An open trial of plasma exchange in childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder without poststreptococcal exacerbations

Patients with childhood-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with symp tom exacerbations following streptococcal infections benefit from treatment with plasma exchange. In this study, 5 patients with treatment-refractory OCD without a history of streptococcus-related exacerbations underwent an o pen 2-week course of therapeutic plasma exchange. Behavioral ratings, compl eted at baseline and 4 weeks after the initial treatment, included the Clin ical Global Impressions Scale and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale . Ail 5 patients completed the trial with few side effects, but none showed significant improvement. Plasma exchange does not benefit children and ado lescents with OCD who do not have streptococcus-related exacerbations.