Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology: Current Treatments and Future Options

A special issue of Clinics and Practice (ISSN 2039-7283).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 7530

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Mental Health, Community Mental Health Center DS 25, ASL Napoli 1 Centro, Naples, Italy
Interests: mental health; psychiatry; psychopharmacology; depression; schizophrenia; bipolar disorder; psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Child and adolescent mental health is a topical issue for society and for clinicians in both the psychiatry and psychology fields. Mental health problems, psychological distress, anxiety, depression and eating disorders have risen consistently after the pandemic, while severe mental diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are constantly a matter of concern. Increasing and precocious use of substances further complicates the picture. Therefore, there is an increasing need for evidence-based treatments for child and adolescent mental health-related problems and mental diseases. The aim of this Special Issue is to share novel and evidence-based knowledge on pharmacological and psychological treatments for psychiatric disorders in pediatric and adolescent populations, taking into account both established treatments and future therapeutic options. Original Research, Reviews and Meta-analyses aiming to share clinical and practical knowledge on pharmacotherapies and/or psychotherapies for children and adolescents are welcome and will be peer-reviewed in a timely manner.

Dr. Vassilis Martiadis
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • psychiatry
  • adolescent
  • child
  • treatment
  • psychology
  • mental health
  • psychopharmacology
  • psychotherapy

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 238 KiB  
Article
Predictors of Readmission in Young Adults with First-Episode Psychosis: A Multicentric Retrospective Study with a 12-Month Follow-Up
by Filippo Besana, Serena Chiara Civardi, Filippo Mazzoni, Giovanni Carnevale Miacca, Vincenzo Arienti, Matteo Rocchetti, Pierluigi Politi, Vassilis Martiadis, Natascia Brondino and Miriam Olivola
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(4), 1234-1244; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14040099 - 24 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1348
Abstract
Background: A significant number of young individuals are readmitted one or more times shortly after their first episode of psychosis. Readmission may represent a marker of psychopathological vulnerability. Our primary aim was to evaluate the impact of clinical and socio-demographic variables on readmission [...] Read more.
Background: A significant number of young individuals are readmitted one or more times shortly after their first episode of psychosis. Readmission may represent a marker of psychopathological vulnerability. Our primary aim was to evaluate the impact of clinical and socio-demographic variables on readmission at 12-month follow-up. Secondly, our goal was to determine whether the use of Long-Acting Injection (LAI) antipsychotics provides notable benefits compared to oral medications in preventing subsequent readmissions. Subjects and methods: 80 patients hospitalised for the first time with a diagnosis of psychotic disorder (ICD-10 criteria) were retrospectively assessed through clinical records. The mean age was 21.7 years. Patients were predominantly male (n = 62, 77.5%), and 55 subjects had at least 8 years of education. 50% of the sample was “NEET” (not in education, employment, or training). Results: 35 patients (43.8%) were discharged with a LAI antipsychotic, while 45 (56.2%) recieved oral antipsychotic therapy. Substance use (p = 0.04) and oral antipsychotics at discharge (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with readmission at 1 year. We did not find any significant predictors of being discharged with LAI therapy. Conclusion: Our findings underlined the importance of identifying patients at risk of readmission in order to prevent future rehospitalization and promote appropriate prevention strategies. LAIs should be considered as a first-choice treatment for patients hospitalised for FEP since they proved to be effective in preventing relapse. Full article
12 pages, 247 KiB  
Article
Emotional Dysregulation and Sleep Problems: A Transdiagnostic Approach in Youth
by Gianluca Sesso, Fulvio Guccione, Simone Pisano, Elena Valente, Antonio Narzisi, Stefano Berloffa, Pamela Fantozzi, Valentina Viglione, Annarita Milone and Gabriele Masi
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(3), 934-945; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14030074 - 21 May 2024
Viewed by 1900
Abstract
Background: Sleep is a complex phenomenon that affects several aspects of life, including cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Sleep disturbances, especially during adolescence, can negatively impact emotional regulation, making it a critical factor in targeting psychopathology. Methods: This study explores the [...] Read more.
Background: Sleep is a complex phenomenon that affects several aspects of life, including cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Sleep disturbances, especially during adolescence, can negatively impact emotional regulation, making it a critical factor in targeting psychopathology. Methods: This study explores the interplay between emotional dysregulation (ED) and sleep patterns in a sample of 90 adolescent patients by means of self- and parent-rated clinical measures. Results: Our findings reveal a bidirectional relationship between ED and sleep problems. Adolescents with higher affective instability experience poorer sleep quality, while those with worse sleep quality exhibit higher internalizing problems. Additionally, emotional reactivity is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms. Conclusions: These results emphasize the significance of addressing sleep problems in the context of psychopathology treatment, potentially leading to improved outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the most effective treatment strategies, including nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Understanding the intricate relationship between sleep problems and emotion regulation offers insights for more targeted and effective treatment approaches for youths struggling with ED. Full article
12 pages, 730 KiB  
Article
Anxiety and Depression and Associated Risk Factors among Outpatients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
by Manal Ahmed Hasan, Wasayf Salman Almogaliq, Fatimah Habib Alhanabi, Hebah Abbas Aldrazi, Moath Thamer Alkhouzaie, Raed Albukhari, Safi Alqatari, Abdullah A. Al-Abdulwahab, Hajer Musaab AlZuhair and Mohammed T. Al-Hariri
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(2), 486-497; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14020037 - 19 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1735
Abstract
Background: Although mood disorders are prevalent among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, they are usually underrecognized. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Saudi SLE patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among SLE patients from July 2022 [...] Read more.
Background: Although mood disorders are prevalent among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, they are usually underrecognized. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Saudi SLE patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among SLE patients from July 2022 to June 2023 in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the data through validated tools including the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale-A and the Beck Depression Inventory score. Results: There were 133 females (91.7%) and 12 males (8.3%) included in this study. Based on the HAM-A score, 45.5% of participants had an anxiety disorder, and according to the BDI score, 46.2% had a depression disorder. Anxiety and depression were significantly associated with a longer duration of SLE, unemployment status, smoking, and the presence of comorbidities. Moreover, the present study found a significant association between depression and male gender. Conclusion: This study found that Saudi SLE patients have a high prevalence of both anxiety and depression. Therefore, SLE patients should be screened for neuropsychiatric disorders during routine follow-ups and managed as early as possible. Full article
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13 pages, 897 KiB  
Article
Serum Markers of Brain Injury in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Heart Defects Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Diagnostic and Prognostic Role
by Lacramioara Eliza Chiperi, Adina Huţanu, Cristina Tecar and Iolanda Muntean
Clin. Pract. 2023, 13(5), 1253-1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract13050113 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1761
Abstract
Introduction: The objectives of this study were to assess the role of neuromarkers like glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), protein S100 (pS100), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as diagnostic markers of acute brain injury and also as prognostic markers [...] Read more.
Introduction: The objectives of this study were to assess the role of neuromarkers like glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), protein S100 (pS100), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as diagnostic markers of acute brain injury and also as prognostic markers for short-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Methods: Pediatric patients with congenital heart defects (CHDs) undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included. Neurodevelopmental functioning was assessed preoperatively and 4–6 months postoperatively using the Denver Developmental Screening Test II. Blood samples were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. During surgery, regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Results: Forty-two patients were enrolled and dichotomized into cyanotic and non-cyanotic groups based on peripheric oxygen saturation. Nineteen patients (65.5%) had abnormal developmental scores in the non-cyanotic group and eleven (84.6%) in the cyanotic group. A good diagnostic model was observed between NIRS values and GFAP in the cyanotic CHD group (AUC = 0.7). A good predicting model was observed with GFAP and developmental scores in the cyanotic CHD group (AUC = 0.667). A correlation was found between NSE and developmental quotient scores (r = 0.09, p = 0.046). Conclusions: From all four neuromarkers studied, only GFAP was demonstrated to be a good diagnostic and prognostic factor in cyanotic CHD patients. NSE had only prognostic value. Full article
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