Frequency of Celiac Disease in Short Stature Children in North-West of Iran

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: Short stature is one of the most common problems in pediatric endocrine medicin. Meanwhile, celiac disease is one of the well-known causes for short stature. Since bread is rich in Gliadin protein and it is one of the most common foods in our society, we designed this study to evaluate the frequency of celiac disease in idiopathic short stature children without gastrointestinal symptoms in north - west of Iran. Material and Methods: In this descriptive analytic study we studied 200 children younger than 12 years old with short stature and without gastrointestinal symptoms were studied. Total serum IgA, IgA and IgG anti-tissuetransglutaminase (TTG) antibodies, IgA and IgG anti-endomysial (EMA) antibodies were measured. Cases with the serum level of the antibodies more than 20 IU/ml underwent, intestinal biopsy was performed to confirm the celiac disease existence. Results: A total of 200 children (93 boys and 107 girls) were studied. Anti EMA in 2 cases (1%), anti TTG in 6 cases (3%) and both antibody was positive in 8 cases (%4). Characteristic histological changes were compatible with celiac disease in 5 cases (2.5 %). There was no significant difference in comparison of chronological age, bone age, height z-score, and weight, height growth velocity between children with and without celiac disease. Conclusion: 2.5% of short stature children had celiac disease which was significantly higher than normal population. So it is important to evaluate the celiac disease in short stature children with no gastrointestinal symptoms.

Keywords: Celiac disease, Children, Short Stature