Treatment of catatonia with electroconvulsive therapy in an 11-year-old girl.
OBJECTIVE
To report the case of an 11-year-old girl who presented with acute onset of psychotic symptoms with catatonic features treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).


METHODS
Described herein is the case of an 11-year-old, prepubertal girl who represented with catatonic symptoms unresponsive to conventional medical treatment. After thorough clinical investigation and obtaining a second opinion we gained consent from her parents to perform ECT as a life saving procedure.


RESULTS
Six ECT treatments were administered with clinical improvement, the patient did develop hypomanic symptoms as a side-affect of ECT.


CONCLUSIONS
The patient exhibited potentially life-threatening self-harming behaviour secondary to catatonic and psychotic symptoms. Her behaviour and symptoms responded to ECT. The patient developed hypomania that responded to mood stabilization. ECT was a safe and effective treatment for catatonia in this prepubescent girl.
Chung
Alfred
A
Child and Family Therapy Unit, Royal Children's Hospital and Health Service District, Royal Children's Hospital Brisbane, Herston, Qld, Australia. alfred_chung@health.qld.gov.au
Varghese
John
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002389:Catatonia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D000077152:Olanzapine
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine