Effect on growth in pemoline-treated children with attention deficit disorder
N. Friedmann, J. Thomas, R. Carr, J. Elders, I. Ringdahl and A. Roche
The growth of 22 children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) was
monitored longitudinally for up to four years. Each child received at least
one year of continuous, successful pemoline (Cylert) therapy, after which
drug "vacations" were allowed. The effective dosage of pemoline ranged from
56 to 150 mg/day during the first year of treatment. Stature and weight
measurements at six-month intervals were matched to those of paired
"normal" children from the Fels Longitudinal Study. Significant deficits
were observed for mean weight change at six and 12 months after baseline,
and for mean stature change at 12 and 18 months after baseline. However,
all subsequent six-month results up to four years did not differ
significantly between the two groups. These results show a temporary
retardation in the rate of growth in weight and stature with later catch-up
growth in children treated wih pemoline.
