The effect of sympathomimetic medication on cardiovascular functioning of children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder

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Authors

Negrao, Bianca Lee
Crafford, Dalene
Viljoen, Margaretha

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Clinics Cardiv

Abstract

OBJECTIVE : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sympathomimetic medication on the cardiovascular system of children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS : Cardiovascular functioning of children with ADHD (n = 19) was tested while the children were stimulant free and during a period in which they were on stimulant medication. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were obtained by means of a Schiller CardioLaptop AT-110 ECG recorder using the standard 12-lead cable positioning for a resting ECG. Blood pressure was measured by means of a stethoscope and mercury sphygmomanometer. RESULTS : The main findings of this study were that methylphenidate usage is associated with increases in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), and that it does not adversely affect HR-corrected QT and JT intervals or cardiac dispersion values. CONCLUSION : Methylphenidate causes an increase in HR as well as increases in both systolic and diastolic BP, but no change in cardiac depolarisation and repolarisation duration or homogeneity.

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Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Negrao, BL, Crafford, D & Viljoen, M 2009, 'The effect of sympathomimetic medication on cardiovascular functioning of children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder', Cardiovascular Journal of Africa, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 296-299. [http://www.cvjsa.co.za]