There is little evidence that shows that eliminating gluten is effective for treating rheumatic conditions in children. Gluten is protein naturally found in the grains including wheat, barley, rye and triticale. It is also found in many packaged, preserved foods as a filler. More research is needed to better understand if gluten has any role in rheumatic conditions.

There are also nutrition considerations with a gluten free diet. Gluten-free foods, compared to gluten containing equivalents, are often higher in calories, sugar and fats, but lower in fiber. So a gluten-free diet full of gluten-free packaged products is not necessarily healthy. The gluten-free diet can also affect your ability to meet nutrient needs for growth and development. Speak to your healthcare team for more information about gluten and your child’s health.