Increased Use of Antidepressants by Children

In recent decades, large increases have been reported in psychotropic drug use among children. These researchers, who previously investigated psychotropic drug use in preschoolers (Journal Watch Psychiatry Apr 1 2000), have studied pediatric antidepressant use in 2 Medicaid facilities (in Midwest and Midle Atlantic states) and in an HMO in the Northwest from 1988 to 1994 (records of over 800,000 pediatric patients were reviewed for each year). Records were examined for type of antidepressant, age range, and sex; Medicaid records also were examined for type of care (general pediatric vs. psychiatric) and diagnoses.

Over 7 years, the use of antidepressants increased 3- to 5-fold. From ages 10 to 14, boys received more antidepressant prescripti…