Use of antipsychotic medications in pediatric populations: what do the data say?

View Abstract

Recent reports of antipsychotic medication use in pediatric populations describe large increases in rates of use. Much interest in the increasing use has focused on potentially inappropriate prescribing for non-Food and Drug Administration-approved uses and use amongst youth with no mental health diagnosis. Different studies of antipsychotic use have used different time periods, geographic and insurance populations of youth, and aggregations of diagnoses. We review recent estimates of use and comment on the similarities and dissimilarities in rates of use. We also report new data obtained on 11 health maintenance organizations that are members of the Mental Health Research Network in order to update and extend the knowledge base on use by diagnostic indication. Results indicate that most use in pediatric populations is for disruptive behaviors and not psychotic disorders. Differences in estimates are likely a function of differences in methodology; however, there is remarkable consistency in estimates of use by diagnosis.

Investigators
Abbreviation
Curr Psychiatry Rep
Publication Date
2013-12-07
Volume
15
Issue
12
Page Numbers
426
Pubmed ID
24258527
Medium
Print
Full Title
Use of antipsychotic medications in pediatric populations: what do the data say?
Authors
Penfold RB, Stewart C, Hunkeler EM, Madden JM, Cummings JR, Owen-Smith AA, Rossom RC, Lu CY, Lynch FL, Waitzfelder BE, Coleman KJ, Coleman KA, Ahmedani BK, Beck AL, Zeber JE, Simon GE