Tardive dyskinesia and other clinical consequences of neuroleptic treatment in children and adolescents

Of 41 children, adolescents, and young adults who were withdrawn from chronic neuroleptic treatment, 18 developed tardive dyskinesia, withdrawal dyskinesia, nondyskinetic withdrawal symptoms, or transient behavior deterioration. Development of neuroleptic-related problems seemed to be associated with cumulative neuroleptic dose and possibly with the sex of the subject. Only 12 of the 41 subjects required resumption of neuroleptic treatment after a prolonged trial withdrawal period.