For years, families and healthcare providers have wondered whether isotretinoin (commonly known by brand names like Accutane) could affect growth in children and teens. This concern has been especially important for young people taking isotretinoin to manage severe skin conditions, including some forms of ichthyosis.
A new study published in the journal JAMA Dermatology offers reassuring news: researchers found no evidence that isotretinoin treatment during adolescence reduces adult height.
What did the researchers study?
Researchers in Denmark looked at health records from more than 379,000 adolescents and young adults who had acne and tracked whether treatment with isotretinoin affected how tall they became as adults. The study included both males and females and compared people who took isotretinoin to those who used other acne treatments or no prescription treatment. (European Medical Journal)
The researchers also looked closely at:
Age when treatment started
How much isotretinoin was taken over time
Whether treatment increased the risk of stunted growth (Practical Dermatology)
What did they find?
The good news is that adult height was not meaningfully different in people who took isotretinoin during adolescence. Any differences in height were extremely small — measured in fractions of a centimeter — and considered medically insignificant. Researchers also found no increased risk of stunted growth, even when looking at different ages of treatment or higher cumulative doses. (European Medical Journal)
Why is this important?
Isotretinoin is sometimes used to help manage symptoms in certain forms of ichthyosis, but concerns about possible effects on growing bones have caused understandable worry for families.
This study adds to growing evidence suggesting that while isotretinoin may temporarily slow growth rate in some adolescents, it does not appear to affect final adult height. Earlier studies found similar results, showing no meaningful differences in adult height among teens treated with isotretinoin. (PubMed)
What should families know?
Every person’s medical situation is unique. Decisions about isotretinoin treatment should always be made with a knowledgeable healthcare provider who understands your child’s diagnosis, growth, and overall health.
However, this new research may offer reassurance to families weighing the benefits and risks of isotretinoin treatment. For many, the findings suggest that concerns about reduced adult height may be less of a worry than once thought. (JAMA Network)
DATE: 06/15/2026
