Delayed Puberty?
Q:
"My husband and I each went through puberty at age 12, but our 13-year-old son shows no sign of it yet. He takes Wellbutrin and a short-acting stimulant for ADHD. Can these drugs delay puberty?"
A:
Neither Wellbutrin nor stimulant medications are known to delay the onset of puberty, and there's nothing unusual about a pre-pubescent 13-year-old. Discuss your concerns with your son's physician. One option is to request that certain bone-growth sites be X-rayed or hormonal levels be checked. If they are normal, just relax and wait. If you are truly concerned, consult a pediatric endocrinologist.
Larry Silver, M.D., is the author of Dr. Larry Silver's Advice to Parents on AD/HD and The Misunderstood Child: Understanding and Coping with Your Child's Learning Disabilities. He is also a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
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