A study published in JAMA (2009) examined the cardiometabolic risks of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in children and adolescents. The study followed 505 youth with no prior antipsychotic exposure, finding significant weight gain and metabolic changes with all four SGAs—olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and aripiprazole. Olanzapine caused the most weight gain (19.0 lbs) and significant increases in cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin resistance. Quetiapine also led to notable metabolic changes, while aripiprazole and comparison subjects showed minimal effects. Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia were relatively rare, but insulin resistance and weight gain were common. The study highlights the need for regular cardiometabolic monitoring in pediatric patients using SGAs, as these medications are increasingly prescribed for mental health conditions in children and adolescents. The findings suggest that weight gain and metabolic changes vary among SGAs, with olanzapine having the most pronounced effects. The study underscores the importance of balancing the benefits of SGAs with their potential cardiometabolic risks, especially in young patients.A study published in JAMA (2009) examined the cardiometabolic risks of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in children and adolescents. The study followed 505 youth with no prior antipsychotic exposure, finding significant weight gain and metabolic changes with all four SGAs—olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and aripiprazole. Olanzapine caused the most weight gain (19.0 lbs) and significant increases in cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin resistance. Quetiapine also led to notable metabolic changes, while aripiprazole and comparison subjects showed minimal effects. Metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia were relatively rare, but insulin resistance and weight gain were common. The study highlights the need for regular cardiometabolic monitoring in pediatric patients using SGAs, as these medications are increasingly prescribed for mental health conditions in children and adolescents. The findings suggest that weight gain and metabolic changes vary among SGAs, with olanzapine having the most pronounced effects. The study underscores the importance of balancing the benefits of SGAs with their potential cardiometabolic risks, especially in young patients.