Height, weight, IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and thyroid functions in prepubertal children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: effect of methylphenidate treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if there are any disease-related or methylphenidate-induced aberrations in growth parameters, growth hormone insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGFBP-3 axis and the thyroid function tests in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
Newly diagnosed and untreated prepubertal children with ADHD were longitudinally followed before and approximately every 4 months after methylphenidate treatment for up to 16 months. Height SDS, weight SDS, BMI SDS, serum GH, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, T4, free T4, T3, and TSH were measured at each visit.


RESULTS
All of the examined parameters were within normal limits for age before treatment. Methylphenidate treatment did not significantly affect SDS of height, weight, BMI, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in the long run. Serum T4 and free T4 levels showed modest reductions within normal limits in a time-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
Prepubertal children with ADHD had normal height, weight, BMI, serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and thyroid functions. Methylphenidate treatment had no sustained effects on growth parameters, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 during the follow-up period of this study. However, it caused a mild decrease in total and free T4 which may warrant further monitoring.
Bereket
Abdullah
A
Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. abereket@e-kolay.net
Turan
Serap
S
Karaman
M Goksin
MG
Haklar
Goncagul
G
Ozbay
Fatih
F
Yazgan
M Yanki
MY
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D008774:Methylphenidate; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I