title: The use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents with bipolar disorders.
abstract: The use of antipsychotics, particularly the atypical antipsychotics, has increased dramatically in child and adolescent populations over the last decade. This class of psychotropics has been used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders in pediatric populations, including bipolar disorder (BPD). The present clinical guidelines for treating BPD in younger populations closely follow those for managing adult BPD, as reasoning for using the atypicals is many times initially based on the outcomes of adult studies and indications. As in adult populations, metabolic parameters such as body mass index, blood glucose levels and fasting lipid profiles should be routinely monitored throughout the course of treatment. Of the several studies undertaken thus far, it appears that atypical antipsychotics are efficacious in the treatment of pediatric BPD. However, the number of controlled studies demonstrating their efficacy in younger subjects is limited and further investigation is required to evaluate if effectiveness and potential for side effects differ significantly than that for adult populations.
authors.affiliation: The University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, MSB 7261, PO Box 670559, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0559, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pfeifer
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kowatch
authors.forename: Melissa P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: DelBello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents