CATCH-UP GROWTH IN 60 CHILDREN WITH CELIAC-DISEASE

The growth pattern of 28 girls and 32 boys with celiac disease was ana lyzed up to the ages of 10 and 12 years, respectively. Fifty-four pati ents (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%) h ad a height SD score below -2.0, and 45 of 59 patients (76%) had a wei ght-for-height below the median. The mean height SD score showed incre asing growth retardation in the year before diagnosis, relatively quic k catch-up growth in the year after diagnosis, and complete catch-up i n 2-3 years. Mean weight-for-height showed a progressive decrease 12-1 8 months before diagnosis, increased to a maximum at the end of the fi rst year of therapy, and returned to normal 15 months after dietary tr eatment. Independent of age at diagnosis, initial degree of wasting, d iagnostic delay, and strictness of gluten-free diet, catch-up growth w as complete in this group of patients who were diagnosed before 9 year s of age.