Manic-depressive illness in children: treatment with lithium carbonate.

A behavior questionnaire was used retrospectively in 21 manic-depressive children to quantitate manic-depressive behaviors before and after treatment with lithium carbonate. The study children were matched with 21 control children for age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status. The study children had significantly more seizures, relatives with psychotic disorders, allergies, food sensitivities, headaches, and abnormal behaviors in all categories measured. During treatment, manic-depressive children had a statistically significant reduction in disturbed behavior. This behavior, however, was still significantly more disturbed than normal control children.