Jessica Douglas1, Jan Scott. 1. Department of Paediatric Clinical Psychology, Children's Services, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Gender-specific rates of unipolar and bipolar disorders are well established for cases with post-pubertal onset. However, there is less certainty about these rates in pre-pubertal children. We undertook a systematic review of community studies that report gender-specific rates for unipolar and bipolar disorders in young children, particularly cases of major depression and mania. METHOD: Computer databases (Medline, EMBASE, Index to Theses, and PsychInfo) were searched for non-clinical observational studies using recognized diagnostic criteria to identify unipolar and bipolar disorders in children aged ≤ 12 years. A meta-analysis was undertaken to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) for caseness for major depression by gender. The limited data on bipolar disorder were summarized. RESULTS: Analysis of 12 studies (>15,000 children), indicated that the community prevalence of unipolar disorders was higher in boys (1.3%) than in girls (0.8%). Rates of major depression were low (0.61%), but boys were significantly more likely to meet diagnostic criteria than girls (OR = 1.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.11-2.35). Five studies, assessing >5,000 children, identified only one case with a probable diagnosis of mania. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests that boys aged ≤ 12 years are significantly more likely to experience major depression than girls. However, in younger children, community rates of major depression are low, and it is frequently suggested (but not proven) that most cases are comorbid. The absence of mania suggests either that childhood bipolar phenotypes do not resemble post-pubertal onset cases or that there are problems of case ascertainment.
OBJECTIVES: Gender-specific rates of unipolar and bipolar disorders are well established for cases with post-pubertal onset. However, there is less certainty about these rates in pre-pubertal children. We undertook a systematic review of community studies that report gender-specific rates for unipolar and bipolar disorders in young children, particularly cases of major depression and mania. METHOD: Computer databases (Medline, EMBASE, Index to Theses, and PsychInfo) were searched for non-clinical observational studies using recognized diagnostic criteria to identify unipolar and bipolar disorders in children aged ≤ 12 years. A meta-analysis was undertaken to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) for caseness for major depression by gender. The limited data on bipolar disorder were summarized. RESULTS: Analysis of 12 studies (>15,000 children), indicated that the community prevalence of unipolar disorders was higher in boys (1.3%) than in girls (0.8%). Rates of major depression were low (0.61%), but boys were significantly more likely to meet diagnostic criteria than girls (OR = 1.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.11-2.35). Five studies, assessing >5,000 children, identified only one case with a probable diagnosis of mania. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests that boys aged ≤ 12 years are significantly more likely to experience major depression than girls. However, in younger children, community rates of major depression are low, and it is frequently suggested (but not proven) that most cases are comorbid. The absence of mania suggests either that childhood bipolar phenotypes do not resemble post-pubertal onset cases or that there are problems of case ascertainment.
Authors: Bruna Velazquez; Sandra Petresco; Rivka Pereira; Claudia Buchweitz; Pedro H Manfro; Arthur Caye; Helen L Fisher; Brandon A Kohrt; Valeria Mondelli; Christian Kieling Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2022 May-Jun
Authors: Martine Vallarino; Chantal Henry; Bruno Etain; Lillian J Gehue; Craig Macneil; Elizabeth M Scott; Angelo Barbato; Philippe Conus; Stefanie A Hlastala; Mary Fristad; David J Miklowitz; Jan Scott Journal: Lancet Psychiatry Date: 2015-05-27 Impact factor: 27.083
Authors: Robert Yuzen Chen; Jordan Robert Feltes; William Shun Tzeng; Zoe Yunzhu Lu; Michael Pan; Nan Zhao; Rebecca Talkin; Kavon Javaherian; Anne Glowinski; Will Ross Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2017-06-16