USE OF ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: RISKS AND BENEFITS

Key words: Antidepressants, Efficacy, Safety, Suicide risk

The increased use of antidepressant drugs in children and adolescents in the last years and the reports of suicides and self aggressive behaviours, especially among SSRI users, highlight the need for safety and efficacy evaluation of these drugs in younger patients. When choising the best depression treatment strategy, paediatricians and infantile neuropsychiatrists should consider several factors, such as age, access to care and familiar context.