title: How young is too young for psychotropic medication?
abstract: Approximately 1.5% of preschool-age children receive prescribed psychiatric medications, and most of these prescriptions are written for off-label indications. These circumstances create numerous ethical issues. Few studies support the use of psychotropic medications in children younger than age 6. In addition, the effects of these medications are not fully understood in young children with rapidly maturing brains and bodies. Suggestions for nurses are offered.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Nursing, 35294, USA. teenamcg@gmail.com
authors.forename: Teena M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: McGuinness
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000941:ethics; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs