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. 1999 Nov;89(11):1732–1735. doi: 10.2105/ajph.89.11.1732

Psychotropic medication use among children in foster care: relationship to severe psychiatric disorders.

B T Zima 1, R Bussing 1, G M Crecelius 1, A Kaufman 1, T R Belin 1
PMCID: PMC1508994  PMID: 10553397

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe the level of psychotropic medication use and its relationship to severe psychiatric disorders among school-aged children in foster care. METHODS: Home interviews with 302 foster parents and children aged 6 to 12 years and 266 follow-up clinical evaluations were conducted. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of the children had taken psychotropic medication in the previous year, and 52% of those whose clinical status merited a medication evaluation had not received medication in the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: As the efficacy of psychotropic medication treatment for severe child psychiatric disorders becomes more established, research on the appropriateness of such care can begin.

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Selected References

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