Effective management with lithium of a persistent, post-traumatic hypomania in a 10-year-old child.

A 10-year-old child who suffered closed head trauma resulting in a coma of 1 week's duration at the age of 4, developed a persistent, severe behavioral disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, distractability, irritability, and grandiosity. Prior attempts at treatment with stimulants and behavioral modification were unsuccessful. Treatment with lithium carbonate resulted in a marked reduction in symptoms and attenuation in her emotional lability.