Severe weight gain in 2 boys treated with risperidone

Abstract

Weight gain is a frequent side effect of treatment with atypical antipsychotics in adults as well as in children, but the prevalence and severity are still far underestimated. We here report on 2 boys who developed severe overweight during treatment with risperidone. An 8.5 years old boy more than doubled his weight during 4 years of treatment with risperidone resulting in a BMI increase from 17.0 kg/m² (+ 0.6 SDS) to 29.6 kg/m² (+ 2.9 SDS) at the age of 12.4 yrs. A 12.3 years old boy, treated since the age of 9.1 years with risperidone, also doubled his weight during 3 years of treatment with an increase in BMI from 16.4 kg/m² (+ 0.1 SDS) to 26.0 kg/m² (+ 1.9 SDS). Auxological and metabolic parameters should carefully be followed-up in all children treated with atypical antipsychotics and weight stabilising or reducing actions should be taken as soon as indicated.