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Previous analyses showing an increased risk for suicidal ideation in children and adolescents taking antidepressants led the FDA to require a boxed warning on labels of all antidepressants. To further assess the risks and benefits of antidepressants, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 27 clinical trials of antidepressant use (mostly SSRIs) in pediatric patients for major depressive disorder (MDD, 15 trials), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD, 6 trials), and other anxiety disorders (6 trials).
In pooled analyses, response rates in the drug and placebo groups were 61% versus 50% for patients with MDD, 52% versus 32% for patients with OCD, and 69% versus 39% for patients with other anxiety disorders. After minor statistical adjustments, …