Infants at lower risk from digestive disease if introduced to cereal early
Infants may have lower risk for the disease of the intestine called
celiac disease if they are introduced to cereals at the age of 4 to 6
months.

Researchers from University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences
Center had reported that celiac disease, also called gluten-sensitive
enteropathy, might have less chances of happening to children who are
genetically more susceptible to this disease who are exposed to gluten
containing food like cereals at the age of 4 months onwards than the
children who are introduced to cereals at any other than during 4-6 months.

Gluten-sensitive enteropathy is a disease that happens due to
inflammation of the small intestine and can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea,
less absorption of food and nutrient deficiencies. Celiac disease happens
when the body's immune system attacks the small intestine by mistake. The
disease is associated with a genetic condition, the same gene that increases
the risk of diabetes for the children. However, it is also a known fact that
only few of the people susceptible to the celiac disease actually develop
the disease.

The research shows that the risk of the disease increases by almost
five times in children who are introduced to the cereals at an age earlier
than 4 months.

Reference: University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences
Center, news release