OBJECTIVE: To characterize the adverse effects of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) started in children under age 7 yr. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records for all children who had begun treatment with an SSRI under age 7 at an academic psychiatry department in Boston. RESULTS: Thirty-nine children (26 males, 13 females) met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at start of treatment was 5.9 +/- 0.8 yr, and median treatment duration was 5.0 months. The target diagnoses for SSRI treatment were anxiety disorders in 54%, depressive disorders in 23%, and both anxiety and depressive disorders in 20% of patients. There were no reports of suicidal ideation or attempt. No children were medically or psychiatrically hospitalized for adverse effects (AEs). Eleven patients (28%) reported an AE of at least moderate severity; 7 (18%) discontinued the SSRI due to the AE. Six patients discontinued due to behavioral activation and 1 due to gastrointestinal upset. The median time to onset of an AE was 23 days, and median resolution was 19 days from onset. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of adverse effects, especially activation, in this sample argues for continued caution in using SSRIs in young children. Controlled trials are warranted.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the adverse effects of treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) started in children under age 7 yr. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records for all children who had begun treatment with an SSRI under age 7 at an academic psychiatry department in Boston. RESULTS: Thirty-nine children (26 males, 13 females) met the inclusion criteria. Mean age at start of treatment was 5.9 +/- 0.8 yr, and median treatment duration was 5.0 months. The target diagnoses for SSRI treatment were anxiety disorders in 54%, depressive disorders in 23%, and both anxiety and depressive disorders in 20% of patients. There were no reports of suicidal ideation or attempt. No children were medically or psychiatrically hospitalized for adverse effects (AEs). Eleven patients (28%) reported an AE of at least moderate severity; 7 (18%) discontinued the SSRI due to the AE. Six patients discontinued due to behavioral activation and 1 due to gastrointestinal upset. The median time to onset of an AE was 23 days, and median resolution was 19 days from onset. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of adverse effects, especially activation, in this sample argues for continued caution in using SSRIs in young children. Controlled trials are warranted.
Authors: Marissa J Luft; Martine Lamy; Melissa P DelBello; Robert K McNamara; Jeffrey R Strawn Journal: Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care Date: 2018-01-19
Authors: Duncan C Honeycutt; Melissa P DelBello; Jeffrey R Strawn; Laura B Ramsey; Luis R Patino; Kyle Hinman; Jeffrey Welge; David J Miklowitz; Booil Jo; Thomas J Blom; Kaitlyn M Bruns; Sarah K Hamill Skoch; Nicole Starace; Maxwell J Tallman; Manpreet K Singh Journal: J Pers Med Date: 2022-06-20
Authors: Jaswinder K Ghuman; Michael G Aman; Harinder S Ghuman; Thomas Reichenbacher; Alan Gelenberg; Ron Wright; Sydney Rice; Carolyn Fort Journal: J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 2.576
Authors: Jeffrey R Strawn; Ethan A Poweleit; Jeffrey A Mills; Heidi K Schroeder; Zoe A Neptune; Ashley M Specht; Jenni E Farrow; Xue Zhang; Lisa J Martin; Laura B Ramsey Journal: J Pers Med Date: 2021-11-12