No Change in Depression Seen in Children Across the Globe From 2004 to 2019
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2023 -- Depression in children younger than 13 years old is uncommon and did not increase substantially between 2004 and 2019, according to a review published online Aug. 28 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Michael J. Spoelma, from the University of New South Wales in Australia, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 studies from 2004 to 2019 that provided prevalence estimates for depressive disorders (i.e., major depressive disorder [MDD], dysthymia, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder [DMDD]) in children younger than 13 years old.
Based on 41 studies in children across the world, the researchers found pooled prevalence estimates were 1.07 percent for depressive disorders overall, 0.71 percent for MDD, 0.30 percent for dysthymia, and 1.60 percent for DMDD. There were no significant differences based on birth cohort, between males and females, or between high- and low-income countries. The risk for bias was low overall, except for DMDD, which was hampered by a lack of studies.
“These findings suggest that depression in childhood between 2004 and 2019 was uncommon and did not increase over time, but the lack of data beyond the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to be accounted for,” the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted August 2023
Read this next
Teens May Experience Delays in Bipolar Progression After Major Depressive Disorder
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Adolescents may experience delayed bipolar disorder (BD) progression after major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnosis, according to a study published online...
Teen Smartphone Use Positively Tied to Mood
THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- Adolescent smartphone use is positively associated with mood, according to a study published online May 29 in PLOS ONE. Matt Minich, Ph.D., and...
Changes in Gender Identity Not Tied to Depressive Symptoms in Youth
WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2024 -- Changes in gender identity are not associated with changes in depressive symptoms over time among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, according to a...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.