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Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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Cardiovascular events and death in children exposed and unexposed to ADHD agents

Hedi Schelleman1, Warren B Bilker, Brian L Strom

  • 1Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6021, USA. hennessy@upenn.edu

Pediatrics
|May 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children using attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications had a low rate of severe cardiovascular events and death, similar to nonusers. The study found no significant differences in major adverse cardiac events between the groups.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Background:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications are widely prescribed for children.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential cardiovascular risks associated with these stimulant and non-stimulant medications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the incidence of severe cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in children treated with ADHD medications versus those who are not.
  • To assess the safety profile of common ADHD pharmacotherapies in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A large cohort study utilized data from two administrative databases.
  • Children aged 3-17 years with prescriptions for amphetamines, atomoxetine, or methylphenidate were identified and matched with nonusers.
  • Cardiovascular events were validated via medical records; proportional hazards regression analyzed risks.

Main Results:

  • In the primary cohort (241,417 incident users), no statistically significant differences were found in rates of sudden death/ventricular arrhythmia or all-cause death compared to nonusers.
  • No validated strokes or myocardial infarctions were identified in ADHD medication users during the study period.
  • A secondary analysis of prevalent users also showed no significant differences in cardiovascular event rates or mortality.

Conclusions:

  • The incidence of severe cardiovascular events among children using ADHD medications is very low.
  • The study did not find a significantly higher rate of cardiovascular events or death in children using ADHD medications compared to unexposed children.
  • Due to the low event counts, the ability to detect small relative increases in risk is limited.
Abstract

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