Short Stature and Celiac Disease in Children (5 to 16 Years) Presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar

Background: Malabsorption is the typical presentation of celiac disease in early childhood, whereas older children can present with extra-intestinal symptoms including short stature and delay in pubertal development. Objective: To determine the frequency of celiac disease in shortening of stature in children. Material and methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatric Department in Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, on 152 short stature children of both genders aged 5 to 16 years. Children with dysmorphic faces, syndromes, endocrine disorders, and children or their parents who refused to give consent were excluded. Anthropometric measurement was done on standard equipment. Height and weight were plotted on WHO centile charts. All the children fulfilling inclusion criteria were advised serologic anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies tests. Results: Overall the frequency of celiac disease was 33.77% (n=51) among the children with short stature. The mean age of the study was 6.71±1.52 years. There were 76 males (50.3%), while there were 75 females 49.7%. The frequency of celiac disease among short stature females was higher (n=28, 54.9%) than short stature males (n=23, 45.1%). However, the results were not statistically significant (P=0.358). The frequency of celiac disease stratified by age group was not statistically significant (P=0.491). Conclusion: One-third of children having short stature have celiac disease. The frequency of celiac disease in children with short stature has no association with gender and age.