Do Stimulant Medications Stunt Growth?

School-aged children with ADHD had stimulant-related decreased growth rates, especially during the first year of treatment.

The possibility that use of stimulant medications for children with ADHD might be associated with decreased growth was reported 35 years ago. Subsequent studies (mostly retrospective) both support and refute this hypothesis. To address the growth controversy, researchers analyzed 36-month follow-up data from the Mulitmodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (combined type).

Children entered the study at age 7 to 9 years; some remained unmedicated, some started stimulant medication, and some were consistently or inconsistently medicated throughout the study. Two groups of children had a significant divergence in growth: children who were newly treated with stimulants and children who remained unmedicated during the study. Growth in newly t…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics