TY - JOUR T1 - Risperidone was safe and effective for short term treatment of children with autism and serious behavioural disturbances JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 22 LP - 22 DO - 10.1136/ebm.8.1.22 VL - 8 IS - 1 A2 - , Y1 - 2003/01/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/8/1/22.abstract N2 - (2002) N Engl J Med 347, 314; McCracken JT, McGough J, Shah B, et al.. Risperidone in children with autism and serious behavioral problems.. ;. :. –21.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
 
 QUESTION: In children with autism and serious behavioural disturbances, is risperidone safer and more effective than placebo? Randomised (unclear allocation concealment*), blinded (clinicians, patients, and outcome assessors),* placebo controlled trial with 8 weeks of follow up. 5 university centres in the US. 101 children who were 5–17 years of age (mean age 8.8 y, 81% boys), met the DSM-IV criteria for autistic disorder, and presented with tantrums, aggression, or self injurious behaviour. Other inclusion criteria were weight of ≥15 kg, mental age ≥18 months, and no serious medical disorders or other psychiatric disorders requiring medication. Children receiving a psychotropic drug that was effective for aggression, tantrums, or self injurious behaviour were excluded. Follow up was complete. Patients were allocated to risperidone (n=49) or placebo (n=52). For children who weighed <20 kg, the initial dose … ER -