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Pharmacological Interventions of Atypical Antipsychotics Induced Weight Gain in the Pediatric Population: A Systemic Review of Current Evidence

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Abstract

To systematically review studies evaluating pharmacological treatment intervention of the atypical antipsychotic induced weight gain in the pediatric population and summarize the current evidence of the pharmacological treatment. According to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched the various databases Medline, PubMed, PubMed central (PMC), CINAHL, and clinicaltrial.gov. until Jan 30th, 2022 for relevant clinical studies. Medical subject heading (MeSH) terms or keywords were used, "Body Weight," "Weight Gain," "Weight Loss," "Body Weight Maintenance," "Pediatric Obesity" in "Pediatrics," "Adolescent," "Child" in context of "Antipsychotic Agents" and "Drug Therapy," "Therapeutics," "Treatment Outcome," "Early Medical Intervention." We used the PICO algorithm for our search (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study Design) framework. The initial search included 746 articles, nine studies were ultimately selected in the final qualitative review. We included relevant clinical reviews, case series, and randomized clinical trials that evaluated pharmacological intervention for antipsychotic-induced weight gain in the pediatric population. Non-peer-reviewed, non-human, non-English languages article was excluded. Metformin is the most studied medication for antipsychotic-induced weight gain in children. Three studies have shown that adding Metformin to the antipsychotics can significantly reduce the body weight and body mass index with mild transient side effects. Other adjunct medications like topiramate, amantadine, betahistine, or melatonin vary greatly in mitigating weight with various side effects. Lifestyle modification is the first step in dealing with AIWG, but the result is inconsistent. Avoiding the use of antipsychotic in children is preferred. Adding an adjuvant medication to the antipsychotic could prevent or mitigate their negative metabolic effect on the body weight and body mass index. Metformin has the most evidence, topiramate, betahistine, amantadine, and melatonin is possible alternatives in the pediatric patient without changing their antipsychotic medication. Other viable options show some benefits but need further clinical studies to establish efficacy and safety.

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WA worked on the title, introduction, PRISMA, discussions, limitations, and results. KS worked on methodology and PRISMA. CT worked on the methodology, risk of bias, and quality assessment. WA, AM independently reviewed the selected relevant articles. All authors except YA, equally searched, cross-checked, summarizing relevant articles, and independently reviewed and edited this review. SJ and ZM share senior authorship and supervision. YA only reviewed the grammar, punctuation and style of writing.

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Correspondence to Wisam Al Jumaili.

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Al Jumaili, W., Muzwagi, A., Shah, K. et al. Pharmacological Interventions of Atypical Antipsychotics Induced Weight Gain in the Pediatric Population: A Systemic Review of Current Evidence. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 55, 479–487 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-022-01424-6

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