Does every short stature child need screening for celiac disease?
OBJECTIVE
To study the etiological profile of short stature at a tertiary care hospital in north India.


METHODS
In this prospective study, 176 children with short stature were enrolled from January 2005 to December 2006. Appropriate screening and definitive tests were performed to establish the etiology of short stature.


RESULTS
Celiac disease (CD) emerged as the single most common (15.3%) cause of short stature, followed by various endocrine disorders. It was interesting to note that none of the CD patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
All short children should be screened for CD irrespective of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Bhadada
Sanjay Kumar
SK
Departments of Endocrinology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India.
Bhansali
Anil
A
Kochhar
Rakesh
R
Menon
Anil Shankar
AS
Sinha
Saroj Kant
SK
Dutta
Pinaki
P
Nain
Chander Kanwal
CK
D000293:Adolescent; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D011446:Prospective Studies