Catch-up growth in 60 children with celiac disease

The growth pattern of 28 girls and 32 boys with celiac disease was analyzed up to the ages of 10 and 12 years, respectively. Fifty-four patients (90%) were diagnosed before 4 years of age and six patients (10%) between 5 and 9 years of age. At diagnosis, 18 of 60 patients (30%) had a height SD score below -2.0, and 45 of 59 patients (76%) had a weight-for-height below the median. The mean height SD score showed increasing growth retardation in the year before diagnosis, relatively quick catch-up growth in the year after diagnosis, and complete catch-up in 2-3 years. Mean weight-for-height showed a progressive decrease 12-18 months before diagnosis, increased to a maximum at the end of the first year of therapy, and returned to normal 15 months after dietary treatment. Independent of age at diagnosis, initial degree of wasting, diagnostic delay, and strictness of gluten-free diet, catch-up growth was complete in this group of patients who were diagnosed before 9 years of age.