Lithium in hospitalized children at 4 and 8 weeks: mood, behavior and cognitive effects.
Eleven psychiatrically hospitalized children were treated with lithium carbonate for a minimum of 8 weeks. Based on literature review, their psychopathology, diagnoses and family history suggested they would be positive lithium responders. Weekly ratings in behavioral domains showed children's improvement in areas of self control, aggression and irritability, more obvious at 8 than 4 weeks. However, of seven children studied with double blind crossover, improvement behaviorally and cognitively was maintained on placebo. Only three of 11 children improved enough to be discharged on lithium. Implications of lithium's anti-aggressive and anti-manic effects in children are discussed.
Carlson
G A
GA
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794-8790.
Rapport
M D
MD
Pataki
C S
CS
Kelly
K L
KL
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010919:Placebos; D013997:Time Factors
D010919:Placebos; D008094:Lithium