http://www.aaa3.net/connors-rating-scale/
Stimulant medications increase the risk of sudden death in children
Stimulant medications increase the risk of sudden death in children
There has been quite a recent series of activities around the recent publication in the American Journal of Psychiatry shows a 7-fold increase in the incidence Sudden death in children taking stimulant medications (Concerta, Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin and Dexedrine).
Recently, the FDA called for "caution" in the interpretation of this study because the parents 'bias' in the reports of the drugs were his sons. The study projected by asking parents what drugs their children were at the time of death. The MD Director of the FDA Dr. Robert Temple, highly stressed that this assessment is "subject to recall bias "and that these results should not serve as a basis for parents to give medication to their children because of other" risk behaviors associated with ADHD. "
The lead author, Dr. Madelyn Gould, PhD rejects that argument and said that "This study had sufficient statistical power to detect an association. My confidence in the results is not diminished, as has been reviewed by experts [and unpublished]. "Certainly this study was funded by the FDA and the National Institute Mental Health. It seems that maybe the results were not what we expected.
The controversy began last year when a study like this, which is stimulant medication exacerbated the underlying cardiac abnormalities not previously detected – leading to fatal arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats). After This study by the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that physicians have an ECG (to monitor the heart) if a child was to be put on stimulant drugs – that even today its recommendations. The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) issued its own statement saying ECG are not guaranteed.
So Who are we to believe? After two well-controlled studies the most serious side effect (death) – seems to err on the side of caution is justified. I mean after all, an ECG is one of the simplest tests you can perform. But honestly – do not think twice if the doctor said: "We will put your child on Ritalin, but first we have to do an EKG to make sure his heart is strong because if not, the risk of death sudden 6 times. "I guarantee most parents would be out the door.
Do not make any sense to me why the FDA appears to have the attitude a drug is safe until proven otherwise – back to me. At the same time, they know that in August 2008, the AAP recognized that they were wrong deny the association of preservatives and food coloring with ADHD. Do not they know that multiple studies have shown that omega-3 EPA rhythms with Ritalin in Connors Scale (the standard test that rates the severity of ADHD) with diarrhea is the most serious side effect? Oh, let's not forget about the study duration of the year showing Pycnogenol (an antioxidant of the Pine Tree) again exceeded Concerta without side effects. I could go!
It makes more sense (again perhaps these guys are so lost in statistical numbers to think logically) to address the above measures FIRST – who have no association and effects have been reported life-threatening side at all. Our Federal Drug Association is badly damaged.
References:
Am J. Psychiatry June 15, 2009
About the Author
Dr. Joseph Humpherys is an expert in Attention Deficit Disorders and has been practicing holistic pediatrics for many years. You can learn more about how to prevent and treat ADHD naturally by going to our website http://www.askdrjoseph.com
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