Study: Lithium safe, effective for bipolar disorder in children

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Standby Drug for Adult Bipolar Disorder May Be Safe, Effective in Children - A new study suggests  The item  lithium  -   intended for   several years   the  go-to medication  pertaining to  adults  in  bipolar disorder  -   can be  safely  consumed   in  children  with the  condition,  at least   because of its  short term.

As  ones  researchers explained, lithium  features   extended  been  the  drug  of   alternative   for  treating adults  within  bipolar disorder,  that\'ll be  characterized  via  extreme mood swings.  the  condition affects  all about  1 percent  involving  teens  AS WELL AS   is a  leading cause  connected with  disability  in the  teenage years. Bipolar disorder typically begins  with the  teens  or perhaps  young adulthood,  your current  researchers noted.

While lithium  is usually a  standby medication  pertaining to  adult patients,  This has  "never been rigorously studied  inside  children," lead researcher Dr. Robert Findling,  a  professor  of  psychiatry  IN ADDITION TO  behavioral sciences  at the  Johns Hopkins University School  associated with  Medicine  inside  Baltimore, said  with   a good  university news release.

To try  AND ALSO  close  This  research gap, Findling's group tracked outcomes  with regard to  81 young patients  within  bipolar disorder, aged 7  in order to  17,  who  were divided  in to   2  groups.

One group (53 patients)  fired up   taking   an   standard  dose  involving  lithium, gradually increasing  towards  maximum dose  more than   8  weeks  whether or not   the  mood symptoms weren't controlled.  your current   different  group (28 patients) took  the  placebo.

The patients  that  took lithium had much  much better  improvements  within   their  symptoms  than   anyone   that  took  ones  placebo.  all about  47 percent  of   those   for the  lithium group were "much improved"  or even  "very much improved," compared  throughout  21 percent  associated with   the individual   on the  placebo group.

And unlike  additional  psychiatric drugs  similar to  risperidone  or even  olanzapine, lithium  \'m  not  relevant to   crucial   The stress  gain,  ones  researchers found.  Just like  well, none  of any  patients  carrying  lithium had serious drug-related side effects,  your   section  said.

The study,  composed  Oct. 12  with the  journal Pediatrics,  \'m  funded  by the  U.S. National Institute  of   youngster  Health  AS WELL AS  Human Development.

The results  may   help  doctors  When  deciding what medication  to be able to  prescribe  intended for  short-term treatment  associated with  children  AND  teens  in  bipolar disorder, said Findling,  who   is usually   also  director  involving   young man   AS WELL AS  adolescent psychiatry  in the  Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

The study  are  relatively short  throughout  duration, however,  AND ALSO  Findling said  the  effects  connected with  long-term  USE   involving  lithium  throughout  youngsters  are usually   now  being assessed,  including   your  risk  connected with   Weight  gain,  AS WELL AS  kidney  ALONG WITH  thyroid problems.  an  clearer understanding  of an  long-term impact  regarding  lithium  EMPLOY   is usually   crucial   since   a number of   a person   inside  bipolar disorder  call for  life-long medication, he said.

Dr. Victor Fornari directs  boy   AND ALSO  adolescent psychiatry  on  Zucker Hillside Hospital  inside  Glen Oaks, N.Y. He called  the  new study  a  "very  important  advance  for the  care  associated with  children  inside  bipolar disorder."

"Until  your  study, there  are   simply no   information   to   support   your   WORK WITH   regarding  lithium  on the  treatment  involving  youth  with  biopolar disorder," he said. "This study  offers  evidence  in order to   help   the  efficacy  AS WELL AS  benefit  associated with  lithium  in the  treatment  regarding  children  in  bipolar disorder  inside   an  manic state."