Am J Psychiatry 1988; 145:335-338
Copyright © 1988 by American Psychiatric Association
Low-dose neuroleptic therapy for children with childhood-onset pervasive developmental disorder
PT Joshi, JA Capozzoli and JT Coyle
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
An open study of the therapeutic effects of low-dose neuroleptic treatment
was performed on 12 consecutively hospitalized children, aged 7-11, who
satisfied DSM-III criteria for childhood-onset pervasive developmental
disorder. While receiving an average dose of 0.04 mg/kg per day of
haloperidol or fluphenazine hydrochloride, the patients exhibited
significant reductions in hyperactivity and aggressive symptoms and
significant improvement in peer relations. This dose of neuroleptic was
associated with minimal side effects. The authors conclude that low doses
of potent neuroleptics may be effective treatment for some patients
suffering from childhood-onset pervasive developmental disorder.
