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Effects of acetazolamide on linear growth in children with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome
Claire A Sheldon1, Sara N Reggie2, Grace L Paley3
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Insights
Acetazolamide treatment for pediatric pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) may lead to growth suppression in some children. This effect on growth can potentially reverse after discontinuing the medication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Oral acetazolamide is a primary treatment for pediatric pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS).
- Prior research indicates potential growth impacts of acetazolamide in pediatric populations with various conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between acetazolamide treatment and growth parameters in children diagnosed with PTCS.
- To assess the reversibility of any observed growth suppression after acetazolamide discontinuation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review at a single tertiary medical center.
- Inclusion of 34 children with definite or probable PTCS.
- Analysis focused on 22 children with anthropometric data available before and during acetazolamide treatment.
Main Results:
- 50% of children (n=11/22) experienced a decline in Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-scores.
- 63% of children (n=14/22) showed decreased height Z-scores during acetazolamide therapy.
- 3 out of 6 children with complete data demonstrated partial height Z-score recovery post-treatment cessation.
Conclusions:
- Acetazolamide use in pediatric PTCS may be linked to growth suppression in a subset of patients.
- Observed growth suppression may be reversible in some children upon discontinuation of acetazolamide.
Background/Introduction:
While oral acetazolamide is a cornerstone of management of adult and pediatric PTCS, previous studies have suggested that acetazolamide used in children with other conditions may influence growth.
Aims And Methods:
Retrospective chart review involving a single tertiary medical center. Thirty-four children with definite or probable PTCS were identified. Analysis was restricted to individuals from whom anthropometric data were available before and during acetazolamide treatment (n=22).
Results:
Half of individuals (n=11/22) showed a decline in BMI Z-scores. Sixty-three percent (n=14/22) showed a decrease in height Z-scores during treatment with acetazolamide; in 6 of these 14 children who had complete data, 3 showed at least a partial recovery of height Z-scores after discontinuation of acetazolamide.
Conclusion:
Acetazolamide may be associated with growth suppression in some children treated for pediatric PTCS. In some cases, the growth suppression appears to reverse once the acetazolamide is stopped.
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