[The effect of 6-month provocation with gluten on the height and weight of children with celiac disease].

Gluten challenge was performed in 22 coeliac children in the period of histological remission. Gluten in dose 0.5 g/kg was administered for 6 months. Before the Provocation Test over 60% of children have had body weight over 50 c for normal children in Warsaw. Standardized mean body weight (+ 0.13 +/- 1.1) and height (+ 0.04 +/- 1.05) of the investigated coeliac children did not differ significantly from the values of normal Warsaw population (p greater than 0.005). A 6 month provocation with gluten leading to the histological relapse did not affect body weight and height of tested children; over 50% have had body weight and height over 50 c. Mean standardized body weight (- 0.002 +/- 1.0) and height height (-0.07 +/- 0.91) did not differ significantly from the normal values (p greater than 0.05) and corresponding values before the provocation (p greater than 0.05). It seems that Provocation Test with gluten carried out in the above way does not inhibit physical development of children with coeliac disease.