Use of clozapine in a child with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Schizophrenia can be diagnosed in adults and requires treatment with antipsychotic medication. Clozapine is used effectively in adults with treatment-resistant schizophrenia but little is published on the use of clozapine in children.

METHOD:

Supported by parental consent and a second opinion, standardised observations were used to chart the progress of treatment with clozapine in a child in-patient detained under mental health legislation with severe drug-resistant schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia.

RESULTS:

Sixteen months of clozapine treatment led to significant reduction of symptomatology with marked improvement in social functioning and diminished tardive dyskinesia.

CONCLUSIONS:

This case illustrates the successful use of clozapine in treatment-resistant childhood schizophrenia.

• Authors: T H MacEwan, M J Morton
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 168 Issue 3 Pg. 376-8 (Mar 1996) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 8833696 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Clozapine

Topics

• Antipsychotic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Clozapine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)