One in 100 children may have coeliac disease, but fewer than one in 2,500 receive treatment.
The protein gluten, found in wheat and some other cereals, damages the gut lining of people affected.
Dr Polly Bingley, lead author of research funded by Coeliac UK, said it was important to be aware of coeliac disease as a possible diagnosis even in the absence of the typical symptoms of diarrhoea and weight loss.
It is not known whether children who are undiagnosed suffer long-term damage, but the question of screening is under debate. Dr Bingley said: "If it comes down on the side of screening, then it seems that starting in childhood would be an appropriate thing."
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