This review examines suicide & suicide attempts by children & adolescents in the United States. Major risk factors identified are previous suicide attempts, a mood disorder, a family history of suicide, a parental psychiatric disorder, & a history of sexual abuse. Research indicates that efforts to prevent subsequent attempts at suicide have not generally been successful. The author states that evaluation of suicide risk should be carried out through multiple informants, not simply the adolescent or the parents. (28 refs) (SC)