[Depression in childhood]

Depressive syndromes occur at any age and require appropriate therapy. Available classifications include the French Classification of Mental Disorders in Children, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IIIrd edition Revised (DSM-III-R), and the International Classification of Diseases. Prevalence of depression approximates 1% to 3% in children and adults. Recent studies have investigated relationships between depression and anxiety or behavior disorders familial clustering of depression, and adult outcome of depression in children and adolescents. Early onset of major depression (before the age of 20) is an established risk factor for depression in adulthood. Pediatricians may encounter depression in emotionally deprived infants (hospitalism), victims of child abuse, and children who attempt suicide. Concepts concerning major affective disorders are changing; adolescents have specific characteristics regarding symptoms and risk of subsequent relapsing disease. Although biochemical and sleep pattern markers have not as yet been adequately studied in pediatric patients, the clinical efficacy of drug therapy has been established.