Celiac disease —an allergy to gluten, a protein found in wheat and barley — is on the rise among children and to avoid delayed diagnosis of the allergy doctors have suggested the need to create awareness.
And to address this issue, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is joining hands with Hope and Helping Hand Society and Celiac Support Organisation in holding a marathon for celiac awareness on December 11 Jawaharlal lal Nehru Stadium New Delhi.
Dr Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, Senior Consultant Pediatric Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said, “Till late eighties, celiac disease was considered rare in our country. However many studies, including the most recent multi centric study carried by ICMR, have shown that the disease affects a significant number of individuals. The only known treatment for this disease is life-long adherence to a totally gluten free diet. The diagnosis requires a simple blood test and an endoscopy. An early diagnosis can help prevent significant stunting and severe malnutrition. There is a lot of research effort going on to find a specific cure for this disease.”IJ
The doctor said the awareness regarding the disease, in the public remains “very poor resulting in delayed diagnosis.”