ADHD Medications Stunt Growth
By Kevin Flatt
A new review of past studies on the effect that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs have on children's growth concludes that the drugs do, in fact, suppress growth to some degree.
Referring to parents of children on stimulant treatment, Dr. Omar Khwaja, an instructor in neurology at Children's Hospital Boston, said: "Their physicians need to pay attention and monitor growth in these children, and if it falls off of what is expected, think about lowering the dose or changing the dosing schedule."
Dr. David W. Goodman, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said: “What parents need to consider is the quality of life improvement great enough to assume the possible risk of slight growth suppression? For most, it's my impression that parents and kids would accept that risk." (Serena Gordon, HealthDay News May 2).
The ADHD drug manufacturers have been instructed to produce Patient Medication Guides that tell patients about possible risks of adverse cardiovascular and psychiatric symptoms and the precautions they should take. The new instruction affects 15 products, including various forms of Adderall, Concerta, Daytrana, Dexedrine, Focalin, Metadate, Methylin, Ritalin, and Strattera. The FDA has been criticized for failing to notify the public sooner. (Medical News Today 22 Feb 2007).
We also have an appalling system for monitoring medication side effects - so it’s hard from random reporting to ascribe cause and effect. Governments need to insist that post marketing surveillance- watching drugs once they’re on the market - is the rule rather than the exception. (abc.net.au/health/minutes 6 April 2006).
The pharmaceutical industry and psychiatrists are making this condition of ADHD a diagnosable disease, like pneumonia. It is not a disease, but a multifactorial condition and nutrition can help these children function in the over-controlled classrooms. The only diagnostic criterion we prescribing pediatricians and psychiatrists have is: "If the Ritalin works, the child needs it." It suggests that the child has a Ritalin deficiency. (Dr Lendon H. Smith M.D.).
Copyright 2007 Kevin Flatt. Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is presented for information purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.
