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Use of clozapine in a child with treatment-resistant schizophrenia
Background:
Schizophrenia can be diagnosed in adults and requires treatment with antipsychotic medication. Clozapine is used effectively in adults with treatment-resistant schizophrenia but little is published on the use of clozapine in children.
Method:
Supported by parental consent and a second opinion, standardised observations were used to chart the progress of treatment with clozapine in a child in-patient detained under mental health legislation with severe drug-resistant schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia.
Results:
Sixteen months of clozapine treatment led to significant reduction of symptomatology with marked improvement in social functioning and diminished tardive dyskinesia.
Conclusions:
This case illustrates the successful use of clozapine in treatment-resistant childhood schizophrenia.