New developments in diagnosis and treatment update: Schizophrenia/first episode psychosis in children and adolescents.
Childhood onset schizophrenia (COS) is diagnosed before the age of 13 years, and early onset schizophrenia (EOS) is diagnosed before the age of 18 years. EOS is considered extremely rare and its prevalence in comparison to the worldwide prevalence of schizophrenia (1%) has not adequately been studied. Patients who experience the first episode of psychosis need to be treated early and optimally to lessen the morbidity and improve the outcome of the illness. Treatment needs to be a combination of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities. Pharmacological intervention is necessary for remission, improvement of positive symptoms and to aid with the efficacy of psychosocial interventions. There is a lack of efficacy and safety data of the use of antipsychotic medication in children, with most of the information available being extrapolations of adult data. An increased use of atypical antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of EOS has been accompanied by growing concern about the appropriate use and associated side effects in children and adolescents. This update highlights new developments, concepts and treatment trends in EOS.
a Department of Psychiatry , Stellenbosch University , Tygerberg Campus, Parow , South Africa . Author's email: anusha@sun.ac.za.
Anusha
A
Lachman
D050842:1-Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Dehydrogenase / Q000172:deficiency; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D000592:Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000139:chemically induced; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D011394:Proline Oxidase / Q000172:deficiency; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D050842:1-Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Dehydrogenase; D011394:Proline Oxidase