title: A systematic review of medical treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As many as 1 in every 110 children in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many medical treatments for ASDs have been proposed and studied, but there is currently no consensus regarding which interventions are most effective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To systematically review evidence regarding medical treatments for children aged 12 years and younger with ASDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched the Medline, PsycInfo, and ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) databases from 2000 to May 2010, regulatory data for approved medications, and reference lists of included articles. Two reviewers independently assessed each study against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Studies of secretin were not included in this review. Two reviewers independently extracted data regarding participant and intervention characteristics, assessment techniques, and outcomes and assigned overall quality and strength-of-evidence ratings on the basis of predetermined criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence supports the benefit of risperidone and aripiprazole for challenging and repetitive behaviors in children with ASDs. Evidence also supports significant adverse effects of these medications. Insufficient strength of evidence is present to evaluate the benefits or adverse effects for any other medical treatments for ASDs, including serotonin-reuptake inhibitors and stimulant medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although many children with ASDs are currently treated with medical interventions, strikingly little evidence exists to support benefit for most treatments. Risperidone and aripiprazole have shown benefit for challenging and repetitive behaviors, but associated adverse effects limit their use to patients with severe impairment or risk of injury.
authors.affiliation: 465 21st Ave S, 7158 Medical Research Building III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: McPheeters
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Nila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sathe
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bruzek
authors.forename: Shanthi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishnaswami
authors.forename: Rebecca N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Jerome
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Veenstra-Vanderweele
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011379:Prognosis; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D005473:Fluoxetine; D015283:Citalopram; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D018967:Risperidone