title: Long-term effects of short-acting methylphenidate on growth rates of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methylphenidate (MPH) is generally considered to be first-line treatment for the core symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Long-term administration of MPH in childhood may have adverse effects on growth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of long-term, short-acting MPH medication on growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective descriptive study was employed by gathering the data of patients who were diagnosed as ADHD by child psychiatrists at the child and adolescent clinic, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health. Subjects were patients received the first dose of short-acting methylphenidate from January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2007 and continued medication for at least 1 year. Data about height and weight were reviewed at the beginning of short-acting MPH medication, 6 months (mo), 1 yr, 2 yr, 3 yr, 4 yr, 5 yr, 6 yr and 7 yr interval. Collecting data was interpreted with INMU-Nutri Stat software program. Paired t-test was used to compare Z score of height and weight at different time points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 96 cases in the present study; the ratio of male to female was 3.6: 1. The first dose of short-acting methylphenidate was started at an average age of 8.62 +/- 1.70 years. Average drug dose ranged from 0.41-0.49 mg/kg/day. The data evaluated at 6 mo, 1 year 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years after drug use found that weight was not affected. Height decreased at 6 mo. after drug use (p < 0.05) but long-term treatment was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged medication with short-acting MPH has shown to have minimal impact on height only at the first 6 months; however, catch up growth was detected during adolescent period.
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand. tepmn@yahoo.com
authors: Pranee
authors: P
authors: Moungnoi
authors: Prinyaporn
authors: P
authors: Maipang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013785:Thailand; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate