Depression of Growth in Hyperactive Children on Stimulant Drugs

Abstract

In 29 hyperactive children, dextroamphetamine (10 or 15 mg per day) and methylphenidate (30 or 40 mg per day) caused suppression of weight gain. Mean yearly weight gain of nine children on medication for two years was 1.8 kg as compared to the expected gain of 3.1 kg. Depression of growth in height varied in degree; however, children whose growth was depressed also had proportional depression of growth in height.