Catatonia in Preadolescent Children

Objective: The aim of the study is to describe prepubescent catatonia in very young children, which is poorly documented in the current literature and, as a result, overlooked in medical settings.

Methods: We examined a convenience sample of 10 patients at an academic center who were younger than 12 years and met criteria for catatonia. After institutional review board approval, we extracted from the electronic medical records demographic and diagnostic information, comorbidity, developmental history, and laboratory testing. Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scales at initial presentation and other symptomatology were gathered in addition to treatment received. Fifty percent of patients in this group were seen and diagnosed with catatonia at their presentation in an outpatient clinic, whereas the remaining 50% were diagnosed upon hospitalization, by the psychiatry consultation liaison team.

Results: All patients but one was diagnosed with a comorbid condition before the diagnosis of catatonia, including 70% with a previous diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Three patients had concurrent anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, and one initially presented with seizures. All patients were treated for catatonia with lorazepam, and two patients additionally received electroconvulsive therapy. Regardless of the presence of early regression invariably associated with an autism spectrum diagnosis, secondary symptoms of regression were noted in each case at the time of diagnosing catatonia.

Conclusions: Similar to previous observations in adolescents, prepubescent catatonia seems strongly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, secondary regression, variability in presentation, and comorbidity with other neurological conditions. Delayed recognition of catatonia can hinder rapid and effective treatment in young children.