Traitements des troubles bipolaires de type I de l'enfant et de l'adolescent

Abstract

Recognition of bipolar disorder in adolescent is now clearly established. However, whether bipolarity exists in children is more controversial. We reviewed the literature on acute and prophylactic treatment of bipolar disorder in youth. Mainly, guidelines recommended in the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescent are similar to those in adult practice. But no evidence based data support the use of mood stabilizers or atypical neuroleptics since we only found two placebo-randomised controlled trials testing the efficacy of lithium in the paediatric literature. Therefore, we support the view that prescriptions should be limited to the most typical cases. In fact, the use of mood stabilizers or atypical neuroleptics in the treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents appears of limited interest in children when a comorbid condition, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, occurs.