How Ritalin Affects Physical Development in Children
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About the Drug
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Reports show that nearly 8 percent of children in the U.S. today are being prescribed Ritalin. However, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that fewer than 5 percent of these children actually suffer from attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)--two behavioral disorders for which neurologists and psychiatrists commonly prescribe the drug. Because the medication affects the chemical balance of a developing brain, researchers say that it is critical to not prescribe Ritalin for young children who might not really need it. Ritalin is a drug that acts something like an amphetamine or cocaine, actually stimulating the nervous system.
Cautions About the Drug
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A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience warns doctors to be careful in making a diagnosis for which they would prescribe Ritalin, as the drug affects the neurochemical balance of a youngster's developing brain. Several studies suggest that while the drug may be effective in calming the symptoms of ADHD and similar disorders, when given to a young child with a healthy brain chemistry, the medication could cause harmful side effects. Despite research, which indicates that Ritalin can have a number of beneficial effects on behavior when prescribed for children accurately diagnosed with ADHD and other behavioral disorders, the drug has the potential to cause physical problems for children who take it. While Ritalin is known to slow down a hyperactive child, resulting in more manageable behavior, it is important to consider whether a child might simply be precocious and only needs additional outlets for her energy.
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Effects on Physical Growth
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Ritalin is frequently used as treatment for children who are either inattentive or overly active, impulsive, or difficult to control because their brains are easily distracted by the sights and sounds around them. Yet there is significant concern that the drug can suppress a child's physical growth and affect brain development, particularly in children under the age of six. Some studies show that children taking the medication grow less in height and weight than other children of the same age. Since the drug is often administered during the years when a child grows most, it is strongly recommended that children who are prescribed Ritalin over a lengthy period of time have both their height and weight closely monitored by a physician.
Other Adverse Side Effects
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Other potential adverse side effects may include fatigue, weight loss, dizziness, anxiety, increase in blood pressure, depression, nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, lack of coordination, nervous tics, and convulsions, to name only a few. Pediatricians point out that side effects of the medication seem to be more intense in younger children. Another concern is that some children who take the drug over a long period of time may eventually experience problems with their livers. Research also suggests that individuals who continue to take Ritalin throughout the course of their lifetime are at a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease. In addition, the majority of children taking Ritalin develop a dependency on the drug. Unfortunately, this increases their tolerance for the medication, and they require higher doses to get the same results. Children who are taken off the drug suffer physical withdrawal symptoms similar to those that someone addicted to speed would experience when coming off those drugs.
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