Study: Poor kids given more antipsychotics

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Poor U.S. children covered by Medicaid are prescribed powerful antipsychotic drugs more often than those under private healthcare, a study indicates.

Federally financed drug research performed by researchers from Rutgers and Columbia universities indicated the Medicaid children were prescribed such drugs at four times the rate of children whose parents have private insurance, The New York Times reported Saturday.

The newspaper said the study also found Medicaid children are more likely to get the anti-psychotics for less severe conditions than their wealthier counterparts.

The results came as a pediatric advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration met this week to examine the risks posed by the drugs, which have serious side effects such as causing drastic weight gain and metabolic changes that can cause lifelong physical problems, the Times said.