title: Prolactin variations during risperidone therapy in a sample of drug-naive children and adolescents.
abstract: The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate the variations of serum prolactin hormone (PRL) in a sample of 34 drug-naive patients (mean age 13 years) who started risperidone therapy assuming that several factors may favor the increase in serum PRL. Serum PRL and hyperprolactinemia clinical signs were examined at baseline (T0) and after almost 3 months of treatment (T1). We considered sex, pubertal status, risperidone dosage, psychiatric diagnosis, and any personal/family history of autoimmune diseases. The mean serum PRL value increased between T0 and T1 (P=0.004). The mean serum PRL was higher in females in the pubertal/postpubertal stage and for risperidone dosage up 1 mg/day. Hyperprolactinemia was found in 20% of patients at T0 and in 38% of patients at T1 (P=0.03). The mean serum PRL increase was greater in early-onset schizophrenia spectrum psychosis patients compared with no-early-onset schizophrenia spectrum psychosis patients (P=0.04). The increase in PRL was higher in patients with a personal and a family history of autoimmune diseases. This study suggests that the increase in serum PRL in patients treated with risperidone may be linked not only to the drug and its dosage but also to several risk factors such as sex, pubertal stage, psychiatric disease, and autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: aChild Neuropsychiatry Unit bPsychiatry Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs cDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica 'A. Murri', University of 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Margari
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matera
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Petruzzelli
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simone
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lamanna
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: Vincenzo O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Margari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011388:Prolactin; D018967:Risperidone