In Brief: Second-generation antipsychotics cause weight gain in youths

Second-generation antipsychotics cause significant weight gain in adults. Now the same problem has been reported in a study of children and adolescents.

Researchers at the North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health System followed 205 patients, ages 4 to 19, who were treated with a second-generation antipsychotic for at least 12 weeks. A comparison group consisted of similar children who did not take medication.