Weight gain is a known possible side effect of the drugs prescribed for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia but also increasingly for autism, attention-deficit disorders, and other problems. The new study in mostly older children and teens suggests they may be more vulnerable to weight gain than adults.

The study also linked some of these drugs with worrisome increases in blood fats including cholesterol, also seen in adults. Researchers tie these changes to weight gain and worry that both may make children more prone to heart problems in adulthood.

The research is the largest in children who had just started taking these drugs, and gives strong evidence suggesting the drugs caused the side effects, said lead author Christoph Correll of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.

The study authors said their results showed that children on the drugs should be closely monitored for weight gain and other side effects and that when possible, other drugs should be tried first.

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