By SmashMeals Editorial · Published · Updated
Celiac disease often looks different in children than in adults, and it is easy to miss. A stomachache that keeps coming back, slow growth or a child who seems irritable for no reason can all be signs. An October 2026 nationwide study from France adds new data on how often children are diagnosed. Here is what parents should know about symptoms, who should be tested and why going gluten-free too early can backfire.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk with your child's pediatrician before changing their diet.
How common is celiac disease in children?
A study published in Pediatric Research on October 22, 2026 identified 41,690 children with celiac disease in France from 2011 to 2022. Diagnosed prevalence was 0.15% in 2022, ranging from 0.08% to 0.25% by region. Median age at diagnosis rose from 6 to 7, and girls were diagnosed more often than boys. Read our news coverage.
That study counted diagnosed cases. Many people with celiac disease are never tested. In the United States, Beyond Celiac estimates about 1 in 133 people has celiac disease, up to 83% are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and the average wait for a diagnosis is 6 to 10 years.
Signs in children
MedlinePlus notes that "Symptoms are different for children and adults." In children, MedlinePlus lists the signs below:
| Digestive signs | Other signs |
|---|---|
| Belly bloating or pain | Poor weight gain or weight loss |
| Chronic diarrhea with foul-smelling stool | Delayed puberty |
| Constipation | Irritability |
| Nausea and vomiting | Mention any other changes to your pediatrician |
Some children have few or no symptoms at all.
Who should be tested
MedlinePlus says testing may be needed for people with symptoms and for people at higher risk even without symptoms, including those with:
- A close family member with celiac disease
- Type 1 diabetes or another autoimmune condition
In the French study, 9.7% of children with celiac disease also had type 1 diabetes. Beyond Celiac notes estimates that 5% to 22% of people with celiac disease have a first-degree relative who also has it.
How testing works
The most common first step is a blood test:
| Test | What it does |
|---|---|
| tTG-IgA | The most commonly used celiac antibody test |
| Total IgA | Checks for IgA deficiency, which can make tTG-IgA falsely low |
| DGP antibodies | Often used when IgA is low and for children under 2 |
A positive blood test is usually followed by a specialist visit, and often an intestinal biopsy, to confirm the diagnosis.
Do not go gluten-free before testing
This is the most important practical point. MedlinePlus says "you'll need to continue to eat foods with gluten for a few weeks before testing." If your child stops eating gluten first, the test can come back falsely normal, and getting a clear answer later may require reintroducing gluten. Talk to your pediatrician before making any change.
After a diagnosis
A strict gluten-free diet is currently the only treatment. That means learning labels, guarding against cross-contact at home and school, and planning for parties and holidays. Helpful starting points:
- Newly diagnosed celiac meals
- Certified gluten-free labels explained
- Gluten-free Halloween candy guide
- Eating out with celiac disease
Research on medicines is moving. Two drugs targeting the same immune pathway reported positive results in October 2026; our celiac treatment pipeline guide explains where they stand.
Dinners the whole family can share
When one child has celiac disease, many families find it easier to make the whole dinner gluten-free. SmashMeals cooks in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen in Kingsport, Tennessee, so every meal is gluten-free; check ingredients for other allergens. See our gluten-free family meals, or order this week's meals.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- What are signs of celiac disease in a child?
- MedlinePlus lists nausea and vomiting, belly bloating, constipation, chronic diarrhea with foul-smelling stool, poor weight gain or weight loss, delayed puberty and irritability.
- Which children should be tested for celiac disease?
- Children with symptoms, and those at higher risk such as having a close family member with celiac disease or type 1 diabetes, even without symptoms.
- Should my child stop eating gluten before a celiac test?
- No. MedlinePlus says to keep eating gluten for a few weeks before testing, following your provider's instructions; stopping first can cause a falsely normal result.