Factors associated with growth disturbance at celiac disease diagnosis in children: A retrospective cohort study (BMC Gastroenterology)

Background: Impaired growth is a well-known complication in celiac disease, but factors associated with it are poorly known. We investigated this issue in a large cohort of children. Methods: 530 children with biopsy-proven celiac disease were included. The participants were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence (n = 182) or absence (n = 348) of growth disturbance at diagnosis. Histological, serological and clinical characteristics were compared between children with growth failure and those with normal growth. Further, patients with growth failure as the sole clinical presentation were compared to those with poor growth and concomitant other symptoms. Results: Children with growth failure were younger (p