Celiac sprue (or gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is a chronic disorder of the gastro-intestinal tract, which interferes with the digestion and absorption of food nutrients. Patients have an allergy to a protein called gluten (found in wheat, rye, barley, etc) which results in an immune reaction affecting the lining of the intestines causing diarrhoea, malabsorption, flatulence etc. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the findings on small intestinal biopsy plus the presence of IgA & IgG antigliadin antibodies and IgA antibody to endomysium. Treatment is avoidance of food items containing flour and corticosteroids.