Metabolic and Endocrine ADRs of Atypical Antipsychotics (AAPs) in Paediatric Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Review of Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Implications for Clinical Monitoring.

Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) remain the most effective treatment to control irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although there is no pharmaceutical treatment to target the core symptoms of ASD, AAPs reduce their severity. However, AAPs have been reported to be associated with severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that may lead to long-term conditions such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Their prevalence varies depending on the type of AAP prescribed, age, ethnicity, gender, healthcare systems, and the severity of the ASD. Current ADR monitoring guidelines exist, but they are broad in scope and do not fully account for these factors. Therefore, the need to develop ADR monitoring guidelines considering these factors has increased with the expanded use of AAPs in paediatrics with ASD. This gap in knowledge and clinical practice highlights the ongoing need for research to explore these factors and how they can inform the creation of tailored guidelines for monitoring ADRs in this population.