Pediatric Catatonia in Early-onset Schizophrenia and Treatment Implications

Abstract

A 13-year-old girl presented with symptoms of catatonia during second episode of early-onset schizophrenia. Catatonic features seen were motoric immobility, extreme negativism, mutism, ambitendency, and refusal to take food. She was initially treated with antipsychotic drugs but developed side effects. In view of life-threatening situation and absence of improvement, she was treated with electroconvulsive therapies (ECTs). Nine adequately spaced ECTs were given using propofol as the anesthetic agent. She showed significant response to ECTs with respect to her symptoms of catatonia and activities of daily living.