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This new research from Italy may be of interest to people with CD children who appear not to be growing as expected despite having been on a GF diet and showing negative blood tests. 

It suggests that an underlying growth hormone deficiency (GHD) exists in a minority of coeliac children.

Growth hormone deficiency and coeliac disease: an unusual association? 

Authors: Mauro Bozzola1; Diletta Giovenale1; Elena Bozzola1; Cristina Meazza1; Miryam Martinetti2; Carmine Tinelli3; Gino Roberto Corazza4 

Source: Clinical Endocrinology, March 2005, vol. 62, no. 3, pp. 372-375(4) 

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cend/2005/00000062/00000003/art00017

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the occurrence of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in patients with coeliac disease (CD). Study Design 

A total of 1066 children diagnosed elsewhere with short stature were referred to our centre for second-line evaluation in a 6-year period. All patients were screened for CD by antiendomysial antibodies (EMA) and those with positive sera underwent intestinal biopsy. Results 

Among the 1066 short children, 210 (19·7%) had GHD and 12 (1·12%; chronological age from 3·6 to 12·3 years, bone age from 1·5 to 10·5 years, SDS height from -3·05 to -0·48), having positive EMA, showed histologically confirmed CD. Nine of these latter 12 CD children had a beneficial effect on growth rate after the first year of gluten-free diet, while the remaining three showed no catch-up growth. A careful endocrinological investigation in these three CD boys showed an isolated GHD in two cases and a multiple GHD in one case. The congenital origin of GHD is supported by the congenital abnormalities documented by magnetic resonance imaging. GH therapy associated with gluten-free diet led to an increased growth rate. Conclusion 

GH secretion should be evaluated in coeliac patients showing no catch-up growth after a period on a gluten-free diet in spite of reversion to seronegativity for EMA. In the case of GHD and CD, replacement GH therapy should be started during a gluten-free diet. 

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