(dailyRx News) Across the nation, thoughts about the mental
health of children in our foster care system yield worry. So
much so that researchers decided to look into their
antipsychotic usage to examine the validity of these concerns.
Available through the journal Pediatrics, a recent study
analyzes the number of antipsychotic medications used within
Medicaid programs. Results demonstrate that children in foster
care use more medications for a longer periods of time than any
other program. Comparing multiple Medicaid programs, including
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF), and foster care, a multivariable analysis
assessed associations between the program category and
antipsychotic use. The analysis adjusted for demographics,
psychiatric co-morbidities, and other psychotropic use. Results
showed that average antipsychotic usage ranged from roughly 222
days in foster care to only 135 days in TANF. Moreover, 19
percent of those in foster care used more than one an