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Daily methylphenidate use slows the growth of children: a community based study
Megan C Lisska1, Scott A Rivkees
1Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Insights
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may impact child growth. This study found that children treated with methylphenidate showed reduced height compared to their siblings, suggesting potential growth suppression.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a widely prescribed stimulant for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- The drug's effect on childhood growth remains a subject of ongoing debate and research.
- Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding methylphenidate's impact on growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of methylphenidate on the growth of children diagnosed with ADHD.
- To assess growth patterns in children receiving methylphenidate as prescribed in community pediatric settings.
- To determine if methylphenidate dosage correlates with observed effects on growth.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 84 patients with ADHD treated with methylphenidate was studied across two pediatric practices.
- Height standard deviation (SD) scores of treated children were compared to those of their untreated biological siblings.
- Methylphenidate dosage and its relationship with changes in growth parameters were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in mean height SD scores were observed between methylphenidate-treated children and sibling controls after two years.
- Growth-suppressive effects were noted across a wide range of methylphenidate dosages, from 10 to 80 mg per day.
- The findings indicate a potential for methylphenidate to influence height in children with ADHD.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests that the prevalence of growth-suppressive effects associated with methylphenidate may be higher than previously recognized.
- Methylphenidate treatment for ADHD could lead to measurable impacts on growth trajectories in children.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the long-term implications of methylphenidate on pediatric growth and development.
Objective:
The use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) for treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased dramatically over the last decade. However, the influence of methylphenidate on growth remains controversial. Our goals were to assess whether methylphenidate, as prescribed in the community setting, influences growth.
Design:
We examined the growth of 84 patients with ADHD treated with methylphenidate in two large pediatric practices. Height standard deviation (SD) scores of treated children were compared with those of untreated biological siblings. We also analyzed the doses of methylphenidate in relation to changes in growth.
Results:
We found significant differences in mean height SD scores between treated children and sibling controls after 2 years of treatment. Effects on growth were observed over the broad range of doses used (10-80 mg per day).
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that the prevalence of grow-suppressive effects of methylphenidate is greater than previously suspected.