Abstract
Objective: This study is aimed to evaluate the frequency of psychotropic drug use in under age 6, and determine the predictive variables of drug use.
Method: For six months, data of children aged up to 6 admitted to Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Child Psychiatry Department was evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 17.0. p<0.05 was accepted as significant.
Results: Total of 953 children under age 6 were recruited. Mean age was 3.5 years and 67.7% were male. 83.4% of all had at least one psychiatric disorder. The most common diagnosis was communication disorders (33.5%). Comorbid psychiatric disorder was found in 5.9% of all and the most comorbid diagnosis is oppositional defiant disorder (3.3%). Psychotropic drug use was found in 7.3%. The most commonly used drug was risperidone. (4%). Predictors of treatment were found as aged in 4-5 (p=0.002); male gender (p=0.049); anxiety (p<0.001); attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (p<0.001), pervasive developmental disorder (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The outcomes of our study may lead clinicians to augment demand of psychotropic medication use in preschool and toddler age groups. Our results could be useful for preferences of clinicians in treatment of children under age 6, and predictions of scientists working on these age groups in pharmaceutical industry.

Key words: psychotropic drug use, preschooler, toddler