Use of Clonidine in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder Comorbidity: Report of 3 Cases.

Clonidine has been widely used in child and adolescent psychiatry, especially in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which are recently categorized under neurodevelopmental disorders. However, it is not recommended as a first-line medication for treatment, and current data on the use of clonidine are limited. Herein, we present 3 cases with ADHD and ASD comorbidity, if any, as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability and Tourette's disorder, treated with clonidine. At the second-month follow-up, substantial improvements were observed in subscale scores of Conners's Parent Rating Scale-Revised Long Form, and Autism Behavior Checklist. Our case report indicated that clonidine is well tolerated, safe, and effective in improving both ADHD- and ASD-related symptoms as well as disruptive, aggressive behaviors and tics in children with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders.

Managing precocious puberty: A necessity for psychiatric evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Precocious puberty (PP) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in school-age girls. It has been reported that there is an increased tendency for psychiatric disorders for early maturing girls. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychiatric problems and to investigate depression and anxiety levels, and self-concept characteristics in girls with PP. METHODS: Girls with PP (n = 41) and controls (n = 45) aged 7-11 years participated in this study. Psychiatric evaluations were conducted with semi-structured interviews. Behavioral and emotional problems were assessed using Child Behavior Check List and Teacher Report Form. Children's Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children and Piers-Harris Children's Self Concept Scale were administered, respectively. RESULTS: Girls with PP had significantly more psychiatric diagnosis than controls (68.3 % vs 20 %, p < 0.001). PP group had significantly higher anxious-depressed, somatic complaints, social problems, aggresive behaviors and interestingly autistic traits. Increased symptom levels of depression and anxiety, and lower self-concept scores were also obtained from PP subjects. CONCLUSIONS: PP is an independent predictor of psychiatric disorders. It is also associated with poorer psychiatric status, lower self esteem characteristics, and autistic traits. A multidisciplinary approach combining endocrinologic and psychiatric evaluations seem to be beneficial for the management of girls with PP.