# Long-term Trajectory of SSRI-Induced Height Growth Suppression

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $707,858

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Adolescence is most strikingly characterized by the pubertal growth spurt. It is also a time when the
prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders increases dramatically, a fact reflected in the widespread use of
antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In fact, antidepressants comprise
the second to third most commonly prescribed medication class in this age group.
 We and others have found that SSRIs are associated with height growth suppression in adolescents. This
was particularly true in boys undergoing puberty. To build on these findings, we recently completed another
study (R21HD097776) of children and adolescents undergoing puberty and starting treatment with one of two
commonly prescribed SSRIs, sertraline and fluoxetine. We again found that, over the 6-month follow-up period,
the higher the SSRI dose, the more significant height growth suppression was. In fact, SSRI use reduced growth
by about 50% of that observed in unmedicated participants. Notably, sertraline was associated with the most
significant deleterious effect on height. Moreover, the higher the SSRI dose, the lower the serum concentration
level of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), the principal marker of growth hormone (GH) neurosecretory function.
 To better characterize the clinical implications of these findings, we now propose to 1) determine whether
the suppression of height growth and IGF-1 plateaus or continues unabated over the course of a 2-year follow-
up, 2) whether differences between the 4 most prescribed SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram, and
escitalopram) exist, and 3) whether SSRI treatment merely slows growth down or, rather, stunts it, thus reducing
anticipated adult height. The latter will be evaluated using serial assessments of bone age.
 In sum, the proposed study will be the first to investigate the magnitude of height growth suppression induced
by SSRIs, its clinical predictors, and its long-term sequelae, shedding light on a currently little-recognized side
effect of a widely and increasingly used medication class. The information will be critical to informing clinical
decision making.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10944071
- **Project number:** 1R01HD115645-01
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Chadi A. Calarge
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $707,858
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10944071

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10944071, Long-term Trajectory of SSRI-Induced Height Growth Suppression (1R01HD115645-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10944071. Licensed CC0.

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