ADHD stimulants and their effect on height in children.

QUESTION: Many more children today are diagnosed and treated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Parents frequently ask me if the stimulant medications their children receive might affect their height as adults. What should I tell them? ANSWER: Stimulant medications, including methylphenidate and amphetamine, are safe and effective in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Research on the issue of growth suppression is lacking, mostly owing to insufficient follow-up on patients' final heights. In general, the rate of height loss seems relatively small and is likely reversible with withdrawal of treatment. Clinical presentation and academic achievements should be the key to determining which drug to prescribe, the preparation, and the dose.