Stimulant medication in pre-school children in New South Wales

Autor: Yalcke, Eysbouts, Alison, Poulton, Pia, Salmelainen
Rok vydání: 2011
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of paediatrics and child health. 47(12)
ISSN: 1440-1754
Popis: The aims of this study were: (i) to examine the annual treatment rate of children under 4 years from 1997 to 2006; (ii) to compare their treatment rate and attrition with that of children starting treatment at the modal age; (iii) to describe the clinical characteristics of children aged less than 4 years and their response to stimulant medication for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.Retrospective study of electronic prescription and authority records of the New South Wales Department of Health and a review of clinical reports.The annual treatment initiation rate for children under 4 years showed a progressive decline over the decade. In 2001, 13.6% of the children starting treatment were aged 7 years (modal age); those aged4 years represented 1.1% of the total. There was no significant difference in attrition rate between these two groups. For those aged4 years with clinical reports available (n= 235), oppositional behaviour and developmental problems were reported frequently (78 and 43%, respectively). Non-pharmacological interventions were implemented in 77% and non-stimulant medications were prescribed in 50%. For 76% of children, an improvement in behaviour was reported after stimulant therapy.Children treated with stimulant medication aged4 years were a small subgroup with a high rate of co-morbidity. The majority were perceived to have a favourable response to stimulant medication. However, there was a disturbingly high rate of prescribing of other psychotropic medications of known toxicity and unproven efficacy.
Databáze: OpenAIRE