title: Use of psychotropic drugs, systemic antihistamines and medications for cough in 6-year-old children: a survey in the Bas-Rhin Region, France.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of drugs in France is among the highest in developed countries. Among them, psychotropic medication in children has always been a matter of concern. Furthermore, on the basis of concerns about safety and efficacy, international authorities have either advised against the use of cough and cold medication or considered such an action. This survey aims to assess the prevalence of use of psychotropic drugs, antihistamines and medications for cough as well as parents' knowledge about the drugs used in 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is based on a representative sample of 6-year-old children who were in kindergarten in 2009. School physicians asked their parents to answer a standardized questionnaire. Data were collected about the child, his or her family, and the consumption of psychotropic drugs, antihistamines, and medications for cough in the past 12 months. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system was used to classify the drugs used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data from 5707 children were analyzed. The proportion of children who consumed at least one psychotropic drug was 0.68% (ATC code N). Antihistamines for systemic use were by far the most frequently consumed drugs (ATC code R06), with a prevalence of 17.54%. The great majority of antihistamines for systemic use were meant to treat cough, not insomnia or agitation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of psychotropic drugs was low in 2009 in the French region of Bas-Rhin. The promotion of alternatives to antihistamines for systemic use to treat cough should nevertheless be strengthened.
authors: Laboratoire d'épidémiologie et de santé publique - EA 3430, Faculté de médecine, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg Cedex 67085, France. florence.binder@unistra.fr
authors: Florence
authors: F
authors: Binder-Foucard
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Reitzer
authors: Jérémie
authors: J
authors: Jégu
authors: Brigitte
authors: B
authors: Schweitzer
authors: Fabienne
authors: F
authors: Koehl
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Kopferschmitt
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Velten
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005602:France; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs