Predictors of side effects associated with lithium administration in children.

Abstract

Data were pooled from three controlled and double-blind studies of lithium carbonate involving a total of 48 hospitalized children, and secondary data analyses were conducted. The objective was to assess whether there is a relationship between a child's chronological age and side effects associated with lithium administration. Two dependent measures of side effects were investigated: number of side effects per child and number of episodes of side effects per child. The children were diagnosed as having conduct disorder with a profile of severe aggressive and explosive behavior; their ages ranged from 5.08 to 12.92 yrs (mean, 9.23 yrs). For the entire sample of 48 children, the effect of age on side effects was statistically significant (p = .057); younger children had more side effects than older children. This relationship continued to hold after adjustment for weight, serum lithium levels, optimal dose, and duration of optimal dose.

• Authors: M Campbell, R R Silva, V Kafantaris, J J Locascio, N M Gonzalez, D Lee, N S Lynch
• Journal: Psychopharmacology bulletin (Psychopharmacol Bull) Vol. 27 Issue 3 Pg. 373-80 ( 1991) ISSN: 0048-5764 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1775612 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Lithium

Topics

• Child
• Child Behavior Disorders (drug therapy, psychology)
• Child, Preschool
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Lithium (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male