Could Certain Gut Bacteria Stunt Growth?
Short stature (SS), a prevalent paediatric endocrine condition, is defined by a height below two standard deviations or the 3rd percentile for children of the same age, sex, and ethnicity. Globally, around 144 million children under five suffer from stunted growth, according to UNICEF (2019). Despite extensive research, around 60% of SS cases are considered idiopathic, with no clear cause.
Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of gut microbiota in bone health. The “gut-bone axis” theory posits that microbial populations and their metabolites impact bone growth.
This groundbreaking study employed Mendelian randomisation (MR) to investigate causal relationships between gut microbiota, blood metabolites, and SS. The findings revealed that certain gut bacteria, including Prevotella9, Alloprevotella, and FamilyXIIIAD3011group, increase SS risk. These results align with observations that children with idiopathic SS exhibit elevated Prevotella levels, which decline following growth hormone treatment.
Conversely, Parasutterella, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and Roseburia were found to protect against SS, possibly through hormonal regulation and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which promote calcium absorption and growth-related hormones like IGF-1.
Metabolomic analysis identified five metabolites causally linked to SS. Notably, 4-hydroxyhippurate, derived from dietary flavonoids, emerged as a protective agent and a mediator in the gut-bone axis. Caffeine showed a complex relationship – genetically linked to reduced SS risk, yet prior studies caution its effects on growth.
While this study provides the first MR-based evidence of gut microbiota’s causal role in SS, limitations include a focus on European populations and genus-level data. Further research at the species level and in diverse populations is essential. Nonetheless, these findings offer promising insights into gut-driven interventions for managing short stature in children.
Reference
Zheng Z et al. Causal relationship between gut microbiota, metabolites, and short stature: a Mendelian randomization study. Pediatr Res. 2025;DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-03985-3.
