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Study links Ritalin use to later depression (Dec. 2004) - A Harvard Medical School study indicated that pre-adolescent rats given popular ADHD drug Ritalin are more likely to show signs of depression as adults. The study indicates that Ritalin might have unintended effects on a developing brain. It also underscores the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study's findings were presented at a meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in Puerto Rico.

Four popular antidepressants said to be unsafe and ineffective (April 2004) - An April 2004 British analysis of available data indicated that four popular antidepressants used to treat American children for depression might actually be unsafe and/or ineffective in treating that disorder. The four are Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor and Celexa. The findings of the analysis, published in The Lancet, found an increased incidence of suicide among children taking these drugs. The analysis also indicated that the drugs are not as effective for depression as previously suggested by others. In 2003, Britain banned use of Paxil for depression in children, and the FDA also issued a recommendation against using it for that purpose.

Ritalin might stunt children's growth (April 2004) - An April 2004 study indicated that stimulants like Ritalin may stunt children's growth. The study, led by University of California at Berkeley researcher Stephen Hinshaw and published in the April 2004 issue of Pediatrics, did not address whether that effect is permanent. Weight loss is another known potential side effect from long-term stimulant use.

Children used as soldiers on "massive scale" (Nov., 2003) - A report from the United Nations says that, despite efforts to halt the practice, children continue to be used on a "massive scale" as soldiers. The report cited 22 groups and 15 places where minors fight in armed conflicts. Cited as the worst offenders were Burundi, Columbia, Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Myanmar, Sudan, Uganda, Afghanistan, Nepal, Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Russia's Chechen Republic, Somali and Sri Lanka.

Report: Medical errors kill more than 32,000 annually (Oct., 2003) - According to a study of 18 known complications sometimes caused by medical error, these complications lead to more than 32,000 hospital deaths and more than $9 billion in extra costs annually. Complications studied included postoperative infections, objects left inside the body and surgical incisions accidentally re-opening. The study was conducted by researchers from the U.S. government's Agency for Healthcare Research who analyzed data from 2000 on 994 hospitals nationwide. The researchers indicated, however, that even these numbers might be conservative. Their report follows an Institute of Medicine study from 1999 that suggests medical errors kill from 44,000 to 98,000 Americans per year.

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