Managing Growth Deceleration Associated With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Stimulant-Induced Appetite Suppression

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been diagnosed in 9.8% of children ages 3 to 17 years in the United States according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2016 to 2019, and 62% of children with ADHD take medication as part of their treatment.¹ Due to their well-established safety profile and high efficacy, central nervous system stimulants are used as first-line treatment for symptom reduction in children with ADHD.² For each patient, benefits of stimulant medications must be weighed against risks, which may include appetite suppression and weight loss in children. Since the benefits of stimulants were first established, concern has grown for stimulant-associated growth deceleration and shorter adult height.