Use of Quetiapine in Children and Adolescents

The atypical antipsychotic quetiapine has been examined in children and adolescents in a randomizedclinical trial, a number of open-label studies, and several chart review studies. Although only asmall amount of information exists, most studies indicate that quetiapine is effective and well toleratedin various pediatric populations. Because quetiapine appears to be well tolerated in the young andassociated with manifest salutary effects, it seems to be a promising agent that has potential for use inchildren and adolescents. This article reviews studies of quetiapine in the treatment of children andadolescents with a variety of psychiatric disorders. Despite these encouraging findings, the number ofstudies is small, and some have methodological limitations. Methodologically rigorous studies withsubstantive numbers of subjects are needed to confirm or refute these preliminary impressions.