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Meet the Care Team
Patient Stories
After a celiac diagnosis, a family adapts and a young girl thrives
Hailey wants to be a doctor someday, and she has the pink scrubs to prove it. She loves wearing them around her house and recently informed her mom, Shauna, that she'll pay extra close attention in school so she can learn what she needs to know. Given Hailey's early health experiences, it's no surprise that the kindergartner wants to help others when she grows up.
Conditions We Treat
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A multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to celiac disease care
The Childhood Celiac Disease Program offers outpatient care in a clinical setting the first Wednesday of every month.
Our multidisciplinary team includes a pediatric gastroenterologist expert in celiac disease, a social worker and dietitian working together to ensure that your child receives the best possible care.
Michele Alkalay, M.D., the UT Southwestern physician practicing at Children's Health, has dedicated her practice to helping children with celiac disease thrive.
Dealing with a chronic condition is difficult for your child and the entire family. Our program offers counseling and support for following a complex gluten-free diet. During your clinic visits, you’ll have time to ask questions about managing and treating celiac disease, as well as plan for follow-up care and screening for at-risk conditions such as diabetes.
We can also help with 504 plans for school, access to local resources and a support group, and other tips for living with celiac disease.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease damages the small intestine and creates problems with the absorption of necessary nutrients and vitamins due to a gluten allergy. Gluten includes foods containing wheat, barley and rye.
Celiac disease is a life-long autoimmune condition that happens when your child’s body reacts to foods containing gluten. If your child has celiac disease, he or she will need to follow a strict, gluten-free diet for life.
Contact our caring pediatric GI specialist at the fully-accredited Childhood Celiac Disease program in Plano at 469-303-4200.