Insulin-like growth factor-I in celiac disease.

To contribute to the description of the physiopathological mechanisms of celiac disease, changes in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were followed-up in 21 children suspected of suffering from celiac disease. Thirteen children were suffering from celiac disease according to the original criteria of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. Ten celiac children changing from a gluten-containing to a gluten-free diet presented a significant rise in IGF-I (+1.54 mM per month). In a group of eight celiac children challenged with gluten, seven had a significant decrease in IGF-I (-1.11 mM per month), and five celiac children returning to the gluten-free diet after challenge with gluten had a marked but not significant increase in IGF-I (+1.7 mM per month). Eight children not suffering from celiac disease, but challenged with gluten, had a significant increase in IGF-I (+0.29 mM per month), corresponding to the expected age-dependent increase. The significant changes in IGF-I described under the diagnostic dietetic phases of celiac disease reflect the extent of growth retardation caused by the disease. IGF-I may be a supplementary aid in the diagnosis of celiac disease in describing individual changes under the dietetic phases.