Short Stature
Thirty-four patients aged 2
to 17 years with short stature of undetermined cause and no gastrointestinal symptoms underwent jejunal biopsy for exclusion of coeliac disease. Eight patients had subtotal or severe partial villous atrophy; seven of these showed a significant acceleration in growth velocity after the introduction of a gluten-free diet. The authors conclude that short stature by itself, in the complete absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, is an indication for jejunal biopsy, particularly if bone age is delayed by more than four years and/or there are associated hematologic abnormalities.
Comment: In this study 21% of children with short stature, in whom dysmorphic or primary endocrinopathy had been ruled out, proved to have coeliac disease.
