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Depressive symptoms and SSRI use in pediatric oncology patients
Author(s) -
Kersun Leslie S.,
Elia Josephine
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21208
Subject(s) - medicine , depression (economics) , medical prescription , depressive symptoms , pediatric cancer , pediatric oncology , adverse effect , serotonin reuptake inhibitor , psychiatry , medline , cancer , antidepressant , oncology , pharmacology , cognition , anxiety , economics , macroeconomics , political science , law
This review of depressive symptoms in pediatric cancer patients describes the challenge of recognizing depression in this group, prevalence, risk factors, and treatment, primarily with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Pediatric oncologists prescribe SSRIs, but there is limited data regarding their use in this setting. Adverse effects, pharmacokinetics and metabolism of SSRIs are reviewed to provide a reference for physicians and inform choices for SSRI prescription. Ongoing research includes incorporation of routine screening measures for depression and future studies might focus on physician recognition and prospectively evaluating treatment for children with cancer and depressive symptoms. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:881–887. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.