Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Idiopathic Short Stature Children Presenting in OPD of Children Hospital, Faisalabad

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of celiac disease in short statured children. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Settings: OPD of Children Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: Six months from March 10, 2016 to August 9, 2016. Methodology: A total of 300 children with 174 female, 126 males were studied, who came in OPD in Children Hospital Faisalabad for the evaluation of their short stature, excluding familial short stature and other causes of short stature (endocrinal, renal & other chronic illnesses). IgA, TTG & IgG antibodies were evaluated. These antibodies were measured by ELISA method and patients whose TTG antibodies were 10 times greater than normal were spared form duodenal biopsy, however patients having antibodies less than 10 times but greater than normal or having equivocal results were under gone for intestinal biopsy for confirmation of celiac disease. Results: We detected out of 300 patients 88 patients were having TTG titer > 10% of the normal value. 29 patients were having increase titer but less than 10 time of the normal value and 7 patients were found to have equivocal results. So, 36 patients were sent for biopsy out of them 32 were found positive for celiac disease. Hence, we detected 40% (n=120) children were having celiac disease. All 78 females, 42 males having celiac disease were at 2SD except 4 patients who were at 3SD. Conclusion: We conclude that prevalence of celiac disease is high in patients with idiopathic short stature and it is important to investigate all children with ISS for celiac disease by measuring TTG antibodies.