title: Electroconvulsive therapy in adolescents with the catatonia syndrome: efficacy and ethics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In child and adolescent psychiatry, catatonia is infrequent, but it is one of the most severe syndromes, characterized by the coexistence of psychic and motor symptoms. In this report, we explore the therapeutic experience with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adolescents with catatonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the literature (1985-2009) to clarify issues related to the use of ECT in child and adolescent patients with catatonia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Electroconvulsive therapy is used as second-line management after high-dose benzodiazepine trials. Electroconvulsive therapy is an effective, safe, and useful procedure in the treatment of catatonic youngsters as reported in 59 patients. Ethical issues regarding the use of ECT are analyzed and their implications briefly discussed in the light of general medical ethics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroconvulsive therapy is a safe and effective treatment for catatonia in children and adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, APHP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, CNRS UMR 7222, Institut de Systemes Intelligents et Robotiques Paris, France.
authors.forename: Angèle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Consoli
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benmiloud
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wachtel
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dhossche
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bonnot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002389:Catatonia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines