In an overview article, introductory remarks on historical development of the term psychosis in paedopsychiatry were given. Schizophrenia in childhood and adolescence is more rare than in adult population - only 4 % of schizofrenic disorders begins before the 15th year of age.
Various expresions of schizophrenic psychopatology depending on age as well as on developmental stage reached were described. Differencial diagnostics involves somatic and psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder, non-psychotic behavioral disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder).
Atypical neuroleptics become more and more used treatment option. Clinical experiences with clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine were published.