GLP-1 Prescriptions for Children Under 12 Surge Over 300-Fold, Study Finds

The prescription of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for U.S. children under the age of 12 has skyrocketed by more than 300-fold since 2019, according to a new study published on Friday in the journal *Pediatrics*. The findings highlight a dramatic acceleration in the use of these potent medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, for younger patients with obesity.

Key Findings from the Study

Researchers analyzed a national database of over 3.5 million children aged eight to 11 with obesity but not diabetes. The study found that the rate of GLP-1 drug prescriptions within this group surged from 0.03% in 2019 to 9.3% as of June.

• A total of 20,282 children received GLP-1 drugs during the study period.
• The vast majority of recipients (94%) had severe obesity.
• Approximately 65% had at least one related health condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea.

Market Context and Off-Label Use

While GLP-1 drugs are not officially approved by regulators for children under 12, the study notes that clinical guidelines permit their off-label use for obesity in children as young as eight in specific cases. The most commonly prescribed medication was Wegovy from Novo Nordisk (NVO), followed by the company's Saxenda and Zepbound from Eli Lilly (LLY).

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Dr. Babak Orandi of NYU Langone Health, the study's lead investigator, noted that while the absolute number of children receiving the treatment remains low, its use is accelerating rapidly. He emphasized that long-term safety monitoring is crucial to ensure the drugs are both safe and effective for this younger population over time.

Emerging Disparities in Access

The research also uncovered significant socioeconomic disparities in access to these treatments. According to the study, children residing in higher-income communities were 55% more likely to be prescribed a GLP-1 medication.

"Physicians and health policymakers alike have a responsibility to ensure ... these valuable and sometimes costly treatments become available to more than those who have access to health insurance and can afford to visit pediatric clinics," said Allan Massie, a co-author of the study. The data was sourced from the Epic Cosmos electronic health records database, which includes over 300 million U.S. patients.