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Depressive symptoms and SSRI use in pediatric oncology patients

Leslie S Kersun1, Josephine Elia

  • 1Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. segall@email.chop.edu

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|April 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Recognizing depression in children with cancer is challenging. This review covers selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for pediatric cancer patients, discussing their use, side effects, and metabolism.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Depressive symptoms are a significant concern in pediatric cancer patients.
  • Accurate recognition and management of depression in this vulnerable population present unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the recognition, prevalence, risk factors, and treatment of depressive symptoms in pediatric cancer patients.
  • To provide a reference on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for physicians, including adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on depressive symptoms in pediatric cancer.
  • Analysis of data regarding SSRI use, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism in this patient group.

Main Results:

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the primary pharmacological treatment, though data on their use in pediatric cancer is limited.
  • Understanding SSRI adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism is crucial for informed prescription.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed, including routine depression screening and prospective evaluation of SSRI treatment in children with cancer.
  • Enhanced physician recognition of depression is essential for timely and effective intervention.

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