Clonazepam as a Treatment of Excessive Infantile and Childhood Masturbation

Abstract

Background: Masturbation is a self-stimulating pleasurable behavior of the child, which occurs between the ages of 3 months and 5 years. Clonazepam was recorded to reduce the frequency of sexual behavior during sleep.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the benefits of adding clonazepam to the general behavioral treatment of infantile and childhood masturbation. Patients and methods: This was randomized controlled trails (RCTs) conducted on a total number of 52 infants and pre-adolescent children with masturbation attending the Neurology Outpatient Clinic in Mansoura University Children Hospital (MUCH). Patients were classified into 2 groups: Group on behavioral therapy and clonazepam and group on behavioral therapy only. The response was observed in both groups as regards the frequency after treatment and duration till complete response Results: Masturbation was common among females, and cases with moderate socioeconomic level. Combined therapy was associated with a significant improvement in response compared to behavioral therapy only. Conclusion: Combined behavioral therapy and clonazepam is more effective and superior to behavioral therapy alone in ameliorating masturbation phenomena in infants and children.