The schizophrenias are uncommon before the age of 14 but
incidence/prevalence figures are lacking. The 1-year incidence, clinical
features and short-term outcomes in childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum
disorder were evaluated via the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance
System. Fifteen children with a provisional diagnosis were reported. Outcome
data were obtained for 12 individuals, 8 of whom met the diagnostic
criteria, equating to an estimated incidence of 0.21/100 000 (95% CI
0.08–0.34). Delusions and thought disorder were a more consistent predictor
of ‘caseness' than hallucinations. Illness outcomes at 1 year were generally
poor. Childhood-onset schizophrenia appears to be a rare but serious
disorder.