How SSRI medications affect height growth in young people
Long-term Trajectory of SSRI-Induced Height Growth Suppression
This project looks at how antidepressant medications called SSRIs might affect height growth in children and teenagers over a longer period.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180347 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many young people take SSRI antidepressants for depression and anxiety, especially during their growth spurt years. Previous work suggests these medications, particularly sertraline and higher doses, might slow down height growth and reduce a key growth hormone marker called IGF-1. This new project aims to understand if this growth suppression continues or stops over two years. We want to learn more about how these common medications impact the long-term growth of young people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be adolescents who are currently taking or considering taking SSRI medications for depression or anxiety.
Not a fit: Patients not taking SSRI medications or those outside the adolescent age range may not directly benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help doctors and families make more informed decisions about antidepressant use in adolescents by understanding the long-term effects on height.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies by this team and others have already shown a link between SSRI use and height growth suppression in adolescents over shorter periods.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Calarge, Chadi a. — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Calarge, Chadi a.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.