The Mother of a 19-Week-Old Infant Has Brought Her Baby

The mother of a 19-week-old infant has brought her baby in for assessment to a pediatrician because of the baby's persistent weight loss and diarrhea. An intestinal biopsy has confirmed a diagnosis of celiac disease, and the child's mother is anxious to know what caused the disease. Which of the following aspects of the etiology of celiac disease would underlie the explanation that the physician provides?

A) Bacterial or chemical invasion of the peritoneum leads to decreased nutrient absorption and transport.
B) An inappropriate T-cell-mediated response results in increased levels of antibodies and an inflammatory response.
C) Neurogenic or muscular inhibition of peristalsis results in inappropriate motility of ingested food in the lower small intestine and the colon.
D) Inability to process or absorb the fat content of breast milk results in malnutrition and deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins.