Endomysium antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease in short-statured children with no gastrointestinal symptoms

BACKGROUND: Endomysium antibodies (EmAb) are strongly associated with untreated celiac disease and are suggested to be diagnostic. The aim of the present study was to assess the value of anti-EmAb for celiac disease screening in children with short stature. METHODS: In 84 children with height less than the third percentile for age, preliminary work-ups were made to find a cause for their short stature and then their serum was assayed for anti-EmAb by indirect immunofluorescence tests using monkey esophagus. RESULTS: Seven children were strongly positive for EmAb and all had positive histologic findings for celiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that there is an association with occult celiac disease and idiopathic short stature and that the serum anti-EmAb test is useful in identifying such cases.