ESPE Abstracts (2014) 82 P-D-1-2-158

ESPE2014 Poster Presentations Growth (1) (12 abstracts)

Effects of Methylphenidate on Growth and Appetite in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Patients

Fatih Gurbuz a , Berrak Bilginer Gurbuz b , Gonca Celik c , Veli Yildirim d , Ahmet Ucakturk e , Eda Mengen a , Ali Kemal Topaloglu a & Bilgin Yuksel a


aCukurova University, Pediatric Endocrinology, Adana, Turkey; bNumune Training Hospital, Pediatrics, Adana, Turkey; cCukurova University, Pediatric Psychiatry, Adana, Turkey, dMersin University, Pediatric Psychiatry, Mersin, Turkey, eMersin Gynecology and Pediatric Hospital, Pediatric Endocrinology, Mersin, Turkey


Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric problems of adolescent and childhood. Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant drug in use of attention-deficit hyperactivity treatment as a first choice modality.

Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of leptin, ghrelin and nesfatin-1 in relation to slowdown in growth and poor appetite.

Method: Total of 89 male children at the age of 7–14 years in two groups was conducted in this study; 48 ADHD and 41 age-matched control group without any disorder. Leptin, ghrelin and nesfatin-1 levels were measured by ELISA together with anthropometric measurements before and after 3 months of the methylphenidate treatment. Additionally, IGF1 and IGFBP3 levels were evaluated. Results were expressed as mean±S.D., median (min-max), n (number of patients), and percent (%).

Results: Lack of appetite was observed in 34 of 48 patients together with a significant decrease in weight, weight SDS, BMI, and BMI SDS values. Interestingly, the height SDS was in trend of decreasing while statistically insignificant. In addition, serum IGFBP3 levels were remained unchanged while there was a significant decrease in IGF1 levels. Most significant data from the study were increased leptin levels and decreased ghrelin levels after methylphenidate therapy, but no change in nesfatin-1 levels. Interestingly, there was a positive correlation between leptin and nesfatin-1 values after the treatment.

Conclusion: Methylphenidate therapy in ADHD patients has an effect on lack of appetite via an increase in leptin and decrease in ghrelin levels. Mechanisms underlying the growth and appetite status in ADHD patients in relation to treatment modalities were studied, in first in literature. Future studies could be designed to examine the mechanisms supported by our study.

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