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Impact of Central Nervous System Stimulant Medication Use on Growth in Pediatric Populations with

Kyle Troksa1, Nikolas Kovacich1, Michael Moro1

  • 1University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, Colorado.

Pharmacotherapy
|October 29, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Central nervous system stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be linked to decreased weight and BMI. Evidence remains conflicting on whether these ADHD medications significantly impact height in children and adolescents.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Pharmacology
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Central nervous system stimulants are a primary treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Common side effects include appetite loss and insomnia, but long-term effects on growth are debated.
  • Previous research on stimulant-induced growth delay in pediatric ADHD populations has yielded conflicting results.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current literature on the impact of central nervous system stimulants on growth parameters in children with ADHD.
  • To synthesize recent findings regarding stimulant effects on height and weight in pediatric patients diagnosed with ADHD.
  • To evaluate the evidence for potential growth delays associated with long-term stimulant therapy for ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database.
  • Included studies utilized Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for ADHD diagnoses (IV, IV-TR, V).
  • Nine relevant articles detailing clinical observations of height and weight in pediatric/adolescent ADHD patients on stimulant medication were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • The review suggests a potential association between longer duration of stimulant treatment, higher doses, and reduced weight and body mass index (BMI) in children with ADHD.
  • Evidence regarding a significant impact of stimulant use on height decreases remains conflicting.
  • Current data indicates a need for further high-quality research to clarify the relationship between stimulant therapy and height changes.

Conclusions:

  • Stimulant therapy for ADHD may be associated with decreased weight and BMI, particularly with longer treatment durations and higher doses.
  • The effect of stimulant medications on height in children and adolescents with ADHD is not definitively established, with conflicting evidence.
  • Further high-quality studies are required to ascertain the long-term effects of stimulant use on growth parameters in pediatric ADHD patients.

Keywords:
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disordercentral stimulantgrowthpediatric

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