ADHD Drugs: Sudden Death Risk Higher?

[Celebration]

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20090615/adhd-drugs-sudden-death-risk-higher

Researchers collected data on stimulant use among 564 children and teenagers who died unexpectedly of unknown causes and an equal number who died as passengers in auto accidents. Many of the unexplained deaths were later attributed to previously undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmias.

They concluded that the odds of using stimulant medication were six to seven times greater among the children who died suddenly of unexplained causes than among those who died in car crashes.

Ten children who died of unknown causes (just under 2%) took stimulants, compared to two children (0.4%) who died in auto accidents.

The study does not prove that ADHD drugs cause cardiac deaths. But lead researcher Madelyn S. Gould, PhD, tells WebMD that the results highlight the importance of carefully screening children and teens for heart conditions when the medications are prescribed.

[trotsky]

1. This has been known for a long time, hasn't it?

ADHD medications are stimulants. Stimulants are dangerous when given to people with heart conditions or defects. When they are prescribed, they don't usually do a full cardiac analysis of the child but they do look at family history to see if there are any red flags warranting further investigation.

[Celebration]

2. This probably confirms what was highly suspected

Cardiac workups should probably be done. Not proven--but it looks like these drugs, as they are currently prescribed, are killing a certain very small percentage of patients.

[trotsky]

3. I'll defer to the medical experts

rather than tell them what should be done. This study could also be showing that ADHD and cardiac arrhythmias are genetically linked, thus explaining why more kids who die of them are on ADHD medication.

[Celebration]

4. Could be

All the more reason to do screening.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

5. Twelve leads EKG's are cheap and non-invasive, no reason to not do them.

Of course the conclusion could also be reached that ADHD drugs cause better driving performance in teens. One study isn't enough but it should be looked into further.

David

[mzmolly]

6. .

:kick: