Relation of intelligence to childhood depression in children referred to an educational diagnostic center

With the development and application of specific diagnostic criteria, depression has been clarified as a major cause of behavioral disturbance in children. 62% of a group of 100 prepubertal children with school problems fulfilled the criteria for childhood depression. There was no significant difference in age, sex, grade level, intelligence quotient, or school skills achievement in the depressed versus nondepressed children. The family history was positive for psychiatric illness in 71% and for depression in 42% of the depressed children. In the depressed children, episodic hyperactivity and secondary enuresis were evident during the depressive episode.