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Effects of prenatal exposure to neuroleptic drugs on children's growth

J E Platt1, A J Friedhoff, S H Broman

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016.

Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
|September 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to dopamine receptor-blocking neuroleptic drugs may increase child height, with 7-year-olds showing a 3 cm increase. Dopamine-depleting agents were linked to temporary height reduction in infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to medications can impact child development.
  • Neuroleptic drugs, particularly dopamine receptor blockers, are used during pregnancy.
  • The long-term effects of prenatal neuroleptic exposure on growth are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to neuroleptic drugs on children's height and weight from birth to 7 years.
  • To differentiate effects based on drug type (dopamine receptor-blocking vs. dopamine-depleting).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project.
  • Employed analysis of covariance to control for confounding factors.
  • Compared growth parameters between exposed and unexposed children.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal exposure to dopamine receptor-blocking neuroleptics was associated with increased height at 4 months, 1 year, and 7 years.
  • Seven-year-olds exposed for >2 months gestation were ~3 cm taller than controls (p < 0.05).
  • Prenatal exposure to dopamine-depleting agents correlated with decreased height at 4 months, but not later.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to dopamine receptor-blocking neuroleptics may lead to sustained increases in childhood height.
  • Potential mechanisms involve alterations in brain dopamine receptors and hormonal pathways.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the long-term developmental and physiological consequences.

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