Recurrence of Major Depressive Disorder in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents

The outcome of children & adolescents hospitalized with major depressive disorder was evaluated & different duration & severity criteria to define recovery & recurrence were assessed. 59 of 70 subjects were reevaluated 1-5 years later. 5 subjects with recurrence had no suicidal behaviour at the index episode compared to 9 with no recurrence. Death wishes, suicidal thoughts/plans & attempts occurred more frequently among subjects with recurrence versus those with no recurrence at index episode.