Celiac Disease

A disease characterized by the

permanent inability to tolerate
gluten (protein found in wheat,
rye oats and barley
Etiology and Incidence
Exact cause unknown
21:100,000
Second leading cause of
malabsorption syndrome
Familial tendencies
Pathophysiology
Ingestion of gluten

Inability to full digest gliadin (fraction of
gluten)

Accumulation of amino acid glutamine

Toxicity to the mucosal cell of the
intestines
Malabsorption of nutrients

Complications (related to unabsorbed
nutrients)

S/Sx
S/Sx
Fats: Steatorrhea
Proteins: Edema
Vitamin D & Calcium:
Osteomalacia
Vitamin K: bleeding
Iron: anemia
Nursing Interventions:
Gluten-free diet
Corn and rice
Supplemental calories,vitmains,
iron and calcium
Parenteral nutrition if indicated
During Celiac Crisis . . .
Acute episode:

Watery diarrhea and vomiting
(precipitated by GI infection, stress)

FVD and metabolic acidosis


IVF and electrolytes
Albumin infusions (prevent shock)
NGT decompression
Steroids