Psychotropic medication use among children with autism spectrum disorders enrolled in a national registry, 2007-2008

J Autism Dev Disord. 2010 Mar;40(3):342-51. doi: 10.1007/s10803-009-0878-1.

Abstract

Patterns of current psychotropic medication use among 5,181 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) enrolled in a Web-based registry were examined. Overall, 35% used at least one psychotropic medication, most commonly stimulants, neuroleptics, and/or antidepressants. Those who were uninsured or exclusively privately insured were less likely to use >or=3 medications than were those insured by Medicaid. Psychiatrists and neurologists prescribed the majority of psychotropic medications. In multivariate analysis, older age, presence of intellectual disability or psychiatric comorbidity, and residing in a poorer county or in the South or Midwest regions of the United States increased the odds of psychotropic medication use. Factors external to clinical presentation likely affect odds of psychotropic medication use among children with ASD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autistic Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Autistic Disorder / epidemiology
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Prescription Drugs / administration & dosage*
  • Prescription Drugs / therapeutic use
  • Psychotropic Drugs / administration & dosage
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Psychotropic Drugs