Virginia Via Research Day Book 2026

Medical Student Research Case Reports

44 STIMULANT-ASSOCIATED GROWTH SUPPRESSION IN A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL WITH ADHD

Shruti Idnani, MS; Shailesh Gohel, MD Corresponding author: sidnani@vcom.edu

VCOM-Virginia, Blacksburg, Virginia

mixed amphetamine salts, and guanfacine, and ultimately stabilized on Quillichew ER with adjunctive guanfacine. High stimulant doses were required for adequate school performance and improved behavioral regulation. This coincided with the onset of significant linear growth deceleration. By October 2024, a marked plateau in height velocity was noted. Subsequent endocrinology evaluation ruled out hormonal or growth hormone deficiency. Despite adequate evening caloric intake and normal weight maintenance, her projected adult height decreased by approximately two inches from her pre-treatment prediction. No systemic, endocrine, or nutritional etiologies for growth failure were identified. Comments: Search terms: “stimulant growth suppression in children,” “ADHD medication linear growth.”

Context: This case describes a 7-year-old girl with ADHD who experienced significant growth deceleration while receiving CNS stimulant regimens. This ultimately resulted in an estimated adult height approximately two inches shorter than her predicted trajectory before CNS stimulants were introduced. This case highlights the epidemiology and clinical significance of stimulant-associated growth suppression. Report of Case: A 7-year-old girl with ADHD presented with stagnation in height velocity over a one year period following an increased dosage in her CNS stimulant therapy. Prior to treatment, she tracked along the 75th percentile for height with consistent growth. Her clinical course included multiple stimulant trials and dose adjustments due to limited efficacy, adverse effects, and challenges with symptom control at school. She was treated sequentially with methyphenidate formulations,

Comparison to Literature: Her course parallels findings from Faraone, Swanson, and others demonstrating early height-velocity reduction from stimulant therapy, largely mediated by appetite suppression and possible dopaminergic effects. The degree of growth stagnation in this case was more pronounced than typically reported, despite adequate nutrition and extensive medication adjustments. Diagnosis: Stimulant-associated growth suppression, high certainty, given the temporal association and exclusion of endocrine causes. IRB Statement: The authors obtained consent from the parent to use their child's data for this case report.

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82 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)