Preschool Depression

Abstract

The validity of major depressive disorder (MDD) in childhood has been well established, with the disorder now widely recognized and treated in mental health settings.^1-4 Beginning with the seminal work of Kovacs et al,^5,6 over the past 2 decades empirical data have shown that MDD in school-aged children (aged 6-12 years) is a serious clinical condition characterized by a relapsing course and is not merely a developmentally transient phenomenon.^7,8 Longitudinal data from clinical samples of school-aged children with depression have demonstrated recurrence rates of 40% after 2 years and 70% after 5 years.^5,6,9 Genetic vulnerability for MDD, the experience of stressful life events, as well as the presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders during childhood have emerged as key risk factors for depression onset and recurrence at school age as well as later in life.^10-14