Highly sensitive and specific serological tests have led to the diagnosis of celiac disease in patients for whom short stature may be the only obvious symptom. After eliminating endocrine disorders as cause, researchers in India recently found that 27 of 176 (15%) children referred for short stature had celiac disease. Celiac disease can lead to short stature through a number of mechanisms, such as malabsorption of nutrients, resistance to growth hormones, autoimmune hypothydroidism, and hypogonadism. The researchers recommend that all short children be screened for celiac disease.

Clinical Endocrinology, March 2005, vol. 62, no. 3, pp. 372-375(4) Celiac.com 04/29/2005 –