Growth in stimulant-naive children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the growth of stimulant-naive children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in 3 aspects of development: level, trend, and structure of the process.


METHODS
The study sample included 53 individuals between the ages of 6 and 17 years (mean: 11.90). The average level of growth (z scores) in prepubertal, pubertal, and postpubertal stage of development and trend of the process were estimated on the basis of a comparison with growth charts. The prediction of adolescent growth spurt was conducted using the mathematical structural growth model of Jolioceur, Pontier, and Abidi.


RESULTS
Difference between boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity and the norm was statistically significant in the prepubertal stage and for the average level of growth between the ages of 2 and 17 years. Distinct suppression of growth was found between the ages of 9 and 14. Analysis of development structure revealed an earlier onset of the adolescent growth spurt among boys (difference: 5 months) and a higher velocity of growth at this moment (difference: 0.33 cm/year) than expected values.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses clearly illustrated the higher level of growth of boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity in the prepubertal stage, the suppression of growth on the turn of prepubertal and pubertal periods, and earlier occurrence of the spurt onset. Observed differences in the level and trend of growth as well as in the parameters of adolescent growth spurt are linked with disorder-related factors.
Hanć
Tomasz
T
Department of Human Biological Development, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland. tomekh@amu.edu.pl
Cieślik
Joachim
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants