[Short stature as major clinical sign of coeliac disease in children].

Coeliac disease was found in 16 patients. 3-15 years of age, examined for short stature of unknown origin. Frequency of some clinical and laboratory findings was analysed. The anamnestical data on diarrhoea and/or abundant stools feces before and during treatment were found in 11 patients (68.7%) abdominal pains in 4 subjects (25%) and anaemia resistent to iron in 5 individuals (31.2%). The clinical examination revealed, in addition to low height, a large abdomen in 11 cases (68.7%), pale skin in 10 patients (62.7%) and loss of subcutaneous fat tissue in 7 subjects (43.8%). Retardation of osseous maturation of more than 25% of chronologic age was found in 14 children (87.5%). The low erythrocyte and haemoglobin concentrations were found in 68.7% of cases, and iron in the serum in 63.3% of children. The pathologic D-xylose test was found in 7 children. The insufficient response of the growth hormone in the serum during insulin testing had its maximal value below 15 mlJ/l in 6 of 15 children (37.5%). On the basis of these results it can be concluded that in children with short stature the finding of one or several of the above mentioned symptoms and signs, or laboratory disturbances, should be taken into account regarding coeliac disease. However, in these patients the partial lack of the growth hormone should also be taken into account.