[Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) are not indicated for children and adolescents with depression].

The efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents has not been demonstrated. In randomised clinical trials with depressed children and adolescents, more suicidal behaviour was reported in the SSRI treatment group than in the placebo group. The initially positive attitude towards administering SSRI's for depression in non-adults is due to both the lack of a critical attitude by authors and editors of scientific journals as well as a lack of candidness by the pharmaceutical industry. It is undesirable for the American, European and Dutch registration authorities to be co-financed by the pharmaceutical industry. The approval of fluoxetine for use in non-adults in Europe must not be based solely on the approval of this drug by American authorities. Depression in children and adolescents is a contraindication for the use of SSRI's.