Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Children and Adolescents With Catatonia—A Case Series

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is highly efficacious in catatonia yet remains underutilized in pediatric patients. Practice guidelines recommend bilateral placement in cases with urgent need for response such as catatonia. Because of significantly lower cognitive burden and efficacy (compared to bilateral), right unilateral placement (RUL) is preferred for major depression. Increasing literature shows RUL is effective for catatonia in adults, but its use in catatonic youth is largely unknown.