[Clinical evaluation of treatment with fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in children with autistic disorder].

The serotonin system has been implicated in the pathoetiology of autistic disorder. To examine the clinical effects of fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) in children with autistic disorder, eighteen patients underwent a cross-over, double-blind trial of fluvoxamine treatment after a written informed consent was obtained from patients' parents. Fluvoxamine treatment resulted in significant improvements in some clinical findings such as eye contact and language use, as tested by behavioral assessment scores consisting of twenty items (p < 0.05). The improvement in language use was also confirmed by parental assessments. Clinical Global Impression Scale was improved in approximately half of the patients. No severe adverse effect was observed during the trial. Thus SSRI treatment in autistic children may be of value.