title: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drugs and growth: an Italian prospective observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess the long-term effect of methylphenidate (MPH) or atomoxetine (ATX) on growth in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug-naïve children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was an observational, post-marketing, fourth phase study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on height and weight were collected at baseline and every 6 months up to 24 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both ATX and MPH lead to decreased height gain (assessed by means of z-scores); the effect was significantly higher for ATX than for MPH. At any time, height z-score decrease in the ATX group was higher than the corresponding decrease observed in the MPH group, but the difference was significantly relevant only during the first year of treatment. An increment of average weight was observed both in patients treated with MPH and in those treated with ATX. However, using Tanner's percentile, a subset of patients showed a degree of growth lower than expected. This negative effect was significantly higher for ATX than for MPH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that ADHD drugs show a negative effect on linear growth in children in middle term. Such effect appears more evident for ATX than for MPH.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Elena A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Germinario
authors.forename: Romano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arcieri
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonati
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zuddas
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarotti
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Panei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; 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*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011437:Propylamines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride
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