Advances in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions), can significantly impact a child's daily functioning, academic performance, and overall quality of life. As the prevalence of pediatric OCD continues to rise, there is a critical demand for evidence-based treatments that not only alleviate symptoms but also enhance the quality of life for affected children and adolescents. By identifying gaps in knowledge and suggesting directions for future research, this narrative review contributes to the ongoing discourse on pediatric OCD treatments. Ultimately, the synthesis of evidence aims to enhance our understanding and inform best practices in the compassionate and effective management of OCD in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and emerging strategies in the treatment of pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and highlights the significance of tailoring treatment approaches to individual patient needs, considering factors such as symptom severity and treatment response. Concentrating on interventions supported by empirical evidence, the review delves into cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), pharmacotherapy, the synergistic effects of these modalities, and inventive therapeutic approaches, all while considering the distinctive developmental aspects pertinent to pediatric populations. We conducted this review by searching for titles in the PubMed database from 2013 to present. Our comprehensive literature review focused on advancements in treating pediatric OCD, using keywords like "Obsessive-compulsive disorder," "Pediatric," "treatment," "CBT," "SSRI," "Pharmacotherapy," and "combination therapy." While both pharmacotherapy and CBT show individual efficacy, the combination of these approaches appears to be more effective, especially for medication non-responders with no prior exposure to CBT, despite some mixed findings. These findings contribute significantly to the ongoing discussion on optimizing combined therapy strategies tailored to the complexities of pediatric OCD.