Phenotypic psychiatric characterization of children with Williams syndrome and response of those with ADHD to methylphenidate treatment.

Williams syndrome (WS) is associated with cognitive deficits, special behavioral phenotype, and high rates of psychiatric disorders. The aims of the present study were: (1) To compare the rates of psychiatric disorders and repetitive behaviors in children with WS to children with idiopathic developmental disability (DDs); (2) To longitudinally assess the change in psychiatric disorders during adolescence in WS; (3) To assess retrospectively the effectiveness and safety of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment in WS children with ADHD. The study consisted of a cohort of 38 children and adolescents (age 13.

Methylphenidate treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents with velocardiofacial syndrome: an open-label study.

Background: Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a common microdeletion syndrome associated with psychiatric morbidity and developmental disabilities. Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric problem associated with VCFS, there are no reports on methylphenidate treatment in this patient population. Indeed, clinicians have commonly avoided the use of methylphenidate in children with VCFS because of concerns about ineffectiveness or psychotic exacerbation.