Antipsychotic-related abnormal involuntary movements and metabolic and endocrine side effects in children and adolescents.
There has been a remarkable increase in prescription rates of antipsychotics in children and adolescents in recent years. Their side effects are a neglected area of research in this population, despite its vulnerability. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the presence of side effects in 60 children and adolescents who had taken antipsychotic medication for less than 1 month and 66 who had been receiving treatment with antipsychotics for more than 12 months. Mean age for the total sample was 15.62 years (SD 1.85). Groups did not differ in age, gender, or diagnosis. A total of 21.7% of short-term treatment group patients and 37.9% of longer-term treatment group patients presented mild dyskinetic movements (p = 0.004). Hyperprolactinemia was present in 78.6% and 48.5% in the short-term and longer-term treatment groups, respectively. Body mass index (p < 0.001), cholesterol levels (p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (p = 0.018) were higher in the longer-term treatment group. The use of these drugs in these populations merits careful scrutiny.
Laita
Paula
P
Adolescent Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
Cifuentes
Alicia
A
Doll
Aurora
A
Llorente
Cloe
C
Cortés
Irene
I
Parellada
Mara
M
Moreno
Dolores
D
Ruiz-Sancho
Ana
A
Graell
Montserrat
M
Arango
Celso
C
D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors