Depression in children and adolescents

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#adolescent #child #depression #depressive-disorder #fluoxetine

Depression in children and adolescents

Hazell et al., 2009 | BMJ Clin Evid | Systematic Review

Citation

Hazell Philip. Depression in children and adolescents. BMJ Clin Evid. 2009-Jan-07;2009

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Depression may affect 2-8% of children and adolescents, with a peak incidence around puberty. It may be self-limiting, but about 40% of affected children experience a recurrent attack, a third of affected children will make a suicide attempt, and 3-4% will die from suicide. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of pharmacological, psychological, combination, and complementary treatments for depression in children and adolescents? What are the effects of treatments for refractory depression in children and adolescents? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to April 2008 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). RESULTS: We found 18 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions. CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: citalopram, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (individual or group, to prevent relapse), escitalopram, electroconvulsive therapy, family therapy, fluoxetine (alone or with cognitive therapy or CBT), fluvoxamine, group therapeutic support (other than CBT), guided self-help, individual psychodynamic psychotherapy, interpersonal therapy, lithium, mirtazapine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, paroxetine, sertraline (alone or with CBT), St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), tricyclic antidepressants, and venlafaxine.

Key Findings

We found 18 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Depression
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Fluoxetine
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic
  • Sexual Maturation

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: st.-john's-wort

Provenance

  • PMID: 19445770
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: PMC2907806
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09