ADOLESCENTS ON NEUROLEPTIC MEDICATION - IS THIS POPULATION AT RISK FOR TARDIVE-DYSKINESIA

Objective: To assess the incidence of tardive dyskinesia (TD) in a sam ple of adolescents treated with neuroleptic medication and to identify the presence of any risk factors for TD within the affected group. Me thod: A retrospective chart review was conducted for la cases. The Abn ormal involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) was used to measure side effec ts from medication at 6-month intervals over 2 years. Drug exposure wa s converted to chlorpromazine (CPZ) equivalents and the presence of ri sk factors for TD, such as a diagnosis of affective disorder, medicati on noncompliance, early age of illness onset, and concomitant antipark insonian medication, was also noted. Results: Of the 40 cases reviewed , 2 patients (5%) met diagnostic criteria for TD, and another 5 patien ts (12.5%) showed symptoms of TD. Conclusions: TD is a serious risk at any age. Medication noncompliance early age of illness onset, and con comitant use of antiparkinsonian medication may increase susceptibilit y to TD and should be carefully monitored.