Pharmacologic treatment of adolescent and child schizophrenia

Although relatively rare in childhood, the incidence of schizophrenia increases in adolescence. Compared with adult-onset schizophrenia, there are differences in the response to various psychopharmacologic agents and an urgent need for more clinical treatment trials in child-onset schizophrenia. The history, epidemiology and clinical presentation of early- and very early-onset schizophrenia is reviewed with a focus on the available pharmacologic treatment literature. Information on the older typical antipsychotics, newer atypical antipsychotics and most promising new potential agents, their benefits and pitfalls are summarized. Acute management as well as continuation and maintenance therapy recommendations are made.