Psychiatrikē = Psychiatriki
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Medication can be an effective part of treatment for several psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence but its use should be based on a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and treatment plan. The aim of this study was to evaluate psychotropic medication use for children and adolescents treated as inpatients and to compare it with principles of rational pharmacotherapy, thus identifying possible downsides of current practices and pointing a way towards safer and more efficient practices. This is a descriptive study of prescribing trends at the Clinical Department for Children and Adolescents of the Institute of Mental Health in Belgrade, during the period from September 2009 to September 2010. ⋯ Current drug-prescribing practices at the Clinical Department for Children and Adolescents of the Institute of Mental Health in Belgrade are in accordance with current practices in the United States and Europe. Not every child with symptoms of mental health problems needs pharmacological treatment; when they do, the general rule of thumb should be "start low, go slow, and taper slowly". Follow-up studies are necessary to assess the change of trends, as well as studies in different patient populations and health centers, in order to globally evaluate psychotropic medication use in children and adolescents in Serbia.