Prepubertal bipolar disorder: available pharmacological treatment options.

Awareness of bipolar spectrum disorders in children is rapidly increasing, with a more precise definition of their clinical subtypes and early signs. Paediatric bipolar disorder can lead to an important impairment in scholastic, familial and social functioning, and to a higher risk for substance abuse and suicide. In the context of a multimodal approach, the core treatment of early-onset bipolar disorder is pharmacological. This review focuses on the empirical evidence for pharmacotherapy in paediatric bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers, including lithium, and older and newer anticonvulsivants will be considered, in mono- or polypharmacy. Atypical antipsychotics will be considered in more severe and/or treatment-resistant manic or mixed episodes. Finally, the prophylaxis of intercritical phases and the management of specific challenging conditions, such as bipolar depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with bipolar comorbidity, will be reviewed.