AUTHOR=Di Luzio Michelangelo , Pontillo Maria , Villa Marianna , Attardi Anna Gaia , Bellantoni Domenica , Di Vincenzo Cristina , Vicari Stefano 

TITLE=Clinical features and comorbidity in very early-onset schizophrenia: a systematic review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1270799

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1270799

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Background. Very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS) is a form of schizophrenia that manifests before the age of 13 years and is characterized by the presence of positive, negative, and disorganized symptoms. The condition is exceptionally rare and, to date, only limited studies have been conducted, resulting in incomplete information about its clinical features. Methods. The present study involved a systematic review of the existing literature regarding the clinical features and comorbidities of VEOS. Results. The first search retrieved 384 studies. Of these, 366 were removed following the application of exclusion criteria, resulting in 18 studies for the final set. Conclusions. The results highlight that VEOS shares similarities with early-onset and adult-onset schizophrenia, but also exhibits distinct and recognizable characteristics, including a more severe clinical profile (particularly in females), increased visual hallucinations, and high comorbidities with This is a provisional file, not the final typeset article neurodevelopmental disorders. These findings may support clinicians in formulating early diagnoses and developing effective treatment strategies for pediatric and adolescent patients with psychosis.