Antidepressant Use in Children
While evidence is still being gathered on their efficacy, side effects, and safety, physicians continue to see children and adolescents who require medication to relieve symptoms of anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, or major depression.
An April 18, 2007, JAMA article, “Clinical Response and Risk for Reported Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in Pediatric Antidepressant Treatment” uses meta-analysis to examine 27 studies where adverse events data include suicide attempts or suicidal ideation. It explores the pros and cons of using serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other second-generation antidepressant medications in children and adolescents. The study’s authors have concluded antidepressants can be efficacious in treating these disorders in children and adolescents and the benefits outweigh the risks.
"While acknowledging that prescribing medications to children involves a risk/benefits analysis, failing to adequately treat serious psychiatric conditions contributes to morbidity and mortality of children. There is a 15 percent mortality rate from suicide in untreated depression," said Barry Fisher, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society.
“Further, these medications may have a protective effect regarding suicide risk for many patients. This fact led the FDA to modify its black box warning on antidepressant medications to reflect these important findings," he added.
Physicians who have made the decision to prescribe an antidepressant for a child or adolescent can find resources, such as this article offered by the Mayo Clinic, to help families and patients better understand the benefits as well as the risks.
Last Updated: 8/14/2008