Janet L. Valluzzi, MBA, OTR/L, Division of Statistical Research and Methods, Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, (301) 427-1646, jvalluzz@ahrq.gov, Sharon L. Larson, PhD, Division of Social and Economic Research, Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, and G. Edward Miller, PhD, Division of Modeling and Simulation, Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.

There is evidence that psychotropic drug use in children has increased; however, there have not been any national trend estimates of prevalence of use over time. This analysis utilizes the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data, in combination with other pharmaceutical data sources, to provide national estimates of children’s psychotropic drug use. In each year from 1996-1999, the estimated total population of children ages 5-17 in the United States ranged from 51.7 to 53.1 million, and the estimated percentage of children using psychotropic drugs each year ranged from 3.8 to 4.7 percent. The mean annual use ranged from 0.28 to 0.34 psychotropic drug prescriptions per year and increased each year. Characteristics of children who use psychotropic drugs, such as gender, racial and ethnic background, income level, and insurance status are described. About 26% of children aged 5-17 who used psychotropic drugs were reported by parents as using special education services. Latent class analysis is used to examine the contribution of parent reported school or home behaviors to enrollment in special education services by children who use psychotropic drugs.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify national trends in psychotropic drug use in children, ages 5-17, during the years 1996-1999;
• To describe characteristics of the population of children, ages 5-17, who use psychotropic drugs; and
• To examine the relationship of parent-reported school or home behaviors to enrollment in special education services by children who use psychotropic drugs.

Keywords: Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Disability

Related Web page: www.meps.ahrq.gov/default.htm; http://www.multum.com/Lexicon.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Multum Drug Lexicon
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.