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Psychopharmacological treatment for very young children: contexts and guidelines

Mary Margaret Gleason1, Helen Link Egger, Graham J Emslie

  • 1Bradley Hasbro Research Center, Providence, RI 02903, USA. mgleason@lifespan.org

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|November 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Limited guidelines exist for preschool psychopharmacological treatment. The Preschool Psychopharmacology Working Group (PPWG) developed recommendations for medication use in very young children, promoting responsible treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Limited systematic guidelines exist for psychopharmacological treatment in preschoolers.
  • Clinical use of medications in this age group is increasing.
  • Need for evidence-based recommendations for treating young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review literature on preschool psychopharmacology.
  • To develop treatment recommendations for clinicians.
  • To promote responsible medication use in very young children.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review.
  • Development of treatment algorithms.
  • Expert consensus from the Preschool Psychopharmacology Working Group (PPWG).

Main Results:

  • Identified developmental considerations for psychopharmacological treatment.
  • Presented evidence base for specific early childhood disorders.
  • Described recommended medication use algorithms.

Conclusions:

  • Clinicians need guidance for psychopharmacological treatment in preschoolers.
  • Evidence-based algorithms can support responsible medication decisions.
  • Medication may be a necessary component of treatment for some young children.

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