Study Finds Nutritional Deficiencies in Pediatric GLP-1 Medication Users

The study emphasizes the importance of nutrition during periods of rapid growth. According to Justin Ryder, PhD, the senior author and Vice Chair of Research at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, deficiencies in nutrients such as vitamin D, iron, and calcium can significantly impact skeletal health and overall development during adolescence. He noted, "As appropriate pediatric use of GLP-1s becomes more widespread, we need to understand the risks during periods of rapid growth and pubertal development."

Adolescence requires substantial nutritional support for bone growth and physical development, making proper nutritional monitoring particularly crucial for children on GLP-1 medications, which can influence appetite and food intake. Dr. Ryder pointed out that only 5% of patients received nutritional counseling within 30 days of starting GLP-1 treatment, with less than 25% receiving it within six months.

To assess the issue, Ryder and fellow researchers analyzed national administrative claims data from 2017 to 2022, focusing on over 2,000 children aged 10 to 17 who had not been previously diagnosed with nutritional deficiencies. Among those studied, liraglutide (Victoza and Saxenda) was the most frequently prescribed GLP-1, accounting for 78.6% of prescriptions, while dulaglutide (Trulicity) and semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) accounted for 10.4% and 9.1%, respectively.

The findings indicate a need for nutritional care to commence alongside GLP-1 treatment rather than only in response to deficiencies. Dr. Ryder stressed, "We hope that our study findings bring much needed recognition to the importance of proactive nutritional management when GLP-1s are prescribed to children, as opposed to waiting until a nutritional deficiency is diagnosed." The research underscores the critical role of early nutritional support during this vital stage of growth.