Growth deficits in ADHD children revisited: Evidence for disorder- associated growth delays?

Thomas J. Spencer, Joseph Biederman, Margaret Harding, Deborah O'Donnell, Stephen V. Faraone, Timothy E. Wilens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

191 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To reevaluate the hypothesis that stimulants cause growth deficits in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: Growth deficits in height and weight were examined in 124 children and adolescents with ADHD and 109 controls, using appropriate correction by age and parental height measures and attending to issues of pubertal stage, treatment, and psychiatric comorbidity. Results: Small but significant differences in height were identified between ADHD children and controls. However, height deficits were evident in early but not late adolescent ADHD children and were unrelated to use of psychotropic medications. There was no evidence of weight deficits in ADHD children relative to controls, and no relationship between measures of malnutrition and short stature was identified. Conclusions: ADHD may be associated with temporary deficits in growth in height through mid-adolescence that may normalize by late adolescence. This effect appears to be mediated by ADHD and not its treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1460-1469
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume35
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • growth
  • stimulants

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