarrhea, particularly frequent diarrhea.
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Learning Disabilities: Some patients, including nursing mothers, may experience learning disabilities as a result of celiac disease.
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Rash: A characteristic itchy and blistery rash, known as dermatitis herpetiformis, may appear on the elbows, knees, and buttocks, particularly in severe cases.
Does Breastfeeding Protect Against Celiac Disease?
Certain breastfeeding practices, such as introducing gluten to the diet gradually and exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, may help prevent celiac disease in genetically predisposed people from manifesting early. It appears that the implementation of these practices inhibits the development of severe celiac symptoms in young children and delays their onset by an average of 15 months. However, these interventions do not affect whether or not the child develops celiac disease eventually.
The mechanism behind this protective effect is not entirely clear but may involve the introduction of gliadin, a component of gluten, through breast milk in a controlled manner to induce antigenic tolerance. Breastmilk also contains elements like cytokines, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory immunoglobulins that may influence the infant's immune system and help modulate the response to gliadin, potentially reducing the risk of developing celiac disease.
Does Celiac Disease Influence Breast Milk Composition?
Celiac disease can impact breast milk composition, particularly in mothers with the condition. Research findings indicate that the milk produced by mothers diagnosed with celiac disease is deficient in probiotic bacteria and protective immune factors such as secretory IgA (sIgA) when compared to milk from mothers in good health. Several factors could explain why celiac disease and breast milk ingredients might be linked. Damage to the villi of the small intestine, which is a common complication of celiac disease, can affect both maternal IgA production and the concentration of sIgA in breast milk. Additionally, the inflammatory immune response associated with celiac disease may alter the concentration of immune factors in both maternal serum and breast milk.
A study suggested that breast milk from mothers with celiac disease had lower concentrations of sIgA, interleukin 12 (IL-12), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1). It also contained less DNA from gut-derived probiotic bacteria. These results suggest that autoimmunity, inflammation in the mother's gut in the past, or a mix of these things may have slowed down the production of IgA and cytokines in the mother, which led to these differences in the composition of the milk. Breastfeeding has been the subject of conflicting findings in terms of its potential protective effects against celiac disease, with some studies indicating a decreased risk.
What Is the Treatment for Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is predominantly managed through lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. It promotes intestinal healing and symptom relief. A dietitian can advise on safe foods, label reading, and nutritional balance. Gluten-free options include fruits, vegetables, meats, and gluten-free grains. Recovery time on the diet varies. Occasional discomfort is normal, but persistent issues should be reported. Gluten can be found in non-food products, but gluten-free alternatives are available. In rare cases, when the diet does not work, several factors could be involved, including non-compliance or other intestinal conditions requiring medications.
Conclusion
To conclude, breastfeeding and celiac disease have a significant association. While breastfeeding practices may delay the onset of celiac symptoms, they do not prevent the eventual development of the disease. The primary treatment is a strict gluten-free diet, and in rare cases, unresponsive to this treatment may involve non-compliance or other intestinal conditions requiring medications. Gluten-free alternatives are available for non-food products containing gluten.
