Psychotropic medication in children: A study from the Netherlands

Objective. Although there is a global concern about the increased use of ps ychotropic agents in children, most research literature originates in the U nited States and is based on figures from the first half of the 1990s. Also , few studies document the use of various types of psychotropic agents. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of psychotropic medicat ion in children in the Netherlands and to determine whether this correspond s with previously reported figures from the United States. Methods. A drug utilization study based on computerized pharmacy dispensing records was conducted from 1995 to 1999 for children aged 0 to 19 years in the north of the Netherlands. Results. Stimulants were the most widely used psychotropic agents among 0- to 19-year-olds (prevalence: 7.4/1000 in 1999), followed by hypnotics/anxio lytics (6.9/1000) and antidepressants (4.4/1000). Prevalence rates of stimu lants increased from 1.5/1000 in 1995 to 7.4/1000 in 1999. Incidence rates, proportion of girls, and duration of stimulant treatment increased as well . Changes in prevalence rates of other psychotropic agents were much smalle r than those of stimulants. Finally, the vast majority of children who were treated with psychotropic agents used only 1 agent at a time. Conclusion. The prevalence of stimulant use in the Netherlands is much lowe r than reported previously (28/1000 children in 1995) from the United State s, and differences also existed with regard to the use of other psychotropi c agents and combinations of psychotropic agents. However, the increase in Dutch stimulant use agrees with the previously reported 2.5-fold increase i n the United States and shows that the increased use of stimulants is not l imited to the United States.