Research from Britain is suggesting that an increasing number of children are being prescribed anti-psychotic drugs to treat a range of conditions which are not licensed for use in children.
The researchers say the long-term safety of using them for children for conditions such as hyperactivity and autism has not been established.
In a study by Professor Ian Wong from the London School of Pharmacy it was found that numbers grew from 0.39 per 1,000 under-18s in 1992 to 0.77 per 1,000 in 2005 and the largest increase was in the seven to 12 age group.
While some research has suggested that drugs such as ripseridone in some instances can be very effective in calming children with autism and helping with some behavioural problems, experts warn that such powerful drugs must be used with caution among the under 15s.
Professor Ian Wong says while these drugs can be very effective, the long-term consequences, especially on a young, developing brain, remain unknown.
Such drugs are licensed for use with adults but there is a dearth of clinical research to support their use in children except for certain conditions such as schizophrenia.
However doctors nevertheless can prescribe them for children using their own professional judgment and responsibility.
Some experts have suggested that as well as affecting a child's growing brain, there may also be implications for the cardiovascular system and such drugs also carry serious and harmful side-effects which need to be balanced against any benefit for the child or its parents; these include substantial weight gain and tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable tongue and facial movements).
Professor Wong says parents should not take their child off the medication if it is working, but rather consult regularly with their doctor regarding the medication.
The research comes at a time when drugs such as Prozac and other anti-depressants have come under close scrutiny.
Wong says children on anti-psychotic medication are more likely to die earlier which though it may not be directly caused by the drug it is a concern.