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The use of antidepressants to treat depression in children and adolescents

Canadian Medical Association JournalPublished 16 January 2006Open access
Anthony H. Cheung
Citations70
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score0.92
SNIP1.00
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TL;DR

The current state of research into antidepressant therapy for major depression in children and adolescents is reviewed and methodologic issues and clinical implications specific to the pediatric population are discussed.

Abstract

The dramatic increase over the past 10 years in the amount of available clinical research on the use of antidepressants to treat major depression in children and adolescents has substantially improved our knowledge of the safety and efficacy of these medications in the pediatric population. Many questions remain, however, that highlight the need to continue research in this patient population rather than relying on the extrapolation of data from trials involving adults. In this article, we review the current state of research into antidepressant therapy for major depression in children and adolescents. In addition, we discuss methodologic issues and clinical implications specific to the pediatric population.

Keywords

PsychologySocial SciencesMedicine