Published online Mar 22, 2018. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v8.i1.27
Peer-review started: October 27, 2017
First decision: December 11, 2017
Revised: December 29, 2017
Accepted: January 16, 2018
Article in press: January 16, 2018
Published online: March 22, 2018
Processing time: 145 Days and 13.9 Hours
Core tip: A number of clinical guidelines have been developed for physical health monitoring in children and adolescents on antipsychotics. However, none of them capture the intricacies and complexities involved in prescribing antipsychotics to children and adolescents, which is distinct from adults. The typically shorter duration of prescribing, lower doses used and lack of data on long term adverse effects with antipsychotics in this population have not been taken into account. This audit aimed to ascertain if physical health of children and adolescents attending neurodevelopmental clinics in Northumberland and prescribed antipsychotics followed National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines. The overall audit findings were partially compliant with the guidelines. Logistic and ethical challenges as well as lack of awareness about the guidelines could underpin these findings.