Vital signs in children exposed to methylphenidate

Introduction: Methylphenidate (MPH) is one of the most widely used medications to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children; its potential side effects have been a permanent concern. Methods: Along a year we surveyed blood pressure, heart rate, cranial circumference, body height and weight of ADHD patients treated with MPH. Individual data were compared with percentile growth charts for age and gender. Results: Fifty six patients were included, ages 4 to 17 years, 82% males. Forty three patients were taking short action MPH and 13 sustained release MPH (OROS). Eighteen patients had ADHD alone and the rest of them had a comorbid ADHD, 16 with epilepsy and 7 had mild mental retardation. Nineteen patients take an antiepileptic drug, 8 a neuroleptic drug and 3 an antidepressive drug. In five patients blood pressure was under normal (3rd centile) without clinical manifestations. Any patient had abnormal heart rates, 15 patients had microcephaly and one had macrocephaly. Four patients had short stature and 3 were above centile 97. Conclusions: We found no significant changes in cardiovascular parameters, patients with low blood pressure were clinically asymptomatic. Weight and height were not affected through the year of follow-up, growth velocity remained normal in all cases. However, we suggest a permanent follow- up in patients under chronic drug treatment.