SUDDEN HEART FAILURE IN CHILDREN - LETTER AND ABSTRACT HIGHLIGHTING RISKS OF SUDDEN HEART FAILURE IN CHILDREN FROM TAKING PSYCHOSTIMULANTS

 Letter
Oseltamivir's adverse reactions
Fifty sudden deaths may be related to central suppression
BMJ 2007; 335 doi: 10.1136/bmj.39262.448877.BE (Published 12 July 2007)
Cite this as: BMJ 2007;335:59.1

http://ego.thechicagoschool.edu/s/843/images/editor_documents/childadolescent/Stimulant%20Medications.pdf
 
The QT interval and psychotropic medications in children
Recommendations for clinicians

Paul McNally, Fiona McNicholas and Paul Oslizlok
   




Letter
Oseltamivir's adverse reactions
Fifty sudden deaths may be related to central suppression
BMJ 2007; 335 doi: 10.1136/bmj.39262.448877.BE (Published 12 July 2007)
Cite this as: BMJ 2007;335:59.1
 
http://www.springerlink.com/content/947210551n780175/

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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume 16, Number 1, 33-47, DOI: 10.1007/s00787-006-0573-0

ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION
The QT interval and psychotropic medications in children
Recommendations for clinicians

Paul McNally, Fiona McNicholas and Paul Oslizlok

Abstract
The use of psychotropic medications in children has increased significantly in the last few years. There have been several case reports of sudden death in children taking specific psychotropic medications. Fears that these deaths might have been caused by ventricular arrhythmias have been enhanced by reports of electrocardiographic abnormalities, including prolongation of the QTc interval, in patients taking these medications. Several factors including genetic susceptibility, pre-existing cardiac disease, abnormalities of drug clearance and concomitant use of other medications known to affect the QTc interval can increase the susceptibility of the heart to conduction abnormalities. This article discusses the potential of particular psychotropic drugs to prolong the QTc interval in children, and examines other factors that may contribute to conduction abnormalities. We aim to provide clear clinical recommendations for the prescription of these drugs and the monitoring of children taking them.