[Schizophrenic disorders in adolescence]. / Troubles schizophréniques de l'adolescence.

ABSTRACT

This article provides a brief overview of Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS). Schizophrenia is a severe, devastating and common psychiatric disorder (around 1% of general population). EOS is defined as onset before 18 years with a Childhood Onset Schizophrenia (COS) sub-category beginning before 13. COS is rare representing 1% of all schizophrenia, with a prevalence of 1 in 10000 births. Prevalence increases remarkably during adolescence with 4% of all schizophrenic disorders before 10 and 12-34% before 18. DSM-IV criteria for EOS are the same as for adult onset schizophrenia. Interestingly, compared to cases with adult onset, EOS shows the following characteristics 1) it is more frequent in males; 2) onset is more often insidious; 3) minor neurological signs, negative symptoms and catatonia are more frequent; 3) a history of developmental problems (ranging from minor motor coordination disorder to autism spectrum disorders) occurs in up to 50% of the cases; 4) the disease process has a greater impact on cognition and brain anatomic markers; 5) comorbid organic and genetic risk factors, including mental retardation, are more prevalent. Gold standard treatments are antipsychotic medications, which are approved by administration until 13 years old in France. It is of particular importance to search for side effects which may have different profile in pediatric populations.