Growth in Hyperactive Children Treated With Stimulant Medication

Abstract

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a common diagnosis in the United States. Many children are treated with stimulant medications to improve symptoms; however, there have been concerns that use of these medications leads to poor growth. The purpose of this article is to review the diagnostic criterion for ADD and to review the published literature regarding growth in children with who have been treated with stimulant medications. According to published studies, growth effects vary according to length of treatment and dose, and it appears that children with ADD may be at greater risk for poor growth even before being treated with stimulant medications.