Childhood SSRIs Stunt Growth?..........

[Guest guest]

" Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Their Impact on

Growth Rates

Some of the most widely prescribed medicines in the world are

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). They are

antidepressant medicines that have also been shown to be useful in a

number of other disorders. As with most medicines, most of their

testing has been done in adults. Among children, the major reported

side effects have been poor sleep, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort.

A small case study published in the July 2002 issue of the Archives

of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine followed the stories of four

children who had each been taking been taking an SSRI for at least 6

months – and whose growth rates were significantly slowed. The

authors suggest that the medicines may decrease growth in children.

I'm unconvinced. The report comes from an endocrine clinic in Israel

where they evaluate children for short stature. They looked at four

of the kids they were evaluating who also happened to be on one of

these medicines. This could be purely coincidental – but the point is

that we don't know. Larger studies of SSRI in children have not

adequately addressed growth issues. Children deserve thoughtful,

scientific evaluation of the medicines used to treat them. "

http://www.drgreene.com/21_987.html

[Guest guest]

" Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Their Impact on

Growth Rates

Some of the most widely prescribed medicines in the world are

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). They are

antidepressant medicines that have also been shown to be useful in a

number of other disorders. As with most medicines, most of their

testing has been done in adults. Among children, the major reported

side effects have been poor sleep, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort.

A small case study published in the July 2002 issue of the Archives

of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine followed the stories of four

children who had each been taking been taking an SSRI for at least 6

months – and whose growth rates were significantly slowed. The

authors suggest that the medicines may decrease growth in children.

I'm unconvinced. The report comes from an endocrine clinic in Israel

where they evaluate children for short stature. They looked at four

of the kids they were evaluating who also happened to be on one of

these medicines. This could be purely coincidental – but the point is

that we don't know. Larger studies of SSRI in children have not

adequately addressed growth issues. Children deserve thoughtful,

scientific evaluation of the medicines used to treat them. "

http://www.drgreene.com/21_987.html

[Guest guest]

" Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Their Impact on

Growth Rates

Some of the most widely prescribed medicines in the world are

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). They are

antidepressant medicines that have also been shown to be useful in a

number of other disorders. As with most medicines, most of their

testing has been done in adults. Among children, the major reported

side effects have been poor sleep, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort.

A small case study published in the July 2002 issue of the Archives

of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine followed the stories of four

children who had each been taking been taking an SSRI for at least 6

months – and whose growth rates were significantly slowed. The

authors suggest that the medicines may decrease growth in children.

I'm unconvinced. The report comes from an endocrine clinic in Israel

where they evaluate children for short stature. They looked at four

of the kids they were evaluating who also happened to be on one of

these medicines. This could be purely coincidental – but the point is

that we don't know. Larger studies of SSRI in children have not

adequately addressed growth issues. Children deserve thoughtful,

scientific evaluation of the medicines used to treat them. "

http://www.drgreene.com/21_987.html

[Guest guest]

" Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Their Impact on

Growth Rates

Some of the most widely prescribed medicines in the world are

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). They are

antidepressant medicines that have also been shown to be useful in a

number of other disorders. As with most medicines, most of their

testing has been done in adults. Among children, the major reported

side effects have been poor sleep, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort.

A small case study published in the July 2002 issue of the Archives

of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine followed the stories of four

children who had each been taking been taking an SSRI for at least 6

months – and whose growth rates were significantly slowed. The

authors suggest that the medicines may decrease growth in children.

I'm unconvinced. The report comes from an endocrine clinic in Israel

where they evaluate children for short stature. They looked at four

of the kids they were evaluating who also happened to be on one of

these medicines. This could be purely coincidental – but the point is

that we don't know. Larger studies of SSRI in children have not

adequately addressed growth issues. Children deserve thoughtful,

scientific evaluation of the medicines used to treat them. "

http://www.drgreene.com/21_987.html