Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents

Bipolar disorder is an affective or mood disorder that affects children and adolescents as well as adults. Originally thought to be rare in childhood, this disorder is now diagnosed even in the prepubertal age group. With pediatricians providing health care for the majority of children and adolescents, these physicians will see the children early in their presentation with affective disorder. This review focuses on the early recognition of children with bipolar disorder or children who are at increased risk of developing mania. Early recognition can lead to early treatment and reduce both short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. This review covers the definition, epidemiology, presentation and differential diagnosis, comorbid diagnoses, precipitants, risk factors, treatment, and outcome.