Impact of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease on linear growth: Data from a national cohort study in Saudi Arabia.

Sir,

We thank Al-Mendalawi for his interest and comments[1] on our article entitled “Impact of IBD on linear growth.”[2] First, we agree on the comment that it would have been more accurate to use local references and we have indicated clearly the reasons for this, namely the unavailability of Z score-based growth reference for Saudi children and adolescents at the time of the analysis of the data. The implications of using growth references from other populations, such as the World Health Organization or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to assess growth and nutrition in Saudi children is well-known and published in the literature.[34] It is worth indicating that we have recently completed the analysis of national data to establish not only the percentile but also Z score-based growth reference for Saudi children and adolescents.[5] Second, we note that the colleague agrees with our recommendation on the need for prospective study on this subject. Third, it is well-known that genetic influences on growth are always possible not only in Crohn's disease but also in general.

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Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.