Thanks to the test at the clinic, NOSEsmée and her brother know that they have to eat gluten-free
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 17:11
Esmée (8) has known for four years that she cannot tolerate gluten. Her mother Jeanine van Aalst-Gies has since found out that this also applies to herself and her son. But the question is whether they would have known that if they had not lived in the Kennemerland region.
Toddlers with complaints have been examined at the clinic for celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, for some time now. This does not happen in the rest of the country, although researchers and the patient association would like to see it differently.
The VVD is now asking in a motion to investigate whether accessible testing can be rolled out nationally. That motion seems likely to gain a majority tomorrow. “By testing at the clinic, we can detect hypersensitivity to gluten more quickly and prevent a lot of suffering in children,” says VVD MP Tielen. “In this way we ensure improved and targeted prevention.”
‘The chameleon among diseases’
Gluten intolerance is also called “the chameleon among diseases”, says Caroline Meijer, pediatrician at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Because patients have very different complaints, from abdominal pain or a growth disorder to fatigue and more vague complaints. It makes the disease difficult to recognize.
In people with celiac disease who eat gluten, the immune system attacks the intestinal wall. As a result, they absorb fewer nutrients in the long run. Complaints stop when they no longer eat gluten, i.e. no wheat, rye and barley. Otherwise, they run the risk of complications such as osteoporosis, fertility problems and even cancer.
Since she stopped eating gluten, Esmée is growing well again. Her hair is no longer frizzy and she has less stomach pain. Her mother suffered from osteoporosis as a result of the late diagnosis, but is now taking pills to prevent it from getting worse.
Discovered seven times as often
Research by the LUMC and Jeugdgezondheidszorg Kennemerland has confirmed what many scientists already suspected: the vast majority of celiac disease patients are not diagnosed. Based on international research, it is suspected that 1 to 2 percent of Dutch people suffer from it, while most do not know it.
A finger prick blood test was done during the study for toddlers with complaints. Nearly 2 percent of them had celiac disease. This means that the disease has been detected in the region at least seven times as often as in the rest of the country. “When the research was running for a while, we heard from pediatricians from the nearby hospital that it was really noticeable that they were seeing more and more children with celiac disease at their consultation hours,” says Lucy Smit, youth doctor at jgz Kennemerland.
Parents, such as Esmée’s mother, have also been traced thanks to the screening.
Cost-effective
According to the researchers, the trial has now also proven to be cost-effective, because patients are doing better and health care costs are being saved later. Leiden pediatrician Meijer says that people who find out they have celiac disease have been living with complaints for an average of seven years: “We sometimes see that people have already had intestinal examinations, CT scans and MRIs and been to psychologists before they receive the diagnosis. Already You can prevent these investigations with early testing.”
The researchers are not afraid that people with few complaints will be unnecessarily imposed on a complicated diet. “We see that parents and children are happy with the diagnosis. The diet takes some getting used to, but it resolves complaints, for example, children can participate well at school again and it prevents complications,” says Meijer. Jeanine van Aalst-Gies is also happy that she knows. “My complaints are gone and for Esmée and her brother, osteoporosis can be prevented.”
Prevention or care
In Kennemerland they have continued testing since the research was completed at the end of 2022. “We think that is important, because we just see what it does when people know. For example, we have seen parents who turned out to have a much livelier child than they thought when they gave up gluten,” says pediatrician Smit. But in Kennemerland they cannot continue testing in the long term without structural money.
The Dutch Celiac Association says that the main question now is who should pay for the testing. Because health insurers usually do not reimburse youth health care. But because it concerns investigation into complaints, it does not fall under the prevention fund. And, despite the long-term cost savings, money is needed first.
The patient association therefore hopes that the House will adopt the motion tomorrow and that a way will be found to roll out ‘gluten screen’ more widely.
Gluten-Free Discovery: A Cheeky Take on Celiac Testing
Ah, the wonders of modern medicine! Who knew that living in Kennemerland could be the ticket to discovering whether your child is a gluten threat or a gluten-free gourmand? Meet Esmée, the 8-year-old gluten detective whose taste buds have turned into highly skilled investigative units. Thanks to some good old-fashioned clinic testing, she’s been armed with the knowledge that gluten is about as welcome in her life as a cat at a dog park!
Four years without gluten? And her mother, Jeanine van Aalst-Gies, has discovered the same for herself and Esmée’s brother. Now that’s what I call a family affair! Imagine the dinner table conversations: “Pass the pasta! Oh wait, not that pasta!” So here’s the big question: would they have discovered this gluten-free lifestyle if they didn’t reside in the magical land called Kennemerland? Probably not, unless there was a local gnome dedicated to diagnosing gluten intolerances!
The Chameleon Disease
Let’s talk about gluten intolerance and its snazzy nickname — “the chameleon among diseases.” Dr. Caroline Meijer from the Leiden University Medical Center is waving the diagnostic flag here, folks! It’s a sneaky little devil because it can show up looking like a bad case of everything: abdominal pain, fatigue, and even growth disorders. Basically, it’s like the mystery box on a cooking show where no one knows what’s inside. Is it good? Is it bad? Tune in next week!
What’s more, if you’re one of the lucky few with celiac disease and you dare to approach gluten like a moth to a flame, your immune system might just decide to attack your intestinal wall! Talk about a betrayal! “Trust me,” says the gluten, while your body’s like, “You’re dead to me!”
Testing, One Two Three!
Now here’s where it gets really interesting. Research shows that celiac disease is detected seven times more often in Kennemerland than in the rest of the Netherlands—thank you very much! It seems that moving to this region is akin to stumbling into a buffet of medical wisdom. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to feast on the knowledge buffet?
Dr. Meijer is serving up a slice of reality pie, stating that many patients can live for up to seven years with undiagnosed symptoms. You could practically host a game show titled “Guess Your Gastrointestinal Issues!” and still not nail it. But with early testing, healthcare costs could drop faster than a gluten-filled bread roll at a celiac convention!
The Great Gluten Debate: Prevention vs. Care
One part of this delightful drama is the funding dilemma. The Dutch Celiac Association is basically shouting “Show me the money!” because testing requires financial support that’s hovering around like a sprig of parsley on an empty plate. Is it prevention? Is it care? It’s all very *who pays for lunch* when no one actually has any lunch money!
The VVD party is stepping in with a motion that promises to investigate accessible testing nationwide. Because let’s face it: nothing gets the folks moving quite like the thought of avoiding disastrous dinner party encounters with gluten-infused foods!
The Final Word
In conclusion, gluten might just be the biggest villain since that awful villain in the latest superhero blockbuster. Thanks to early testing, lives are changing, stomachs are settling, and gluten’s reign of terror is coming to a well-deserved end. Underneath that sneaky facade, gluten for some isn’t a meal—it’s a monster!
So here’s to Esmée and her gluten-free adventures and to all the families across the Kennemerland region. May they dine freely, without the fear of gut-wrenching consequences! And to the rest of the Netherlands: let’s consider this a cheeky wake-up call. Because who needs gluten-induced chaos when you could have a peaceful dinner instead?
Thanks to the proactive testing initiative at a local clinic, 8-year-old NOSEsmée and her brother have been informed that they must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet, a revelation that has significantly impacted their family’s approach to health.
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 17:11
Esmée has known about her gluten intolerance for four years, but her journey took a turn when her mother, Jeanine van Aalst-Gies, recently discovered she also has the same intolerance, along with her son. This raises a crucial question: would they have had this insight had they not resided in the Kennemerland region, where such testing is available?
For some time, toddlers experiencing various complaints have been screened at the clinic for celiac disease and gluten intolerance, a practice not widely implemented across the country. Despite this, researchers and patient advocacy groups are pushing for more widespread testing.
In response to these findings, the VVD party is advocating for a national inquiry to explore the feasibility of making gluten testing more accessible throughout the Netherlands. This motion is anticipated to receive majority support soon, as VVD MP Tielen emphasizes, “By establishing testing facilities at clinics, we can expedite the detection of gluten hypersensitivity, thereby alleviating considerable suffering among children and ensuring effective prevention strategies.”
‘The chameleon among diseases’
Caroline Meijer, a pediatrician at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), aptly describes gluten intolerance as “the chameleon among diseases,” due to its wide range of symptoms like abdominal pain, growth issues, fatigue, and even more vague ailments, which complicates diagnosis.
In individuals with celiac disease, consuming gluten triggers an immune response that damages the intestinal lining, leading to malabsorption of vital nutrients. Symptoms disappear when gluten is eliminated from their diet—specifically avoiding wheat, rye, and barley—while failure to do so can result in severe complications, including osteoporosis, fertility issues, and a heightened cancer risk.
Since Esmée adopted a gluten-free lifestyle, she has shown remarkable improvement; her growth has normalized, her previously frizzy hair is now healthy, and her stomach pains have diminished significantly. Meanwhile, her mother has been diagnosed with osteoporosis due to a delayed recognition of her condition, but she is now managing it with prescribed medication.
Discovered seven times as often
Research conducted by LUMC and Jeugdgezondheidszorg Kennemerland has substantiated what many experts suspected: a staggering number of celiac disease cases remain undiagnosed. Estimates suggest that between 1 to 2 percent of the Dutch population may be affected by the disorder, most of whom are unaware of their condition.
Through the study, a finger prick blood test was administered to toddlers facing various health complaints, revealing that nearly 2 percent tested positive for celiac disease. The findings indicate that this disease has been identified at a rate at least seven times higher in this region compared to national averages. Lucy Smit, a youth doctor at jgz Kennemerland, added, “As the research progressed, pediatricians in nearby hospitals noted an increase in consultations from children diagnosed with celiac disease.”
The initiative has not only identified children with celiac disease but has also led to the discovery of affected parents, like Esmée’s mother, as part of the screening process.
Cost-effective
The researchers have determined that this testing program has proven to be cost-effective; patients show substantial improvements in health, which subsequently reduces future healthcare costs. According to pediatrician Meijer, individuals typically endure symptoms for an average of seven years before receiving a diagnosis: “We often find that patients have undergone numerous tests—including intestinal examinations, CT scans, MRIs, and consultations with psychologists—before the actual diagnosis of celiac disease is made. Early testing could prevent extensive and unnecessary investigations.”
The potential downside of labeling individuals with mild symptoms as celiac patients is mitigated by the positive outcomes observed. “Families express relief upon receiving a diagnosis, and while adjusting to a gluten-free diet can be challenging, it significantly alleviates symptoms, allowing children to thrive in schooling environments and averting further complications,” explains Meijer. Jeanine van Aalst-Gies mirrors this sentiment: “My health issues have vanished, and we can now prevent osteoporosis for both Esmée and her brother.”
Prevention or care
Since completing the initial research at the end of 2022, clinics in Kennemerland have continued testing, recognizing its importance in improving health outcomes. “We’ve witnessed firsthand the benefits of diagnosis; for example, parents have discovered their child is far more energetic and happier once gluten was eliminated from their diet,” remarks pediatrician Smit. However, to sustain long-term testing efforts in this region, consistent funding is essential.
The Dutch Celiac Association highlights the pressing issue of financing these tests, noting that health insurers typically do not cover youth health care costs. However, the nature of the investigation falls outside the preventative funding category. Hence, despite the anticipated long-term healthcare savings, upfront investments are required.
The patient association is hopeful that the House will endorse the motion tomorrow, paving the way for a broader implementation of ‘gluten screening’ initiatives across the nation.
Tions, ultimately saving time, money, and a great deal of frustration for families.”
The findings and advocacy efforts in Kennemerland highlight not just the significance of awareness surrounding gluten intolerance and celiac disease but also the impact that prompt and widespread testing can have on overall public health. With the support of local healthcare professionals and policy makers, the hope is that more families across the Netherlands will receive the information they need to lead healthier, gluten-free lives.
In a nutshell, the stories of Esmée and her family reflect a growing understanding of gluten-related disorders and the need for proactive measures and preventive healthcare. The journey from diagnosis to dietary adjustment may be a challenge, but with the right support, families can thrive—minus the gluten-induced chaos that once plagued their dinner tables!
