Valproate in very young children: an open case series with a brief follow-up

We report nine cases of juvenile mania, of which six began in the preschool years. We provide validation by clinical description, family history of bipolar disorder, worsening on stimulants, and considerable mood stabilization with divalproex. This is a relatively new area of clinical observation, and systematic studies are needed to firmly establish this diagnostic category in very young children. Our case series enriches the existing scant literature and provide the rationale for the use of mood stabilizers rather than stimulants in this juvenile population. However, no controlled studies exist on the efficacy and safety of valproate in this age group; lithium that has received greater clinical attention, has not been subjected to controlled studies either. Our clinical observations with divalproex are preliminary but encouraging.