Depression and learning disabilities in children.

Occurrence of learning disabilities was determined in 30 inpatient children aged 6-12 with major depressive disorder (MDD). Learning disabilities (LD) occurred seven times more often compared to community base rates (33% v 4.7%). While rates of comorbid diagnoses, severity of depression, and children's and parents' reports (DICA-C, DICA-P) did not differ between groups, teachers' reports (TRS, TRF) indicated increased classroom problems and poorer adaptive functioning in MDD/LD subjects (P < 0.0001).