Growth stopped

[Gabriellas mom]

my ten year old daughter has not been growing last two years. Only grew one inch. I have been telling her doctors. Even brought her to endocrinologist at chkd to check growth. They thought nothing wrong cause no other symptoms. She had blood work  finally and they suspect  celiac. Her numbers were so high above normal for Celiac. Her appt is Monday with specialist to check Celiac.  I know that can stunt growth. However her blood work shows a growth deficiency as well. Is it showing because she hasn’t grown or will she also need to be seen  for that?  Do children usually catch up their growth after doing gluten free? I have so much anxiety with this because she looks so much smaller than her friends. Both her  parents are tall. Has anyone else experienced this at diagnosis. ?? Help please. 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Gabriellas mom!

Although you don't use these terms, it sounds like celiac antibody blood tests were done and were strongly positive. That is normally the first stage of celiac diagnosis. The second stage is an endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to check for damage to that membrane. This is done to confirm the positive results from the blood antibody tests. The specialist who will check for celiac disease you mention may want to do this procedure, though, he may also be reluctant to do it because of her young age.

One of the classic symptoms of celiac disease is stunted growth. Damage to the villous lining of the small bowel caused by celiac disease reduces the efficiency of nutrient absorption. This is the segment of the intestinal tract where essentially all of the nutrition in our food is absorbed. Yes, celiac children can catch up in their growth once they go on a gluten free diet but how much would be impossible to say. Don't start a gluten free diet, however, until you know if the specialist wants to do an endoscopy/biopsy. Don't start a gluten free diet until that procedure is complete if, in fact, the specialist decides to do that.

Edited June 30, 2024 by trents

[RMJ]

I’m not sure what you mean by “blood work shows a growth deficiency.”  I hope you get some answers at the Monday appointment.

[Gabriellas mom]

  On 6/30/2024 at 4:08 AM, Gabriellas mom said:

my ten year old daughter has not been growing last two years. Only grew one inch. I have been telling her doctors. Even brought her to endocrinologist at chkd to check growth. They thought nothing wrong cause no other symptoms. She had blood work  finally and they suspect  celiac. Her numbers were so high above normal for Celiac. Her appt is Monday with specialist to check Celiac.  I know that can stunt growth. However her blood work shows a growth deficiency as well. Is it showing because she hasn’t grown or will she also need to be seen  for that?  Do children usually catch up their growth after doing gluten free? I have so much anxiety with this because she looks so much smaller than her friends. Both her  parents are tall. Has anyone else experienced this at diagnosis. ?? Help please. 

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[trents]

@Gabriellas mom, can you post the names and results of the specific tests you are referring to? There are blood antibody tests that are specific for celiac disease detection such as the TTG-IGA. Can you post them with results and with reference ranges for negative vs. positive. 

And then you mention that your daughter's bloodwork "shows a growth deficiency as well." What test or tests show that? Was an HGH (Human Gowth Hormone) test done?

[HeidiParthena]

My son, now 24, went undiagnosed until 2.5 yo. He did not gain weight for a year (this is a lot for a little baby). His height prediction was 5'7" yet he is almost 6' now. His pediatrician did tell us that growth stunting typically makes up for itself in puberty (and it did for him). That said, he was a different age than your daughter and I would think if she has gotten her period she may not make it up. But I am NOT a doctor! Just going by what our pediatrician said.  Best wishes to you and your daughter! 

[Gabriellas mom]

  On 6/30/2024 at 4:08 AM, Gabriellas mom said:

my ten year old daughter has not been growing last two years. Only grew one inch. I have been telling her doctors. Even brought her to endocrinologist at chkd to check growth. They thought nothing wrong cause no other symptoms. She had blood work  finally and they suspect  celiac. Her numbers were so high above normal for Celiac. Her appt is Monday with specialist to check Celiac.  I know that can stunt growth. However her blood work shows a growth deficiency as well. Is it showing because she hasn’t grown or will she also need to be seen  for that?  Do children usually catch up their growth after doing gluten free? I have so much anxiety with this because she looks so much smaller than her friends. Both her  parents are tall. Has anyone else experienced this at diagnosis. ?? Help please. 

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Thank  you alll for the comments. Doctor appt said what I assumed they would. Endoscopy to have diagnosis. However her numbers were high for celiac so prediction is yes she has it. For her growth have to see endocrinologist. 

[trents]

Keep us posted.

[Wheatwacked]

Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of vitamins and minerals.  Most have low vitamin D.

Ask your doctor to test her for vitamin D.

A 2021 study found that 15.8% of 1,058 schoolchildren showed signs of iodine deficiency, with girls aged 10–12 being more likely to be deficient. 

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Adolescent Iodine Deficiency can cause:

• Delayed physical development
• Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Increased susceptibility to nuclear radiation

     Though perhaps often more associated with cognition through its implication in the development of the brain, iodine is also a critical micronutrient for somatic growth. It exerts its effects via thyroid hormone (TH), being an integral and essential component. TH regulates vital processes in the body from the agglomeration of fetal cells after conception [1] through to the maintenance of cellular energy and metabolism in adulthood [1], and the role of iodine in skeletal formation and development via thyroid hormone is known.  However, inadequate iodine intakes may result in low serum TH concentrations... An adequate dietary iodine intake is critical to maintain and promote normal growth and development, especially during vulnerable life stages such as pregnancy and early infancy. The role of iodine in cognitive development is supported by numerous interventional and observational studies, and when iodine intake is too low, somatic growth is also impaired. Optimizing Growth: The Case for Iodine

 

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• RDA established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is 90 μg for children 1–8 years old, 120 μg for children 9–13 years old,
• Individual iodine status is most accurately estimated by the level excreted in the urine over a 24 h period
• 1997–2015, the incidence of clinically diagnosed iodine deficiency substantially increased in males but overall was more common in females
• thyroid hormone concentrations are not recommended for use as indicators of iodine status, as T3 and T4 levels in iodine-deficient populations often remain in the normal range 
• in older children and adults with iodine deficiency, TSH values do not differ from those with adequate iodine intake
• Recently it was reported that 23% of a sample of pregnant women in Michigan had inadequate intake of iodine
• Iodine and Iodine Deficiency: A Comprehensive Review of a Re-Emerging Issue