Body Weight Gain of Antipsychotics on Children and Adolescents Within 6-8 weeks: A Network Meta-Analysis

Antipsychotic medications are prescribed in the pediatric population for various psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, mood disorders, and other disruptive behaviors. However, the use of antipsychotic medications, particularly atypical antipsychotic medications, has raised concerns because of their potential to cause weight gain.

This review aims to compare the effects of different antipsychotic medications on weight gain in children and adolescents, particularly patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia, after 6-8 weeks of antipsychotic treatment.

We searched 5 online databases. Seventeen articles were included with 1360 participants being enrolled.

Meta-insight was used for network meta-analysis. We used body weight gain (kilogram) collected in the included studies for calculation.

Olanzapine caused the most significant weight gain. The ranking of clozapine is not as high as in adult studies. In contrast, molindone may actually reduce weight. Weight gain in patients with schizophrenia is more clinically significant than in the whole participants.

Our study indicated the effects of different antipsychotic medications on body weight gain among children. Childhood-onset schizophrenia may represent a more vulnerable group. Future studies exploring genetic and physiologic risk factors for weight gain, and potential preventive strategies, are needed.