[Increased use of antipsychotics to children and adolescents - monitoring of effect and safety is needed].

Neuroleptics are important for the treatment of serious psychiatric conditions. Few neuroleptics are approved for use in children and adolescents. Side effects are common, and children experience them more often than adults, particularly metabolic effects. The number of prescriptions of neuroleptics to children aged 5-17 years has increased (from 5 to 23 per 1000 children during 2004-2023). Most children were prescribed second-generation antipsychotics, which is in accordance with national recommendations. The most prescribed drugs were risperidone and aripiprazole, but regional differences exist. Children treated with neuroleptics need to be monitored more frequently, but adequate follow-up measures are used according to our survey of 85 prescribers. There is a need for an in-depth analysis of children's use of antipsychotics and the risk of serious side effects.