Major Depressive Disorder in Children and Adolescents

Release Date: March 2009

Summary of Recommendations / Supporting Documents

---

This recommendation updates the Task Force's 2002 recommendation on Screening for Depression. In that year, the Task Force found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening of children or adolescents. An updated recommendation on Screening for Depression in Adults will be published in the next several months.

Summary of Recommendations

• The USPSTF recommends screening of adolescents (12-18 years of age) for major depressive disorder (MDD) when systems are in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal), and follow-up.
  Grade: B recommendation.
• The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening of children (7-11 years of age).
  Grade: I statement.

Top of Page

---

Supporting Documents

Screening for Major Depressive Disorder in Children and Adolescents, March 2009
Recommendation Statement (PDF File, 180 KB; PDF Help)
Article (PDF File, 240 KB; PDF Help)
Evidence Synthesis (PDF File, 3 MB; PDF Help)
Clinical Summary

Top of Page

Current as of March 2009

---

Internet Citation:

Screening for Major Depressive Disorder in Children and Adolescents, Topic Page. March 2009. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspschdepr.htm

---