The acute management of aggressive behaviour in hospitalized children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

To examine how health care professionals attempt to manage acutely aggressive behaviours exhibited by children and adolescents in various hospital settings.

METHOD

A review of the literature examining management techniques on child psychiatric and pediatric wards is presented. Techniques reviewed include pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, seclusion, restraint and the use of pro re nata (prn) medications.

RESULTS

Effects of various management techniques are presented, where available.

CONCLUSION

There is little evidence for the effectiveness of most presently used acute management techniques in containing aggressive child behaviours over the long term. Suggestions for improved evaluation of management techniques are made.