[Childhood and adolescent-onset schizophrenia: new information and definitions].

Schizophrenia in children and adolescents is a rare and serious representation of adult schizophrenia that indicates phenotypic and neurobiological continuity with the adult version of the illness. Epidemiological, genetic, cognitive and imaging findings support the centrality of the neuro-developmental model in the etiology of the disease. The diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia in children and adolescents, and in adults are identical. However, many of the children suffering from schizophrenia display higher levels of impaired pre-morbid functionality than adults with schizophrenia, and have a worse prognosis. Similar to adult-schizophrenia, prognosis is further worsened by frequent co-morbidities. Currently, treatment mainly consists of anti-psychotic medications, including clozapine. However, there is little evidence as to its effectiveness and side-effects are common in younger age.