[Electroconvulsive therapy in the adolescent: clinical considerations apropos of a series of cases].
OBJECTIVE
To report on observations of 6 adolescents treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and to compare the data with literature data.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of our division charts of adolescents treated with ECT and hospitalized in the last 20 years. We also undertook a computer search in several databases (including Medline) to identify the reported observations on this treatment.


RESULTS
We studied the charts of 6 adolescents aged 14 to 16 years. There were 3 cases of major depressive disorder (including 1 case of delusion of negation), 2 cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and 1 case of schizoaffective disorder with catatonic characteristics. Four adolescents received ECT as a first-line treatment. They were given an average of 9 ECT, which was judged to be efficacious. Tolerance was adequate, and in this series, ECT does not seem to have caused alterations to long-term cognitive functions. No relapse was noted after a minimum of one-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
For some severe psychiatric disorders in adolescents, ECT could be a treatment with a good efficacy and tolerance profile.
Etain
B
B
Service de psychopathologie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, Hôpital Robert Debré, 48 boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France.
Le Heuzey
M F
MF
Mouren-Simeoni
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome