Childhood may hold some of the best times of our lives, and though much of childhood might seem carefree, when you add an autoimmune disorder into the equation, things tend to get a bit complicated – and scary – for both the child and the parent.
An autoimmune disorder in children is considered rare, but it’s important to know that these diseases are on the rise. As a parent, it’s also important that you’re aware of the signs and symptoms of these diseases so that you can seek a proper diagnosis and treatment for your child. That’s why in this article we’ve included which autoimmune diseases are most common in children and their symptoms.
If you’d like to learn more, or if you believe that your child may have an autoimmune disorder, schedule a consultation with Dr. Autoimmune today.
Autoimmune Disorders in Children
Aside from Celiac Disease, most pediatric autoimmune diseases are uncommon. However, autoimmune diseases in children often prove to be the most challenging for providers who practice functional medicine.
When treating autoimmune diseases in children, providers often take a collaborative approach with both diagnosis and treatment in order to give a more thorough evaluation.
The most common autoimmune diseases in children include the following:
- Celiac Disease
- Type-1 Diabetes
- Juvenile Arthritis
- Lupus
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Multiple autoimmune syndrome
Each autoimmune disease referenced above attacks the body in a different way. And in order to know if your child has a specific type of autoimmune disorder, it’s helpful to know a little about each – and its identifying symptoms.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is the most commonly diagnosed autoimmune disease in children – more commonly associated with children aged 3 or under. It’s also important to note that this disease typically occurs after wheat or gluten is introduced to the child – usually when a child is between six to nine months old. However, some children may develop the condition several years later.
If you suspect your child may have celiac disease, he or she may exhibit one or a combination of the following symptoms:
- Decreased appetite
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Chronic melancholy
- Constipation
- Colic
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain (cramps)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
Severe cases of celiac disease in children may begin first with diarrhea that persists day after day. Then weight loss or dehydration typically follows.
If this is the case, it’s important that you take your child in for a medical evaluation as there could be other underlying factors that could be contributing to the condition – and this is where functional medicine can play an important role.
Type-1 Diabetes
Type-1 Diabetes is also sometimes referred to as juvenile diabetes and typically manifests during adolescence. However, this condition can also be found in younger children, and it can also affect young adults.
Type-1 diabetes occurs when your child’s pancreas makes little or no insulin, which assists blood sugar upon entering cells for energy conversion.
It’s also important to note that unfortunately there is no known cure or prevention for type-1 diabetes.
Symptoms of type-1 diabetes in children may include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Stomach pains
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Extreme thirst
- Weight loss
- Anxiety
Though a cure is not currently available for type-1 diabetes, if you can handle your child’s diabetes care on a daily basis, your child may still be able to stay relatively healthy. This includes ensuring that they’re eating healthy foods and receiving proper nutrition, keeping up with insulin regimens, and keeping in touch with their healthcare provider frequently.
Juvenile Arthritis
For many years, parents commonly believed that children would eventually outgrow juvenile arthritis. However, this is a myth. Though some cases of remission are evident and have been documented, cases of this autoimmune disorder are typically long-lasting and may require treatment throughout life.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis often causes frequent joint pain, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness.
Additional symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis often include:
- Fatigue
- Warmth or redness near joints
- Eye inflammation
- Swollen joints
- Stiffness
It’s important to know that your child’s symptoms may be the most severe after waking up in the morning, or sometimes after your child has taken a nap.
Autoimmune thyroiditis
Autoimmune thyroiditis usually occurs in adolescents, but can present even in younger children. This is a common acquired cause of thyroid disease in children.
AT can be either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Genes and environmental factors cause this disease in children.
Additional symptoms often include:
- constipation
- depression
- enlarged thyroid
- fatigue
- joint stiffness
- muscle weakness
- puffy eyes
- sensitivity to cold
- slow heart rate
- swelling in extremities
- or weight gain
Lupus
Pediatric lupus is most commonly detected in children just as they begin to enter adolescence – typically around 12 years of age. However, cases of lupus in younger children have also been documented, though this is extremely rare – especially in children under 5 years of age.
When a child has lupus, this can cause severe joint pain, fever, rashes, and organ damage. Though much more severe in children, lupus affects children in many of the same ways that it affects adults. As such, lupus in children can involve multiple organs in more severe cases.
Children with Lupus may experience the following symptoms:
- Red rash on the cheeks and/or nose
- Disc-shaped rash with areas that appear raised
- Skin rash after exposure to the sun
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Joint pain
In more severe cases, fluid buildup around the heart or lungs as well as kidney failure can manifest in children. And if your child is showing any symptoms, getting a professional diagnosis and treatment plan implemented early is going to be key to treating pediatric lupus as your child ages.
Multiple autoimmune syndrome
MAS is the combination of three or more autoimmune diseases in a person. One of the disorders pertains to skin – either scleroderma or psoriasis.
Around 50% of the people suffering from an autoimmune disease are likely to get more autoimmune disorders, especially the longer the disease exists.
Treating Autoimmune Disorders in Children
No parent wants to watch their child suffer from any illness. And with regular treatment, your child may have the chance at living a normal and full life despite his or her condition. But with autoimmune disorders in children, you have to be prepared to care for your child and keep up with any treatment plan that your provider recommends – and prepare to go the distance.
Functional medical practitioners like Dr. Autoimmune focuses on the root cause of a disease. We understand that there may be several underlying factors that contribute to your child’s illness.
Functional medicine excels at this aspect of determining the root cause and how to rehab the immune system. If you suspect that your child may have an autoimmune disorder, or if they’ve exhibited any persistent symptoms consistent with an autoimmune disease, schedule a consultation with Dr. Autoimmune today!
Call us today at 303-882-8447 or click here to get your child started on the journey back to optimal health. We are 100% remote so your child can heal from anywhere!
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