Which of the following is NOT a common symptom of celiac disease in childhood?

• A. Precocious puberty
• B. Diarrhea
• C. Anemia
• D. Short stature

Answer: (A)

In childhood celiac disease, malabsorption from gluten-triggered intestinal damage leads to features like diarrhea, iron-deficiency anemia, and poor growth resulting in short stature. The damaged proximal small intestine reduces nutrient absorption, causing chronic diarrhea and nutritional deficiencies that blunt growth and development. Precocious puberty, on the other hand, isn’t driven by this malabsorption pattern; malnutrition more commonly delays puberty rather than accelerates it. So the symptom that doesn’t fit the usual celiac presentation in kids is precocious puberty.