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Management and Follow-up Care for Coeliac Disease
Once your child has been diagnosed with coeliac disease, they will be reviewed within 5 - 6 months by a doctor. They will also see a dietitian as soon as possible after diagnosis to advise on the gluten free diet and lifestyle.
After the initial dietitian’s appointment, suitable follow up will be arranged and may vary depending on individual need.
Once established on the gluten free diet and blood tests have returned to normal, your child should expect to be seen at least annually for a review. For some children, this will mean seeing the dietitian and the consultant alternate years. For others they may see the consultant and the dietitian every year.
Follow-up Care Plan
The only treatment for Coeliac Disease is a lifelong strict gluten-free diet. It is important that the diet is adhered to, as it will enable the villi in the small intestine to heal and the symptoms to resolve. It will also reduce the risk of the long-term complications of poorly managed coeliac disease.
The doctor or dietitian can help you to assess an improvement in symptoms and discuss any problems or concerns you may have in managing your child’s diet.
What Care Can We Expect at the Annual Review?
- Weight, height and BMI (body mass index) should be recorded. Sometimes children with poorly controlled coeliac disease may not grow as we would like so it is important to monitor growth
- Assessment of any ongoing symptoms
- An annual blood test. The following are checked:
- Coeliac antibodies (tTGs and endomysial) this is the main measure of how well the diet is being adhered to
- Anaemia screen (haemoglobin and ferritin) to check for iron deficiency
- Liver function test
- Vitamins B12, D, folate and calcium
- Kidney function
- Thyroid function
- Your child may be offered the pneumococcal vaccination - Coeliac UK recommends that everyone with coeliac disease is vaccinated against pneumococcal infection. This is generally a one-off vaccination
- Discussion regarding prescriptions and ease of access
- Discussion regarding living with the gluten free diet, cooking, shopping and eating out with coeliac disease
- Advice regarding holidays and school trips
- General healthy lifestyle advice, including exercise
- Discussion with your child about their compliance with the diet.
Useful Contacts and References
Coeliac UK
https:/
Coeliac UK is the charity dedicated to the help and support of people with Coeliac disease
NHS Choices:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/Coeliac-disease/Pages Introduction.aspx
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/089
Approval date:
22 May 2026
Review date:
1 May 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.