Depressive symptoms and SSRI use in pediatric oncology patients.
This review of depressive symptoms in pediatric cancer patients describes the challenge of recognizing depression in this group, prevalence, risk factors, and treatment, primarily with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Pediatric oncologists prescribe SSRIs, but there is limited data regarding their use in this setting. Adverse effects, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of SSRIs are reviewed to provide a reference for physicians and inform choices for SSRI prescription. Ongoing research includes incorporation of routine screening measures for depression and future studies might focus on physician recognition and prospectively evaluating treatment for children with cancer and depressive symptoms.
Kersun
Leslie S
LS
Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. segall@email.chop.edu
Elia
Josephine
J
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors