CCehae diease is relatirely rare in the United States and many of the facts of this complex disorder are not completely understood. In the glutensensitire indiridual, celiae disease is actirated by ingestion of cereal glutens. An abnormal system response to dietary gluten causes damage to the small bourel mucosa, which results in untrient malabsorption. When gluten is removed from the dial, malabsorption resolres. Nursing interrention in celiac disease requres careful nutritional assessment and dietary instruction.