Increased Risk of Obesity and Metabolic Dysregulation Following 12 Months of Second-Generation Antipsychotic Treatment in Children: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: To determine the risk of developing obesity and related metabolic complications in children following long-term treatment with risperidone or quetiapine. Methods: This was a 1-year naturalistic longitudinal study conducted between February 2009 and March 2012. A total of 130 children aged 2 to 18 years without prior exposure to second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) were enrolled at initiation of treatment with either risperidone or quetiapine. Metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and months 6 and 12. Data of 37 participants (20 treated with risperidone and 17 treated with quetiapine) who completed 12-month monitoring were used in the analysis. Results: After 1 year of SGA treatment, mean weight increased significantly by 10.8 kg (95% CI 7.9 kg to 13.7 kg) for risperidone and 9.7 kg (95% CI 6.5 kg to 12.8 kg) for quetiapine. Body mass index z score also increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.001). There was a high incidence of children becoming overweight or obese (6/15 [40.0%] for risperidone-treated and 7/14 [50.0%] for quetiapine-treated). The mean levels of fasting glucose (for risperidone-treated) and ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (for quetiapine-treated) increased significantly by 0.23 mmol/L (95% CI 0.03 mmol/L to 0.42 mmol/L) and 0.48 mmol/L (95% CI 0.15 mmol/L to 0.80 mmol/L), respectively. Conclusion: Children treated with risperidone or quetiapine are at a significant risk for developing obesity, elevated waist circumference, and dyslipidemia during 12 months of treatment. These data emphasize the importance of regular monitoring for early identification and treatment of metabolic side effects.