Abstract
Objective:
Although there is no specfc treatment for the core features of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), some of the behavioral symptoms may be treated pharmacologically. Pharmacotherapy is used in the treatment of 25-50% PDD children with symptoms such as social withdrawal, hyperactivity, aggression, and stereotypies. The aim of this study is to determine the profiles of psychotropic medication use in children with PDDs.
Method:
Children with PDD who were referred to Hacettepe University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic between 2004-2005 (n=97) were reviewed retrospectively.
Results:
Psychotropic medication was used in 41, 2% (n=40) of the children. Hyperactivity was the most common (28,9%, n=28) complaint accompanying PDD symptoms who were taking psychotropic medication. Atypical antipsychotics (34,0%, n=33) were the most preferred drugs. Patients taking psychotropic medication were older than the children who were not taking psychotropic medication (t= 2,573, df = 71,33; p < 0,05).
Discussion:
Different from the literature, antidepressants were found not to be frequently preferred in the treatment of PDDs. This may be a result of the study group did not included adults with PDD. The results of this study highlight the need for more research on specific psychotropic medication for specific symptoms in children with PDDs.
Keywords: pervasive developmental disorders, medication, pharmacotherapy
