Coeliac or gastroenteritis?

[Jergens]

My DD has had diarrhoea for 5 days now. She is having about three episodes a day (at the same times as she would normally move her bowels. Nothing at night. The diarrhoea is almost totally liquid and is foul-smelling. She normally eats very well but has been off her food for about a week. Preceding the bowel symptoms, she had a bad cold and low grade temperature. She is otherwise totally well and
happy.

I initially thought it was a tummy bug but now not sure. Would a tummy bug last this long? Also, would in not cause her to have more frequent dirty diapers than usual as well? Would she not be a bit miserable with it?

DH has coeliac disease (diagnosed at 30 yrs). I know that DD has a 10% risk of getting it. DD is 12 mos old. She is EBF (still has BM twice a day; cows milk started at one year, once a day) and weaned at 5.5 months. Gluten introduced at 7 months. She has never had any probs with growth - always tracked along 75th centile.

Really hope that she doesn't have coeliac but if she does, I'd like to diagnose it early.

Thanks.

If you are worried, take her to the GP, but at this stage to rule out gastroenteritis as I doubt they would look onto coeliac with symptoms of only 5 days.

I'm in a similar situation with my son. I have coeliacs. I have been advised to wean him as normal but to be vigilant for symptoms. Not just bowel movements, but general health, lethargy, growth etc. My niece had a positive diagnosis at about 18 months, after months of horrible nappies and dropping the centile lines. One dr dismissed it at first saying she was too young, but aftercare second opinion she was tested.

Hope it is just a bug and she gets better soon.

Thanks bex. I took DD to the GP today. He was v reassuring. Said that CD would be unlikely to present in this way in a baby. Also said that it is v common for gastroenteritis to last this long at DDs age. Any time she has diarrhoea, the possibility of CD will always be at the front of my mind!
Thanks for your response.