YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN A NEW STUDY WHICH APPEARS IN THIS MONTH’S
JAMA, QUESTIONING THE TREATMENT OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN (3 AND UNDER)
WITH PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS. HERE’S A SUMMARY AND A LINK.
Diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Use of
Psychotropic Medication in Very Young Children
Marsha D. Rappley, MD; Patricia B. Mullan, PhD; Francisco J. Alvarez;
Ihouma U. Eneli, MD; Jenny Wang, PhD; Joseph C. Gardiner, PhD
Conclusions
Children aged 3 years or younger had ADHD diagnosed and received
markedly variable psychotropic medication regimens. Little information
is available to guide these practices. The presence of comorbid
conditions and injuries attests to these children’s vulnerability.
Resources must be identified that will enable physicians to better
respond to the compelling needs of these children and their families.
Editor’s Note: The authors point out a pressing need to define better
diagnostic criteria and effective treatment in very young children.
There seems to be a real deficit in attention to this
problem.—Catherine D. DeAngelis, MD
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/issues/v153n10/full/poa8497.html
