Depression in Children

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (89 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post-Assessment Questions

9

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

7 Jul 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


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Activity Description

Pediatric depression includes major depressive disorder (MDD), disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder. Among these, MDD is a leading cause of disability in adolescents in this age group. The etiology is multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and neurobiological risk factors that contribute to depression in children and adolescents. Screening is recommended for adolescents aged 12 to 18 with validated tools, and a comprehensive evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis. Diagnosis requires a thorough clinical evaluation and differentiation from other conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and medical illnesses that mimic depressive symptoms. Treatment aims for complete remission and functional recovery through a biopsychosocial approach, combining psychotherapy (first-line for mild-to-moderate cases) and pharmacotherapy. Prevention strategies encompass school-based programs, family interventions, and policy initiatives designed to support healthy development.

This activity focuses on the latest evidence-based strategies for identifying, diagnosing, and managing pediatric depression, with an emphasis on early intervention and improving long-term outcomes. This activity highlights the role of validated screening tools, structured clinical interviews, and standardized assessment scales in enhancing diagnostic accuracy across various care settings. This activity also explores established and emerging treatment modalities, including pharmacologic interventions, digital health tools, and single-session therapies, providing clinicians with practical approaches to individualized care. This activity further examines novel research findings that inform prevention strategies aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of depressive disorders in youth. This activity highlights the importance of interprofessional collaboration among healthcare providers in delivering comprehensive, developmentally appropriate care.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical features and diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents according to DSM-5 guidelines.

  • Implement evidence-based treatment plans that integrate pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, and psychosocial interventions to optimize patient outcomes.

  • Select appropriate pharmacological agents, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, based on patient age, symptom severity, safety profile, and response history.

  • Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare teams to support comprehensive care, ensuring continuity and sustained mental health recovery.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Physicians and Physician Associates: StatPearls, LLC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians and PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.50 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pathology: Successful completion of this Continuing Certification activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.50 Lifelong Learning (CME) credits in the American Board of Pathology’s Continuing Certification Program.

American Board of Pediatrics: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.50 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.

American Board of Surgery: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirement(s) of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

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Unlimited Physician CME

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6690 CME activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7952.5 hours of CME.

Learn About Lifetime CME

6 Month Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$199 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Physician CME

Access to all the Unlimited Physician CME activities in all specialties.

$299 per 1 year per user