Stimulant medication use in children: a 12-year perspective
Samuel H Zuvekas1, Benedetto Vitiello
1Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD, USA.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|March 16, 2012
Summary
Pediatric stimulant medication use for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased from 1996 to 2008, driven by adolescent use. Disparities in ADHD treatment persist by race, ethnicity, and region.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Stimulant medications are a primary treatment for ADHD.
- Understanding trends in ADHD medication use is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trends in stimulant medication utilization for ADHD treatment in U.S. children from 1996 to 2008.
- To identify demographic and regional variations in stimulant use.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey database (1996–2008).
- Inclusion of children aged 18 and younger diagnosed with ADHD.
- Recalculation of 1987 data for historical reference.
Main Results:
- Overall pediatric stimulant use increased from 2.4% in 1996 to 3.5% in 2008.
- Adolescent stimulant use saw significant growth (6.5% annually), while preschooler use declined.
- Consistent regional (lower in the West) and sex (higher in boys) disparities were observed; racial/ethnic minorities used stimulants less.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric stimulant use for ADHD has steadily increased, mainly due to adolescent uptake.
- Preschooler stimulant use remains low and has decreased.
- Persistent disparities in stimulant use by race, ethnicity, and region highlight heterogeneity in ADHD treatment approaches.
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