Lack of effect of clonidine on stuttering in children.
OBJECTIVE
The authors studied the effects of the alpha 2-receptor agonist clonidine on stuttering in children.


METHODS
Using a double-blind crossover study, they gave placebo or 4 micrograms/kg body weight per day to 25 stuttering children who were 6-13 years old. Stuttering was measured by counting the occurrences of four elementary speech difficulties and by asking parents and teachers to give an overall impression of the amount of stuttering, as well as their impression of how troublesome the stuttering was to the children.


RESULTS
Clonidine did not improve stuttering.


CONCLUSIONS
Clonidine cannot be recommended as a useful drug for treating children who stutter.
Althaus
M
M
University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Vink
H J
HJ
Minderaa
R B
RB
Goorhuis-Brouwer
S M
SM
Oosterhoff
M D
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D013342:Stuttering / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003000:Clonidine