Lipitor, also known as atorvastatin, is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. The drug works by blocking an enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol [1]. While the medication is generally considered safe for adults, the effects of Lipitor on children's growth and development have been a topic of concern.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology analyzed the effects of atorvastatin on growth and puberty in children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) [2]. The study found that atorvastatin did not have a significant effect on growth or puberty in children with FH. However, the study did acknowledge that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of atorvastatin on children's growth and development.

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that atorvastatin did not have a significant effect on bone mineral density (BMD) in children with FH [3]. However, the study did note that children with FH had lower BMD compared to children without FH, which could be due to the genetic condition rather than the medication.

Overall, while the available research suggests that atorvastatin does not have a significant effect on growth and development in children with FH, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of the medication on children's health.

Sources:
[1] DrugPatentWatch. Lipitor. https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR. Accessed 27 Oct. 2021.
[2] Avis, H. J., et al. "Atorvastatin does not affect growth, puberty, or adrenal function in familial hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial." Journal of Clinical Lipidology, vol. 5, no. 1, 2011, pp. 26-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2010.11.001.
[3] Vuorio, A., et al. "Atorvastatin does not affect growth, bone metabolism, or the GH–IGF-1 axis in pubertal children with familial hypercholesterolemia: a 3-year randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 101, no. 1, 2016, pp. 290-297. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-2924.