Studies indicate wide geographic and ethnic variation in the numbers of children receiving psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin. In one study, the percentage of children receiving Ritalin was as high as 10 percent 2 to 3 times as high as the expected rate of attention deficit disorder. The percentage of boys receiving medication for attention deficit disorder in the fifth grade was as high as 20 percent. This wide variation in treatment patterns supports the need for more research to determine appropriate treatment protocols for children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Although little is known about the effects of over medication on children, unnecessary use of these medications can have adverse effects on the developing brain and the emotional and social development of young children.
More research is necessary to ensure informed treatment decisions.
More research is necessary to ensure that providers and parents have necessary information, especially about the impact of medication on brain development, to make appropriate treatment decisions. At today s meeting, the First Lady will announce a series of public and private actions designed to address the challenges posed by children with emotional and behavioral conditions. Initiation of a process for the development of pediatric labeling information for psychotropic drugs used in young children. Today, FDA will announce that it will work with its Pediatric Advisory Committee to design research protocols that will be used to develop new pediatric dosage information to be included on the labels of drugs such as methylphenidate, clonidine, and other drugs increasingly used in young children. These studies, which will begin after national research goals have been identified, will be designed to address ethical and scientific issues associated with the studies on this population.