Use of risperidone in a paediatric population: an observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of risperidone on functional impairment in a paediatric sample and to document the range of adverse drug reactions.


METHODS
Risperidone treatment in children and adolescents (n = 51) with severe behavioural disturbances was assessed retrospectively to determine clinical response and adverse events. The change in patient functional performance during treatment was assessed using the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children Measure of Function (MOF) score. Changes in target behaviours (such as severe aggression) were also assessed.


RESULTS
The average duration of follow up was 9 months. Clinical improvement was demonstrated in 76% of the sample. There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean MOF with risperidone therapy (10.61 with 99% confidence interval 6.6-14.6). Risperidone appeared to be particularly useful in patients with autistic spectrum disorders. Twenty-five of the 51 patients (49%) experienced side-effects including sedation (27%), weight gain (20%), anticholinergic (10%) and extrapyramidal (8%) side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that risperidone is an effective agent in severely behaviourally disturbed paediatric patients. However, risperidone use is limited by the high frequency of side-effects. Randomized controlled trial data are required to determine the safety and efficacy of risperidone.
King
B
B
Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
Zwi
K
K
Nunn
K
K
Longworth
J
J
Dossetor
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018967:Risperidone