title: Psychopharmacological treatment for very young children: contexts and guidelines.
abstract: Systematic research and practice guidelines addressing preschool psychopharmacological treatment in very young children are limited, despite evidence of increasing clinical use of medications in this population. The Preschool Psychopharmacology Working Group (PPWG) was developed to review existing literature relevant to preschool psychopharmacology treatment and to develop treatment recommendations to guide clinicians considering psychopharmacological treatment in very young children. This article reviews the developmental considerations related to preschool psychopharmacological treatment, presents current evidence bases for specific disorders in early childhood, and describes the recommended algorithms for medication use. The purpose of this effort is to promote responsible treatment of young children, recognizing that this will sometimes involve the use of medications.
authors.affiliation: Bradley Hasbro Research Center, Providence, RI 02903, USA. mgleason@lifespan.org
authors.forename: Mary Margaret
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gleason
authors.forename: Helen Link
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.forename: Graham J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Emslie
authors.forename: Laurence L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Greenhill
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kowatch
authors.forename: Alicia F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: Joan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Luby
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Lawrence D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Scahill
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Scheeringa
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wise
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zeanah
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002665:Child Psychiatry / Q000592:standards*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011600:Psychopharmacology / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D018967:Risperidone