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Complications of antipsychotic therapy in children with tourette syndrome

Tamara Pringsheim1, Michelle Pearce

  • 1Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. tmprings@ucalgary.ca

Pediatric Neurology
|August 5, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Antipsychotics effectively manage Tourette syndrome tics but frequently cause metabolic side effects like lipid abnormalities and abnormal BMI in children. Neurologic complications were rare, suggesting atypical antipsychotics may be safer.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antipsychotics are crucial for managing Tourette syndrome tics.
  • These medications can lead to significant metabolic and neurologic side effects in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically monitor metabolic and neurologic side effects in children with Tourette syndrome treated with antipsychotics.
  • To assess the incidence and nature of these adverse events over time.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center study followed 73 children with Tourette syndrome requiring antipsychotic treatment.
  • Monitoring occurred every six months for metabolic (lipids, BMI) and neurologic complications.
  • The primary treatment involved atypical antipsychotics.

Main Results:

  • 45% of children developed lipid abnormalities, with significantly higher levels in boys and lower HDL in girls compared to population norms.
  • 49% had abnormal BMI percentiles, and abnormal BMI was strongly associated with lipid abnormalities (OR 6.0).
  • Neurologic complications occurred in only 3 children.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic complications, particularly lipid abnormalities and abnormal BMI, are common in children with Tourette syndrome treated with antipsychotics.
  • Routine monitoring of growth and lipid profiles is essential.
  • Atypical antipsychotics appear to be associated with a low incidence of neurologic complications.

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