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Electroconvulsive therapy in children and adolescents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

M. Esperesate Pajares*
Affiliation:
Hospital 12 de Octubre, Psychiatry, Madrid, Spain
C. Pastor Jordá
Affiliation:
Hospital 12 de Octubre, Psychiatry, Madrid, Spain
M. Taracena Cuerda
Affiliation:
Hospital 12 de Octubre, Psychiatry, Madrid, Spain
R. Puente García
Affiliation:
Hospital 12 de Octubre, Psychiatry, Madrid, Spain
A.M. Jiménez Bidón
Affiliation:
Hospital 12 de Octubre, Psychiatry, Madrid, Spain
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Despite its good results and tolerability in adults, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is barely administered in children and adolescents, with scarce evidence in these patients.

Objectives

We aim to summarize the data available to give a clearer view of how children and adolescents might benefit from ECT.

Methods

We’ve done a bibliographic review in PubMed and Cochrane Library searching for articles that include the terms “electroconvulsive therapy” and “adolescents” and/or “children” and their variations.

Results

Current evidence supports the use of ECT in various indications as mood disorders, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome and self-injurious behaviours associated with autism, Tourette’s syndrome or intellectual disability. The efficacy and safety it’s comparable to adults and there are no absolute contraindications. Side-effect profile it’s also similar to the general population, reporting as the most frequent adverse effects headache, generalized body aching, and nausea or vomiting.

Conclusions

ECT is an effective and safe treatment for severe mental disorders in children and adolescents.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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