Growth of hyperkinetic children taking methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, or imipramine/desipramine. 1976

M D Gross

One hundred children with the hyperkinetic syndrome or minimal brain dysfunction syndrome were treated with medication: 60 with methylphenidate (Ritalin), 24 with dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and 16 with either imipramine or desipramine. The duration of treatment was for a minimum of two years, and averaged five years, with an average follow-up of six years from the onset of treatment. Their weight and height had been measured prior to treatment, and these and subsequent measurements were converted to percentiles, using the tables of norms of the Iowa City study. Initially there was a diminution in expected weight, but not height, but after a few years the growth in weight and height was found to be greater than predicted from the norms to a statistically significant degree. Gains in weight and height were greater for those whose medication had been stopped prior to the final measurements than for those still taking medication; but these differences did not reach statistical significance. No correlations were found between dosage level and changes in weight and height percentiles. It is concluded that there is no stunting of growth from the long-term use of methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, or imipramine/desipramine in children. Any slowing of growth when treatment is first started is compensated for later on, both while the patient is still taking the medication, and after discontinuing it.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007099 Imipramine The prototypical tricyclic antidepressant. It has been used in major depression, dysthymia, bipolar depression, attention-deficit disorders, agoraphobia, and panic disorders. It has less sedative effect than some other members of this therapeutic group. Imidobenzyle,Imizin,4,4'-Methylenebis(3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid)-3-(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo(b,f)azepin-5-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-1-propanamine (1:2),Imipramine Hydrochloride,Imipramine Monohydrochloride,Imipramine Pamoate,Janimine,Melipramine,Norchlorimipramine,Pryleugan,Tofranil
D008297 Male Males
D008774 Methylphenidate A central nervous system stimulant used most commonly in the treatment of ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER in children and for NARCOLEPSY. Its mechanisms appear to be similar to those of DEXTROAMPHETAMINE. The d-isomer of this drug is referred to as DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE. Centedrin,Concerta,Daytrana,Equasym,Metadate,Methylin,Methylphenidate Hydrochloride,Phenidylate,Ritalin,Ritalin-SR,Ritaline,Tsentedrin,Hydrochloride, Methylphenidate,Ritalin SR
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003913 Dextroamphetamine The d-form of AMPHETAMINE. It is a central nervous system stimulant and a sympathomimetic. It has also been used in the treatment of narcolepsy and of attention deficit disorders and hyperactivity in children. Dextroamphetamine has multiple mechanisms of action including blocking uptake of adrenergics and dopamine, stimulating release of monamines, and inhibiting monoamine oxidase. It is also a drug of abuse and a psychotomimetic. d-Amphetamine,Curban,Dexamfetamine,Dexamphetamine,Dexedrine,Dextro-Amphetamine Sulfate,DextroStat,Dextroamphetamine Sulfate,Oxydess,d-Amphetamine Sulfate,dextro-Amphetamine,Dextro Amphetamine Sulfate,Sulfate, Dextroamphetamine,d Amphetamine,d Amphetamine Sulfate,dextro Amphetamine
D005260 Female Females
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006128 Growth Gradual increase in the number, the size, and the complexity of cells of an individual. Growth generally results in increase in ORGAN WEIGHT; BODY WEIGHT; and BODY HEIGHT.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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