Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #98648

Tami Wisniewski, MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 185 S. Orange Ave., PO Box 1709, Newark, NJ 07101-1709, 973-972-4422, wiz1019@optonline.net, Michael Brimacombe, PhD, Preventive Medicine, New Jersey Medical School & School of Public Health - UMDNJ, 185 S. Orange Ave. (MSB F-647), P.O. Bo x 1709, Newark, NJ 07101-1709, and X. Ming, MD PhD, Neurology, New Jersey Medical School, 185 S. Orange Ave, P.O. Box 1709, Newark, NJ 07101-1709.

Objective. To determine the numbers and quality of studies conducted on psychotropic substances prescribed to developmentally disabled children in three categories: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability (ID). Methods. Searches were conducted on Medline and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register between June 1 and August 1, 2004. Peer-reviewed, published studies from domestic and international journals, written in English were included. We included only studies focused on children up to 20 years of age, had a minimal sample size of ten participants, and were conducted between 1994 and 2004, inclusive. Results. We identified 304 studies, with 37 instances of overlap: 248 studies in ADHD, 33 in ASD, and 23 in ID. Of 277 studies with available design data, 137 (49.5%) employed a double blind placebo controlled design. Of 291 studies with available sample size data, 118 (40.5%) were conducted with sample sizes of less than 30 participants. Of 304 studies, 184 (60.5%) were focused on methylphenidate. The remaining 39.5% included 120 studies conducted on other stimulants, antidepressants, alpha agonists, and mood stabilizers. Conclusions. The use of psychotropic medications in children involves a delicate balance between managing symptoms and assessing the safety and efficacy of such medications. Our findings indicate that many studies conducted on children lack scientific rigor, and may or may not adequately address safety and efficacy of their use. Until such assessments are made through sound scientific studies, the use of psychotropic medications in this population should be treated with caution and concern.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to

• Assess the quality of studies conducted on psychotropic medications in the developmentally disabled child population.
• Discuss potential areas for improvement of such studies within the child population.
• Identify future research possibilities.

Keywords: Disability, Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.