[Depression in children and adolescents]

Depression in children and adolescents seems to be more common than it was 50 years ago. Figures of 0.5 to 2 per cent have been reported for the prevalence of prepubertal depression. After puberty, the prevalence increases and there is a marked female preponderance. In all likelihood, the prevalence of juvenile depression has also increased in Sweden as the figures for juvenile suicide increased between the 1950s and 1970s. Juvenile depression is recurrent and the risk of recurrence within 5-8 years has been determined to be 75-100 per cent. Before early adulthood, about 40 per cent of young people with depression are at risk of attempted suicide. The course of juvenile depression is chronic in at least 10 per cent of cases.