Psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people: recognition and management

  • Clinical guideline
  • CG155
  • Published: 
  • Last updated: 

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Supplementary information on baseline investigations and monitoring

Table 1 Baseline investigations and monitoring for children and young people who are prescribed antipsychotic medication (read in conjunction with the BNF, BNFC and SPC)
- Baseline investigations before starting antipsychotic medication Monitor weekly for the first 6 weeks Monitor at 12 weeks Monitor every 6 months thereafter Monitor regularly throughout treatment, and especially during titration
Weight (plotted on a growth chart) Calculate and document BMI (percentile).

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

-
Height (plotted on a growth chart) Calculate and document BMI (percentile).

Yes

-

-

Yes

-
Waist circumference (plotted on a percentile chart)

Yes

-

-

Yes

-
Pulse

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

-
Blood pressure (plotted on a percentile chart)

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

-
Fasting blood glucose or HbA1c (glycosylated haemoglobin)

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

-
Blood lipid profile

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

-
Prolactin level

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

-
Movement disorders (extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, dystonia and tardive dyskinesia)

Yes

-

-

-

Yes

Even if no baseline assessment (and at each clinic visit if more frequent)
Nutritional status, diet and level of physical activity

Yes

-

-

-

Yes
The side effects the child or young person is most or least willing to tolerate

Yes

-

-

-

-
ECG

Yes

If specified in the SPC for adults and/or children; a physical examination has identified specific cardiovascular risk (such as diagnosis of high blood pressure); there is personal history of cardiovascular disease; there is a family history of cardiovascular disease such as sudden cardiac death or prolonged QT interval; or the child or young person is being admitted as an inpatient.

-

-

-

-
Efficacy

-

-

-

-

Yes

Side effects

-

-

-

-

Yes

Adherence

-

-

-

-

Yes