Pharmacological treatment of child and adolescent major depression

Controlled studies of the pharmacological treatment of child and adolescent major depression have lagged significantly behind adult studies. To date, definitive results demonstrating efficacy or the lack thereof for heterocyclic antidepressants do not exist for depression during either childhood or adolescence. This article reviews the available literature and suggests directions for future studies. In addition, the very few non-controlled studies of lithium and MAOIs in this population are also discussed.