Endomysium antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease in short-statured children with no gastrointestinal symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Endomysium antibodies (EmAb) are strongly associated with untreated celiac disease and are suggested to be diagnostic. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of anti-EmAb for celiac disease screening in children with short stature.


METHODS
In 84 children with height less than the third percentile for age, preliminary work-ups were made to find a cause for their short stature and then their serum was assayed for anti-EmAb by indirect immunofluorescence tests using monkey esophagus.


RESULTS
Seven children were strongly positive for EmAb and all had positive histologic findings for celiac disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that there is an association with occult celiac disease and idiopathic short stature and that the serum anti-EmAb test is useful in identifying such cases.
Tümer
L
L
Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. tumer@marketweb.net.tr
Hasanoglu
A
A
Aybay
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001706:Biopsy; D001827:Body Height; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies