The effects of stimulant medications on children’s growth velocity

Objective: This study sought to determine whether relationships exist between stimulant medications and children’s growth velocity.Methods: The investigators conducted a retrospective review of 280 charts of pre-pubertal children with attention-deficit hyperactivitydisorder (ADHD) who were prescribed stimulant medications for a minimum of 1 year. The children were patients in a university childdevelopment/ADHD clinic. Results: The average growth velocity across all genders and ages was 5.72 cm/year (females 5.53 cm/year,males 5.28 cm/year). The majority of the children had growth velocities in the 25-50th percentiles for age. Conclusion: This study didnot find evidence of significant effect on growth velocity in children with ADHD treated with stimulant medications. Our results concurwith the majority of other studies of growth in children taking stimulant medications for ADHD management. It supports our continuedprescription of stimulant medications without concern for slowed or stunted growth in our patients with ADHD