No abstract

The data presented here support existing literature reporting differences in AEs between age groups. More rigorous studies are warranted to further examine the types and frequencies of AEs related to psychotropic medications in very young children.

Background This study focused on the behavioral functioning and treatment outcomes of preschool‐aged children who attended a specialized, family focused psychiatric partial hospitalization program. Method Study data were collected between 2002 and 2007. Maternal reports of child behavioral functioning were obtained at program admission and discharge. Maternal parenting stress and psychiatric impairment were assessed at admission. Results Children's symptom severity decreased from admission to discharge, particularly with respect to externalizing symptoms. Both child age and maternal functioning emerged as predictors of treatment outcome. Conclusions Specialized partial hospitalization may be an effective approach to treatment for preschool children with severe psychopathology.

This study examined the nature and prevalence of diagnostically defined sleep disorders, including Sleep Onset Insomnia (SOI) and Night Waking Insomnia (NWI), in a sample of 183 young children admitted to an early childhood psychiatric day treatment program. A semi-structured diagnostic interview, the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment, was used to assess for sleep and other psychiatric disorders. Daily sleep diaries and the Child Behavior Checklist were also examined. 41 % of children met criteria for a sleep disorder; 23 % met diagnostic criteria for SOI and 4 % met criteria for NWI, with an additional 14 % meeting criteria for both (SOI + NWI). Sleep-disordered children demonstrated longer latency to sleep onset, longer and more frequent night awakenings, less total sleep, and lower sleep efficiency than non-sleep disordered participants. Diagnosable sleep disorders, particularly SOI, were quite common in this acute clinical sample, exceeding previous estimates obtained in community and pediatric practice samples.