Low-dose fluvoxamine treatment of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders: a prospective, open-label study.
The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose fluvoxamine (1.5 mg/kg/day) in youngsters with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). This was a prospective, open-label trial that included 18 subjects with a mean age of 11.3 +/- 3.6 years. Fourteen children (78%) completed the 10-week study. Premature discontinuation due to behavioral activation occurred in three participants. Although there was no response for the group as a whole, eight subjects (including all four females) were considered at least partial responders in intent-to-treat analyses. Neither pubertal status nor serotonin levels predicted clinical response. Fluvoxamine can be beneficial in the treatment of select children and adolescents with PDDs. Gender differences in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) response warrant further investigation.
Martin
Andrés
A
Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-7900, USA. Andres.Martin@Yale.Edu
Koenig
Kathleen
K
Anderson
George M
GM
Scahill
Lawrence
L
D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016666:Fluvoxamine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors