Long-term effects of methylphenidate transdermal delivery system treatment of ADHD on growth
Stephen V Faraone1, Eldred E Giefer2
1Dr. Faraone is with the Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse; and Mr. Giefer is with Lineberry Research Associates, Research Triangle Park, NC..
Insights
Methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children showed small growth delays in height, weight, and BMI. These effects lessened over time and were not a major clinical concern for most patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Stimulant medications, including methylphenidate, are primary treatments for ADHD.
- The methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) offers an alternative delivery method for methylphenidate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term impact of the methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) on the physical growth of children diagnosed with ADHD.
- To assess changes in height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) over an extended treatment period.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 127 children aged 6-12 years treated with MTS for up to 36 months.
- Regular measurements of height, weight, and BMI were conducted.
- Growth data were compared against Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth norms.
Main Results:
- MTS treatment was associated with statistically significant, though small, reductions in height, weight, and BMI.
- Growth deficits were more pronounced in children new to stimulant therapy and those with initially higher growth parameters.
- The most notable effects on growth occurred within the first year, with subsequent attenuation.
Conclusions:
- Methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) treatment can lead to temporary reductions in expected growth parameters (height, weight, BMI) in children with ADHD.
- While growth should be monitored, the observed deficits were generally not clinically significant for the majority of patients.
- Findings are consistent with previous research on methylphenidate's effects on growth.
Objective:
To examine the long-term effects of the methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) on the growth of children being treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Method:
Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were measured in 127 children ages 6 to 12 at longitudinal assessments for up to 36 months of treatment with MTS. These data were compared with norms provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Results:
MTS treatment was associated with small but significant delays in growth for height, weight, and BMI. The latter two indices were affected in a dose-dependent manner. Children who had not received prior stimulant therapy and children who entered the study with above-average height, weight, and BMI were most likely to experience growth deficits during the trial. Effects on all parameters of growth were most apparent during the first year of treatment, and attenuated over time.
Conclusions:
Consistent with prior studies of methylphenidate, our results suggest that treatment with MTS can lead to reductions in expected height, weight, and BMI that show some attenuation over the course of treatment. Growth of patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treated with MTS should be closely monitored, but in this study, deficits in growth in relation to MTS treatment were not a significant clinical concern for most children.
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