Kids Who Take ADHD Stimulant Medicine Have Increased Risk Of Broken Bones

Kids that take stimulant medicine like methylphenidate to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more prone to broken bones and fractures compared to those not taking the drug. A new research shows that ADHD stimulants are linked to low bone density. Having fragile bones could negatively affect the future health of kids with ADHD.

Researchers say that healthy bones are important for children and their development. Children with low bone density are more likely get fractures, broken bones and have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis in the future.

"Adolescence and young adulthood are critically important times for accruing peak bone mass -- the largest and densest bone," senior researcher Dr. Alexis Feuer from Weill Cornell Medicine said, via Science Daily.  He adds that having low bone mass in childhood and early adolescence can increase children's risk of fractures, broken bones and development of osteoporosis later in life.

The researchers took their data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and analyzed it to determine bone density among users of the ADHD stimulant medicine. They found that the participants had a nearly 4 percent lower bone density at the lumbar spine and around 3.7 percent lower bone density at the femoral neck around the hips.

.@WeillCornell: Bone density in kids on ADHD stimulants should be monitored https://t.co/pyJjvIOfzw

— Cornell University (@Cornell) April 4, 2016

Researchers say that their study is the first to observe the effect of ADHD stimulants on bone density. Dr. Feueur adds that low bone density among ADHD stimulant users, particularly kids, can be avoided and keep tracked. This is so children can get the right amount of vitamin D and appropriate exercise to strengthen bones.

"Fortunately, a child's bone health can be comprehensively screened through careful monitoring of their linear growth and weight gain and ensuring these children receive adequate weight-bearing exercise and have sufficient vitamin D levels."  Dr. Feuer said, as reported by Medscape.