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European Journal of Pediatrics

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01-04-2007 | Original Paper

Use of psychotropic medications in Italian children and adolescents

Authors: Antonio Clavenna, Elisa Rossi, Marisa DeRosa, Maurizio Bonati

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 4/2007

Abstract

Introduction

The evidence of psychotropic drug safety and efficacy in the pediatric population is scant and widely debated. Yet, the prescription prevalence and incidence are increasing. A drug utilization study, based on a multiregional prescription database was therefore carried out in a sample of 1,484,770 Italian children and adolescents younger than 18 years during the year 2004. Furthermore, the trend of psychotropic prescription prevalence was evaluated from 1998 to 2004. During 2004, 4,316 children and adolescents received psychotropic drugs (2.91‰ youths). Antidepressants were prescribed to 3,503 youths (2.36‰), antipsychotics to 1,005 (0.68‰), and lithium to 73 (0.05‰). A total of 265 youths received drugs from more than one psychotropic class. The prevalence rate of psychotropic drug prescriptions increased with increasing age, with a statistically significant trend ($\chi ^{2}_{t} = 2443$; p<0.0001), and it increased in the period 1998–2004 with a statistically significant trend ($ \chi ^{2}_{t} = 298 $; p<0.0001), reaching its highest value in 2002 (3.08‰). The trend for antidepressants was similar ($ \chi ^{2}_{t} = 501 $; p<0.0001), while the prevalence of antipsychotics did not increase.

Conclusion

Even though the prevalence of psychotropic drug prescriptions in Italian children is lower than that reported in other countries (e.g. United States, Canada, Netherlands, UK), the increase in antidepressant prescriptions raises some concerns. Data concerning safety and efficacy of these antidepressants in pediatrics are still limited and further studies are needed to guarantee evidence based therapeutic approaches in children, adolescents and their families.

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Title: Use of psychotropic medications in Italian children and adolescents
Authors: Antonio Clavenna
Elisa Rossi
Marisa DeRosa
Maurizio Bonati
Publication date: 01-04-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 4/2007
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-006-0244-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Use of psychotropic medications in Italian children and adolescents

Abstract

Introduction

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Conclusion

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