Psychopharmacological treatment for very young children: contexts and guidelines.
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.
Gleason
Mary Margaret
MM
Bradley Hasbro Research Center, Providence, RI 02903, USA. mgleason@lifespan.org
Egger
Helen Link
HL
Emslie
Graham J
GJ
Greenhill
Laurence L
LL
Kowatch
Robert A
RA
Lieberman
Alicia F
AF
Luby
Joan L
JL
Owens
Judith
J
Scahill
Lawrence D
LD
Scheeringa
Michael S
MS
Stafford
Brian
B
Wise
Brian
B
Zeanah
Charles H
CH
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
D000662:Amphetamines; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D018967:Risperidone