The objective of the study was to investigate possibilities of the use of atypical neuroleptics in three selected areas of paedopsychiatry: in early onset schizophrenia, in bipolar affective disorder and in pervasive developmental disorders. In the introduction the authors describe the history, theoretical background and classification of atypical neuroleptics. A more detailed account is given of neuroleptics which were already used in paedopsychiatry - clozapine, risperidon and olanzapine. In early onset schizophrenia the effectiveness of atypical neuroleptics on negative symptoms and cognitive deficiencies, is emphasized which could have a favourable impact on the prevalence and intensity of the deficiency syndrome. The implemented clinical studies of clozapine, risperidon and olanzapine are described. In bipolar affective disorder, according to studies in the adult population, atypical neuroleptics are promising drugs also promising in children, so far however experience in the child population is lacking. As regards pervasive developmental disorders, in particular risperidon proved useful. The authors present a review of its use in different clinical investigations. To conclude it may be stated that atypical neuroleptics appear to be suitable for effective and safe therapeutic intervention in paedopsychiatry.

        Key words: atypical neuroleptics, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, early onset schizophrenia, bipolar