Efficacy of Low-Dose Aripiprazole for Treatment of Psychotic Symptoms in a Patient with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Objectives:

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders and children suffering from this syndrome have been found to have a substantially greater risk for the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Psychiatric medications such as antipsychotics are commonly used in individuals with 22q11.2DS.

Experimental Design:

This is a case of 13 years male young man suffering from 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Since adolescence, he presented with behavioural disorders, aggression, verbal abuse, sleep disorders.

Principal Observations:

The psychiatric examination confirmed the delusional idea, which was repeated in an obsessive way. There were also auditory hallucinations along with reference ideas. Aripiprazole was administered in 8 mg daily which gave more spectacular results and was better tolerated.

Conclusions:

In the present situation delusional ideas are no longer mentioned, but a cognitive deduction is found. Aripiprazole can be an effective pharmacological solution for the psychotic symptoms in patients suffering from 22q11DS.