2025 Single Topic Symposium: Clearing the Crumbs: Expert Insights into Celiac Disease

Wednesday, November 5, 2025
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL

Course Director:
Temara M. Hajjat, MBBS, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

7:00 AM - 7:45 AM Morning Sessions/Breakfast
1. Supporting Clinical Trials in Your Institution
Vahe Badalyan, MD, MPH, MBA, Children's National Hospital
Jocelyn Silvester, MD, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital

2. The Celiac Disease Toolbox: Practical Resources for your Patients
Terry Sigman, MD, FRCPC, Montreal Childrens Hospital
Maureen Leonard, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

3. Starting a Celiac Center and Having a Business Plan
Ankur Chugh, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin
Catharine Walsh, MD, MEd, PhD, FRCPC, Hospital for Sick Children

4. Engaging with your Celiac Community
Lisa Fahey, MD, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Debra Silberg, MD, PhD, Beyond Celiac

7:45 AM - 8:00 AM Break

8:00 AM - 8:10 AM Welcome and Overview
Temara M. Hajjat, MBBS, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

8:10 AM - 9:20 AM Module 1: Celiac Disease in the 21st Century: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Advances in Screening
Moderator: Vahe Badalyan, MD, MPH, MBA, Children's National Hospital and Hilary Jericho, MD, Stanford University

8:10 AM Addressing the Global Burden of Celiac Disease: Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, and Screening Disparities
               Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
               Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Define the growing epidemiology of celiac disease
• Define the impact of modern manifestations of celiac disease on it’s prevalence in the 21st century
• Identify disparities in screening and how they impact different populations globally

8:30 AM Exploring Autoimmunity, Genetics, and Early-Life Triggers in Celiac Disease
               Maureen Leonard, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
               Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Interpret the concept of autoimmunity and the role of “leaky gut” in celiac disease
• Identify genetic factors related to celiac disease and recommend appropriate genetic testing
• Evaluate the impact of environmental triggers and the early introduction of gluten in infants

8:50 AM Navigating the Complexities of Pediatric Screening in Celiac Disease: Age-Based, Family and Mass Screening
               Marisa Gallant Stahl, MD, MSCS, Children's Hospital Colorado
               Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Distinguish age-based screening strategies for celiac disease; for children under 3 years old versus those over 3 years old
• Apply screening approaches for family members of individuals with Celiac Disease
• Define the benefits and challenges of mass screening for celiac disease and screening for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in celiac disease

9:10: AM Discussion/Q&A

9:30 AM - 10:50 AM Module 2: The Art and Science of Diagnosing Celiac Disease
Moderators: Kimberly Paige Newton, MD, Rady Children's Hospital and Terry Sigman, MD, FRCPC, Montreal Childrens Hospital

9:30 AM A Confident Diagnosis: From Gluten Challenge to Biopsy Strategy
                 Arunjot Singh, MD, MPH, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
                 Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify how to implement a gluten challenge prior to screening tests and biopsies when diagnosing celiac disease
• Define the recommended number of biopsies and jars needed when scoping to diagnose celiac disease
• Identify histopathological challenges in the diagnosis and management of celiac disease

9:50 AM The Biopsy Debate: Should Celiac Disease Be Diagnosed by ESPGHAN Criteria or Biopsy?
                 Edwin Liu, MD, Children's Hospital Colorado Vs
                 Dominica Gidrewicz, MD, University of Calgary/Alberta Children's Hospital
                 Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Distinguish the pros and cons of diagnosing patient with celiac disease using the ESPGHAN criteria versus a biopsy diagnosis
• Critically evaluate the debate between celiac disease diagnosis using ESPGHAN criteria versus biopsy diagnosis

10:20 AM Clinical Delimmas: When Biopsies, Serologies, and Symptoms Clash
                  Tracy Ediger, MD, PhD, Nationwide Children's Hospital
                  Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Apply the steps to take when a patient has positive serologies but negative biopsies
• Define the steps in managing persistent symptoms in patients despite improving serological levels on a gluten free diet and in cases of Refractory celiac disease
• Evaluate the approach for managing persistent symptoms with negative serologies and in cases of Refractory celiac disease

10:40 AM Discussion/Q&A

10:50 AM - 11:00 AM Break

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Module 3: A New Era in Celiac Disease Research: Microbiome Interactions, Inflammatory Pathways, and Drug Discovery
Moderators:  Vahe Badalyan, MD, MPH, MBA, Children's National Hospital and Maureen Leonard, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

11:00 AM Microbiome and Dietary Influences in Celiac Disease: New Perspectives on Pathogenesis
                Alberto Caminero, MD, PhD, McMaster University
                  Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify the biogeographic variations of the gut microbiota in celiac disease
• Define key techniques and procedures used in laboratory work related to celiac disease research

11:25 AM Beyond the Surface: Exploring the Interplay of Gluten, Genetics, and IL-15 in Celiac Disease

                  Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Interpret the role of IL-15, HLA-DQ8 complex interaction between gluten and genetics, and IL-15-driven tissue inflammation in celiac disease
• Summarize T-cell behavior and immune system dysregulation in celiac patients, including potential therapy targets
• Explore the interplay of gluten, genetics, and IL-15 in celiac disease, and discuss how laboratory research contributes to understanding these factors in disease development

11:50 AM Keynote: Drug Discoveries in Celiac Disease
                  Joseph A Murray, MD, Mayo Clinic
                  Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify new and upcoming drugs in celiac disease management
• Explain the role and potential impact of Gliden X in celiac disease treatment
• Demonstrate laboratory techniques and research methods relevant to drug discovery in celiac disease

12:15 PM Discussion/Q&A

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM Lunch

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM Interactive Learning Lunch Sessions - Registration required
1. Reading the Labels Like a Celiac Detective: Cross contamination and hidden gluten
   Jaclyn M. Quinlan, MPH, RD, LDN, Boston Children's Hospital
   Lisa Fahey, MD, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
   Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify various  cross-contaminations in a gluten-free diet and teach it to their patients
• Identify hidden sources of gluten, such as yeast, medications, playdough, etc. and teach them to patients

2. Helping Your Patient Navigating a Gluten-Free Life with Confidence
   Vanessa Weisbrod, BA, CA, Celiac Disease Foundation
   Shayna Coburn, PhD, Children's National Hospital
   Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify the impact of food insecurity on individuals with celiac disease and have handouts on resources available
• Utilizes the stratagies and handouts available for patients on navigating school and college life with celiac disease
• Identify various medical reimbursement options for celiac disease

3. Case-Based Discussions of Complex Cases in Celiac Disease
   Hilary Jericho, MD, Stanford University
   Herbert Brill, MD, McMaster Children's Hospital
   Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify and treat nonceliac gluten sensitivity versus celiac disease
• Apply management of celiac crisis and acute severe symptoms post-gluten ingestion

4. Screening for Autoimmune Conditions in Celiac Disease
   Kimberly Paige Newton, MD, Rady Children's Hospital
   Edwin Liu, MD, Children's Hospital Colorado
   Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify how and when to screen for autoimmune diseases commonly associated with celiac disease (CeD) and how to manage them

1:30 PM - 2:40 PM Module 4: Comprehensive Management After Diagnosis: Addressing Nutrition, Follow-up, and Psychological Health
Moderators:  Joseph A Murray, MD, Mayo Clinic and Ritu Verma, MD, University of Chicago

1:30 PM OWNing the diet: Oats, Wheat, Starch, and the Consequences of a Gluten-Free Diet
               Jaclyn M. Quinlan, MPH, RD, LDN, Boston Children's Hospital
               Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify gluten-free labeling standards set by the FDA and the thresholds for cross-contamination in those foods
• Evaluate the role of adding versus eliminating oats in a gluten-free diet
• Identify the long-term side effects of a gluten-free diet, including micronutrient deficiencies and the risk of metabolic syndrome
• Identify the disparities and social challenges associated with following a gluten-free diet

1:50 PM A Precision Follow-Up: Best Practices for Follow-Up and Surveillance in Celiac Disease
               Dale Lee, MD, Seattle Childrens Hospital
               Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Identify the recommended follow-up clinic visits and needed follow up labs for celiac disease patients
• Determine how to follow-up celiac disease patients that were seronegative at diagnosis
• Identify the role and necessity of follow-up endoscopies in celiac disease management
• Explain the role of gluten peptides in celiac disease and their impact on treatment

2:10 PM Psychological Challenges in Celiac Disease
               Shayna Coburn, PhD, Children's National Hospital
               Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Describe the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns specific to celiac disease
• Identify challenges related to hypervigilance, disordered eating, and adherence in individuals with celiac disease
• Interpret the studies on behavioral interventions for individuals with celiac disease and implement them

2:30 PM Discussion./Q&A

2:40 PM - 2:50 PM Break

2:50 PM - 4:20 PM Module 5: Shaping the Future of Celiac Disease Care: Clinical Trials, Patient Metrics, and AI
Moderators: Ankur Chugh, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin

2:50 PM Meaningful metrics: Patient outcomes in clinical trial in celiac disease
              Catharine Walsh, MD, MEd, PhD, FRCPC, Hospital for Sick Children
              Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Discuss quality of life measures in individuals with celiac disease
• Analyze predictive measures of gluten-free diet adherence and complications related to celiac disease
• Identify the side effects of nonadherence to a gluten-free diet in celiac disease

3:10 PM Insights from Ongoing Clinical and Diet Trials
              Jocelyn Silvester, MD, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital
              Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Assess the impact and outcomes of clinical trials related to celiac disease
• Analyze the potential role of vaccines in celiac disease prevention and treatment
• Discuss the use of enzymes in managing celiac disease symptoms

3:30 PM Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Advancements in Celiac Disease Research and Clinical Practice
              Imad Absah, MD, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
              Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Explain the role and applications of capsule endoscopy in diagnosing and monitoring celiac disease
• Evaluate the use of electronic medical records (EMR) in managing celiac disease patient data
• Explore the potential of AI-generated programs in the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease

3:50 PM Clinical Abstract Award
4:00 PM Basic Science Abstract Award
4:10 PM Discussion/Q&A

4:20 PM - 4:30 PM Break

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Module 6: The Future of Celiac Disease and Closing Session
Moderators: Daniel Mallon, MD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Temara M. Hajjat, MBBS, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

4:30 PM Over the Horizon: The Future of Celiac Disease
                  Ritu Verma, MD, University of Chicago
                  Learning Objectives – By the end of this talk, learners will be able to:

• Summarize key advancements and research in celiac disease to date
• Forecast future developments in celiac disease diagnosis and treatment
• Identify ways the GI community can contribute to advancing celiac disease research and care

4:30 PM Closing remarks
                 Temara M. Hajjat, MBBS, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Poster Session/Reception

This program is supported in part through educational grants from: