Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia.

Abstract

This Practice Parameter reviews the literature on the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with schizophrenia. Early-onset schizophrenia is diagnosed using the same criteria as in adults and appears to be continuous with the adult form of the disorder. Clinical standards suggest that effective treatment includes antipsychotic medications combined with psychoeducational, psychotherapeutic, and educational interventions. Since this Practice Parameter was last published in 2001, several controlled trials of atypical antipsychotic agents for early-onset schizophrenia have been conducted. However, studies suggest that many youth with early-onset schizophrenia do not respond adequately to available agents and are vulnerable to adverse events, particularly metabolic side effects. Further research is needed to develop more effective and safer treatments.

• Authors: Jon McClellan, Saundra Stock, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Committee on Quality Issues (CQI)
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry) Vol. 52 Issue 9 Pg. 976-90 (Sep 2013) ISSN: 1527-5418 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23972700 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents

Topics

• Adolescent
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Early Diagnosis
• Humans
• Patient Education as Topic
• Practice Patterns, Physicians'
• Psychotherapy
• Schizophrenia (diagnosis, therapy)
• Schizophrenic Psychology
• Treatment Outcome
• United States