While weight gain is a known possible side effect of new antipsychotics in adults, a new study finds a similar relation in children and teens.

According to the study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, children and teens taking such drugs for treating conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, aggressive behavior and even autism are more vulnerable to weight gain than adults.

The study showed taking Abilify was associated with an average of 4.4 kg, Risperdal with 3.5 kg, Seroquel with 6.1 kg, and Zyprexa with nearly 8.5 kg weight gain in children and teens using the drugs for about 11 weeks.

Children who took Zyprexa were reported to have the most dramatic weight gain and the biggest changes in metabolic factors such as blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides, all of which could place the individual at an increased risk of heart problems and diabetes.

Abilify, an antipsychotic not linked with weight gain in adults, contributed to minor weight gain in the absence of any increase in cholesterol or blood sugar levels.

Scientists concluded that one third of children and adolescents who took common antipsychotic drugs for the first time become overweight or obese in as little as 11 weeks.

They therefore urged physicians to monitor these children for cardiometabolic changes in the first three months of treatment.

PKH/HGH