Use of psychotropic drugs in 0 to 5 years old children in Aquitaine (France): prevalence and associated factors

Purpose To describe the use of psychotropic drugs in children aged 0–5 years, in the Aquitaine region of South‐west France and identify associated socio‐demographic, familial and medical factors. Methods Data used in this study come from the regional drug claims database of the National Health Insurance System of Aquitaine and from postal self‐questionnaires sent to parents and prescribing physicians. Results In Aquitaine, psychotropic drugs were redeemed at least once in 2002 for 3.2% of young children. Hydroxyzine, niaprazide or diazepam were claimed at least once by 2.7% of children registered in the database. Prescribers were mostly general practitioners (76.7%) and pediatricians (20.1%). Psychotropic claims were more frequent in children having the highest number of medical consultations in 2002 (more than 7: odds ratio (OR) = 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–1.7]) or of drug deliveries (7–15 deliveries: OR = 1.8 [95%CI: 1.6–2.1]; more than 15 deliveries: OR = 3.2 [95%CI: 2.7–3.9]). Psychotropic claim frequency increased with age. No association of psychotropic use with parental psychotropic use, socio‐professional category and familial situation was found. Conclusions Psychotropic delivery prevalence in Aquitaine in young children was below 5% in 2002. It notably concerned drugs of which the use is not devoid of toxicity because of anticholinergic properties. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.