Use of quetiapine in children and adolescents

The atypical antipsychotic quetiapine has been examined in children and adolescents in a randomized clinical trial, a number of open-label studies, and several chart review studies. Although only a small amount of information exists, most studies indicate that quetiapine is effective and well tolerated in various pediatric populations. Because quetiapine appears to be well tolerated in the young and associated with manifest salutary effects, it seems to be a promising agent that has potential for use in children and adolescents. This article reviews studies of quetiapine in the treatment of children and adolescents with a variety of psychiatric disorders. Despite these encouraging findings, the number of studies is small, and some have methodological limitations. Methodologically rigorous studies with substantive numbers of subjects are needed to confirm or refute these preliminary impressions.