BACKGROUND: The prescription of psychotropic drugs for children is a sensitive and highly contentious subject which may explain the apparent lack of uniformity and consistency in clinical practice. METHOD: This review is based on Medline and manual search of the literature. RESULTS: More than 1000 relevant references were found, and information has been culled from all these. Fifty particularly relevant articles have been selected for the reference list. CONCLUSION: Recent years have seen considerable research in this field, and a clearer picture of the benefits and limitations of drug use in children is emerging.
BACKGROUND: The prescription of psychotropic drugs for children is a sensitive and highly contentious subject which may explain the apparent lack of uniformity and consistency in clinical practice. METHOD: This review is based on Medline and manual search of the literature. RESULTS: More than 1000 relevant references were found, and information has been culled from all these. Fifty particularly relevant articles have been selected for the reference list. CONCLUSION: Recent years have seen considerable research in this field, and a clearer picture of the benefits and limitations of drug use in children is emerging.