title: Psychotropic medication use in children with autism in the Kentucky Medicaid population.
abstract: This study reviewed Kentucky Medicaid claims data for children with autism spectrum disorders to determine psychotropic drug (PTD) use in this population. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ICD-9 code 299.XX) in 3 different age-groups from 2005 to 2008 were identified; PTD use was defined as at least 1 prescription per year. PTD use in all age ranges was higher than in previously reported studies. High PTD use in children between 1 and 5 years is particularly of concern and may reflect perceived inadequacies of comprehensive educational/behavioral services for these children.
authors.affiliation: Weisskopff Child Evaluation Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA. pgwill01@louisville.edu
authors.forename: P Gail
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Deborah Winders
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Radmacher
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001337:Autonomic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007629:Kentucky; D008484:Medicaid; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D001337:Autonomic Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs