Treatment for Infants and Children with Tardive Dyskinesia

Treating infants and children who have developed tardive dyskinesia can be difficult. Because the disease is fairly rare, a limited amount of research has been conducted on how to adequately combat the condition when it affects children and infants.

While there are a number of different drugs that have been given to adults in the hopes relieving the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, there is no definitive evidence that any of these medications will work with children. In some cases, these drugs may cause further complications and more serious side effects.

Preventing tardive dyskinesia in children and infants is the best course of action. To be safe, it is often best to not allow the use of metoclopramide or anti-psychotics in the treatment of children and infants, whether it is for a gastrointestinal concern or a mental health or behavioral problem. Parents should carefully review the possible side effects of any medication given to an infant or child.

Discontinue Use of Medications

If a child is already taking a drug that has prompted the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, use of the drug should be immediately stopped. If a child must remain on an anti-psychotic for a condition such as schizophrenia, a parent may wish to suggest to a doctor that the child’s medication be changed to an atypical neuroleptic, which is less likely to cause the disorder.

Natural Treatment

Doctors may opt to recommend natural remedies to treat tardive dyskinesia in children and infants, rather than prescription drugs. For example, vitamins E and B6 have shown some promise in treating tardive dyskinesia and serious side effects are typically limited.

Also, some doctors are experimenting with taking short breaks from medicines that cause tardive dyskinesia, hoping that this will either alleviate the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia or help avoid the disorder altogether.

Any infant or child that exhibits symptoms of tardive dyskinesia should see a pediatric neurologist in order to verify the presence of the disorder and understand the cause of the condition.

Free information packet on Tardive Dyskinesia

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