AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence of effect of SSRIs in children and emerging evidence of harm .
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders ( ASD ) are characterised by abnormalities in social interaction and communication skills , as well as stereotypic behaviours and restricted activities and interests .
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) are prescribed for the treatment of conditions often comorbid with ASD such as depression , anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviours .
OBJECTIVES To determine if treatment with an SSRI:1 .
improves the core features of autism ( social interaction , communication and behavioural problems);2 .
improves other non-core aspects of behaviour or function such as self-injurious behaviour;3 .
improves the quality of life of adults or children and their carers;4 .
has short- and long-term effects on outcome ; 5 .
causes harm .
A pilot study of clomipramine in young autistic children.
OBJECTIVE To assess the short-term efficacy and safety of clomipramine in hospitalized young children with autism . METHOD This was an open pilot study ; after a 1-week placebo baseline , subjects were treated with clomipramine for 5 weeks . Dosage was individually regulated ; starting dose was 25 mg/day ; increments were 25 mg/day . Maximum dose was 250 mg/day or 5.0 mg/kg per day , whichever was less . Multiple raters , under several conditions , used the Children 's Psychiatric Rating Scale , Clinical Global Impressions , Conners Parent Teacher Question naire , and the Clinical Global Consensus Ratings . RESULTS Eight children , aged 3.5 to 8.7 years , were enrolled in the study ; seven of these completed the study . A 3.5-year-old boy was excluded during the third week of treatment after having urinary retention on two occasions . At doses ranging from 2.50 to 4.64 mg/kg per day ( mean = 3.14 ) , one child improved moderately and six were rated as worse on the Clinical Global Consensus Ratings . Untoward effects were common . CONCLUSIONS ; Clomipramine was not therapeutic and was associated with serious untoward effects in this sample . Young autistic children may be more prone to experience untoward effects than older patients
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence of effect of SSRIs in children and emerging evidence of harm .
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders ( ASD ) are characterised by abnormalities in social interaction and communication skills , as well as stereotypic behaviours and restricted activities and interests .
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) are prescribed for the treatment of conditions often comorbid with ASD such as depression , anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviours .
OBJECTIVES To determine if treatment with an SSRI:1 .
improves the core features of autism ( social interaction , communication and behavioural problems);2 .
improves other non-core aspects of behaviour or function such as self-injurious behaviour;3 .
improves the quality of life of adults or children and their carers;4 .
has short- and long-term effects on outcome ; 5 .
causes harm .