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Updated: May 8, 2026

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10:02

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

Published on: March 12, 2020

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drugs and growth: an Italian prospective observational study

Elena A P Germinario1, Romano Arcieri, Maurizio Bonati

  • 11 Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome, Italy .

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
|September 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can negatively impact children's growth. Atomoxetine showed a more pronounced effect on height and weight compared to methylphenidate.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Child development
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
  • Pharmacological treatments like methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) are widely used.
  • Long-term effects of these medications on growth require careful monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term impact of MPH and ATX on growth parameters in drug-naïve children with ADHD.
  • To compare the growth effects between MPH and ATX treatments.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, post-marketing, phase IV study design.
  • Collection of height and weight data at baseline and every six months for up to 24 months.
  • Analysis of growth using z-scores and Tanner's percentile.

Main Results:

  • Both MPH and ATX were associated with decreased height gain (z-scores).
  • The negative effect on height was significantly greater with ATX than MPH, particularly in the first year.
  • While weight generally increased, a subset of patients on both drugs exhibited growth below expected levels, with a greater impact from ATX.

Conclusions:

  • ADHD medications, specifically MPH and ATX, can exert a negative influence on linear growth in children over the mid-term.
  • Atomoxetine demonstrates a more significant negative effect on growth compared to methylphenidate.
Abstract

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