Pratibha N Reebye1, Dean Elbe. 1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia. preebye@cw.bc.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review adjunctive pharmacotherapeutic options in the management of self-regulation difficulties in young children. METHODS: Review of available literature and clinical experience pertaining to use of psychiatric medications in preschool aged children (under age 6). RESULTS: Relatively few medications are approved for use in preschool aged children. Pharmacotherapy in this age group may include melatonin for sleep disorders, psychostimulants for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), second-generation antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and alpha-agonists. Medication efficacy and adverse effects in this age group are poorly characterized and limited by lack of age-appropriate monitoring scales and published clinical experience. CONCLUSION: As an adjunctive measure, pharmacotherapy is sometimes warranted in young children who are unable to self-regulate their physiological, emotional and behavioural responses.
OBJECTIVE: To review adjunctive pharmacotherapeutic options in the management of self-regulation difficulties in young children. METHODS: Review of available literature and clinical experience pertaining to use of psychiatric medications in preschool aged children (under age 6). RESULTS: Relatively few medications are approved for use in preschool aged children. Pharmacotherapy in this age group may include melatonin for sleep disorders, psychostimulants for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), second-generation antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and alpha-agonists. Medication efficacy and adverse effects in this age group are poorly characterized and limited by lack of age-appropriate monitoring scales and published clinical experience. CONCLUSION: As an adjunctive measure, pharmacotherapy is sometimes warranted in young children who are unable to self-regulate their physiological, emotional and behavioural responses.
Entities:
Keywords:
pharmacotherapy; self-regulation; young children
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