Depression in type 1 diabetes in children: natural history and correlates

The combination of diabetes and depression in children and adolescents is largely unstudied. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the natural history and correlates of comorbid diabetes and depression in children and adolescents. Children with diabetes have a two-fold greater prevalence of depression, and adolescents up to three-fold greater, than youth without diabetes. Correlates of depression and diabetes include gender, poorer metabolic control, and family behaviors. Very little is known about treatment in these youth, and more studies are indicated.