In several small , single-site RCTs , valproate and sulthiame were better than placebo for the management of recurrent aggression .
Conclusions : Currently available RCTs do not support the efficacy of anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers in children .
There is some preliminary evidence from small RCTs of the efficacy of some anticonvulsants in the control of aggression and behavioral dyscontrol in conduct disorder , autism , and intellectual disability
Aim : Anticonvulsant medications are frequently used in clinical practice to treat psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents , but the evidence for their efficacy is uncertain .
We conducted a systematic review of published r and omized controlled trials ( RCT ) that assessed the psychiatric benefit of anticonvulsants  in patients under 18 years of age .
Placebo-controlled trial of valproic Acid versus risperidone in children 3-7 years of age with bipolar I disorder.
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of valproic acid versus risperidone in children , 3 - 7 years of age , with bipolar I disorder ( BPD ) , during a mixed or manic episode . METHODS Forty-six children with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . 4th ed . , Text Revision ( DSM-IV-TR ) diagnosis of bipolar disorder , manic , hypomanic , or mixed episode , were recruited over a 6 year period from two academic outpatient programs for a double-blinded , placebo-controlled trial in which subjects were r and omized in a 2:2:1 ratio to risperidone solution , valproic acid , or placebo . RESULTS After 6 weeks of treatment , the least-mean Young Mania Rating Scale ( YMRS ) total scores change , adjusted for baseline YMRS scores , from baseline by treatment group was : Valproic acid 10.0±2.46 ( p=0.50 ) ; risperidone 18.82±1.55 ( p=0.008 ) ; and placebo 4.29±3.56 ( F=3.93 , p=0.02 ) . The mixed models for repeated measure ( MMRM ) analysis found a significant difference for risperidone-treated subjects versus placebo treated subjects ( p=0.008 ) but not for valproic acid-treated subjects versus placebo-treated subjects ( p=0.50 ) . Treatment with risperidone over 6 weeks led to increased prolactin levels , liver functions , metabolic measures , and weight/body mass index ( BMI ) . Treatment with valproic acid led to increases in weight/ BMI and decreases in total red blood cells ( RBC ) , hemoglobin , and hematocrit . CONCLUSIONS In this small sample of preschool children with BPD  , risperidone demonstrated clear efficacy versus placebo , whereas valproic acid did not . The laboratory and weight findings suggest that younger children with BPD are more sensitive to the effects of both of these psychotropics , and that , therefore , frequent laboratory and weight monitoring are warranted
In several small , single-site RCTs , valproate and sulthiame were better than placebo for the management of recurrent aggression .
Conclusions : Currently available RCTs do not support the efficacy of anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers in children .
There is some preliminary evidence from small RCTs of the efficacy of some anticonvulsants in the control of aggression and behavioral dyscontrol in conduct disorder , autism , and intellectual disability
Aim : Anticonvulsant medications are frequently used in clinical practice to treat psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents , but the evidence for their efficacy is uncertain .
We conducted a systematic review of published r and omized controlled trials ( RCT ) that assessed the psychiatric benefit of anticonvulsants  in patients under 18 years of age .