title: Aripiprazole in the treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder: a systematic chart review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pediatric bipolar disorder is a serious neuropsychiatric disorder associated with high levels of morbidity and disability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This is a systematic chart review of all outpatient youth with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and bipolar spectrum disorder treated with aripiprazole either alone or as add-on to ongoing treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records were reviewed to identify all subjects with bipolar and bipolar spectrum disorder prescribed aripiprazole in our clinic. During the chart review, the Clinical Global Impression scale was completed by the treating clinicians to determine usefulness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-one youths (mean age+/-SD: 11.4+/-3.5 years) with bipolar spectrum disorder who had been treated with aripiprazole were identified. These children received a mean daily dose of aripiprazole 16.0+/-7.9 mg over an average of 4.6 months. Using a Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale score of <2 (very much/much improved) to define robust improvement, 71% showed improvement in manic symptoms. Treatment with aripiprazole was well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that aripiprazole may be a useful and well-tolerated treatment for youth with bipolar disorder and it supports the need for controlled clinical trials of this compound in juvenile mania.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Psychopharmacology Research Office, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jbiederman@partners.org
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biederman
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wozniak
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aleardi
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Falzone
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole