This interesting paper published in the journal Acta Pædiatrica discusses the link between disruption of the tight junction barrier of the intestinal lining (leaky gut) and the systemic inflammatory response that is fundamental to type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, asthma and autism in children. Because of the massive presence of immune system tissue in the gut, intestinal barrier integrity is a critical element in the functional medicine approach to these pediatric conditions. We can evaluate allergy, food sensitivity, chronic infection and other factors  with the appropriate laboratory tests and procedures.