Psychotropic medication use in children and adolescents: a study from France.
OBJECTIVE
In Europe, little information exists on the pediatric use of psychotropic medication. This study aimed to describe the extent and patterns of psychotropic medication use in children and adolescents enrolled in a large health plan (MGEN) in France, and its evolution in recent years.


METHODS
MGEN affiliates aged 0 to 17 years were randomly selected at the end of three consecutive years, 2003 (n = 6534), 2004 (n = 6625), and 2005 (n = 6704). Reimbursement claims were organized into three 1-year cross-sectional data sets. Results are detailed for the year 2003 only.


RESULTS
In 2003, psychotropic medication, principally anxiolytics and hypnotics, concerned 3.3% of children and adolescents, of whom 35.0% used only herbal drugs. General practitioners were found to be behind most of these prescriptions (63.5%) and, worryingly, 15.1% were drugs restricted to adult use. Nevertheless, most psychotropic medication users (71.0%) had only one prescription. In general, psychotropic medication users received a relatively good medical follow-up. Similar results were found for the years 2004 and 2005.


CONCLUSIONS
No increasing trend in prevalence was found. However, a subject for concern is the proportion of psychotropic drugs with no market authorization for pediatric use that were prescribed to young patients.
Sevilla-Dedieu
Christine
C
MGEN Foundation for Public Health and the University of Paris René Descartes, Paris, France. csevilla@mgen.fr
Kovess-Masféty
Viviane
V
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs