Laboratory and diagnostic testing in child and adolescent psychiatry: a review of the past 10 years.
OBJECTIVE
To review in a critical fashion the literature of the past decade covering diagnostic and laboratory testing in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry.


METHODS
A computerized search of articles published during the past decade was made, and selected articles are presented. Because of the paucity of articles specifically relating to minors, selected articles from adult psychiatry are cited.


RESULTS
With a few notable exceptions, few controlled studies on the specificity and sensitivity of any laboratory test for any specific disorder of behavior presenting in children have been conducted in children and adolescents. A high index of suspicion will remain the clinician's best ally in utilizing laboratory measures in the assessment of psychopathology. Nonetheless, studies have appeared that will guide the clinician as to what tests are not clinically useful.


CONCLUSIONS
Indications and the lack of indications for specific laboratory studies are an integral part of the knowledge base that child psychiatrists must have. Much more empirical data will need to be collected prospectively to inform the field and to move the judicious use of the laboratory from an art to a science.
Zametkin
A J
AJ
National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. zametkin@box-z.nih.gov
Ernst
M
M
Silver
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs