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Clinical Trial
. 1999 Jul;38(7):873-82.
doi: 10.1097/00004583-199907000-00018.

Imipramine treatment in pediatric burn patients with symptoms of acute stress disorder: a pilot study

R Robert  1 , P E Blakeney, C Villarreal, L Rosenberg, W J Meyer 3rd
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Imipramine treatment in pediatric burn patients with symptoms of acute stress disorder: a pilot study

R Robert et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: Pediatric burn patients often exhibit acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms. Information on psychopharmacological treatment of ASD symptoms in children is scarce. This pilot study used a prospective, randomized, double-blind design to test whether thermally injured children suffering ASD symptoms benefit from imipramine.

Method: Twenty-five children, aged 2 to 19 years, received either imipramine or chloral hydrate for 7 days. A structured interview (clinically useful, but validity and reliability not yet established) was used to assess the presence and frequency of ASD symptoms both before treatment and 3 times during the treatment period.

Results: Eleven females and 14 males participated, with a mean total burn surface area of 45% (SD = 23%) and mean age of 8 years (SD = 6). Imipramine was more effective than chloral hydrate in treating ASD symptoms (chi 2 [1, N = 25] = 5.24, p < .02). Five of 13 were positive responders to chloral hydrate (38%). Ten of 12 were positive responders to low-dose imipramine (83%).

Conclusions: This pilot study suggests a place for cautious initial use of imipramine to reduce ASD symptoms in burned children. Care must be taken to minimize cardiovascular risks in an off-label application of imipramine in children, especially those receiving additional medications.

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Comment in

  • Imipramine in burn patients.
    Damore JP Jr. Damore JP Jr. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000 Jan;39(1):11-2. doi: 10.1097/00004583-200001000-00004. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000. PMID: 10638058 No abstract available.

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