Prescription of Psychotropic Medication in Pediatric Oncology: Issues, Specificities and Recommendations

The prescription of a psychotropic drug to a child or adolescent with cancer is not an innocuous act. The prescription rules in force in this age group as well as the specificities related to the particular context of oncology must be taken into account and respected. The identification of psychic disorders that can benefit from the implementation of a psychotropic treatment is a complex process that involves collaboration between psychologists and child psychiatrists as well as with the entire pediatric oncology care team. The scientific literature, although relatively rare, shows that psychotropic prescriptions are quite frequent and are not systematically evaluated by a psychologist or child psychiatrist. Recommendations for the modalities and rules for prescribing psychotropic medication to children and adolescents with cancer are then provided.