Could a gluten-free diet in kids do more harm than good?

(cbsnews.com)

- Placing children on a gluten-free diet without consulting a physician could be damaging to their health, medical experts warn.

Gluten-free diets are critical for people living with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which ingesting gluten -- a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye -- leads to damage in the small intestine. There is no treatment available for the disease and currently the only therapy is adhering to a gluten-free diet.

An estimated 1 percent of Americans live with celiac disease. That number has been growing in recent years -- likely because of increased awareness and improved detection. However, that increase does not account for the explosive growth of the gluten-free food industry. Millions of people now shun gluten even though there's no medical reason for them to do so.

A recent survey of more than 1,500 adults in the U.S. found that the most common motivations for going gluten-free were "no reason" and the belief that it's somehow a "healthier option."

Now, some health care providers raising concerns about the growing trend. A new commentary published in The Journal of Pediatrics specifically addresses the potential risk for children whose parents place them on a gluten-free diet without consulting a doctor, warning that it could do more harm than good.