Cyproheptadine and Growth

Sir. —It is well known that cyproheptadine hydrochloride (an antihistamine with serotonin-antagonistic activity) has an appetite-stimulating effect and promotes weight gain. 1, 2 However, its effect in promoting linear growth in association with weight gain often seems to be overlooked although it has been documented. 3-5 We therefore wish to report our observations during 29 months of cyproheptadine administration in a small-for-gestational-age female infant to reemphasize the usefulness of this low-cost drug therapy for growth enhancement. Patient Report. —A 4-year-old girl had been born normally to a 28-year-old woman after a 40-week gestational period. The infant's birth weight had been 2.32 kg ( At the age of 1