Coeliac disease is an immune disease caused by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. When people with coeliac disease eat gluten, a harmful immune reaction occurs that causes inflammation and damages the small bowel. Untreated coeliac disease can cause different symptoms and health problems in various organs. Treatment consists of avoiding – strictly and for life – the consumption of gluten in the diet and thus allowing the gut to heal and improving the health of the person with coeliac disease.
Given that coeliac disease has very important implications for health, a definitive diagnosis is extremely important. For this reason, it is not recommended to start a gluten-free diet before coeliac disease has been ruled out, because the tests used for its diagnosis will not be reliable.
See your paediatrician if you think that the RAP is related to the intake of foods containing gluten, and do not remove them completely from the diet until the diagnosis of coeliac disease has been confirmed or ruled out.