Abstract
Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor antagonist, has long been used for anesthesia and has recently been investigated for its rapid antidepressant effects in adults with treatment-resistant depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We report a case of a child with PTSD and episodes of severe aggression and emotional dysregulation that were refractory to multiple medical and behavioral interventions. This child demonstrated sustained (8-13 days) remission from these symptoms when exposed to ketamine in the context of 2 procedures. We review the sparse literature on the uses of ketamine for behavioral purposes in children. This case suggests that ketamine should be further explored as a potential treatment option for children with severe refractory behavioral aggression.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | e694-e696 |
Journal | Pediatrics |
Volume | 136 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.