A new comprehensive analysis of antidepressants for children and teenagers says that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.

The Food and Drug Administration found risks in prescribing antidepressants to children and teenagers in a 2004 study, subsequently issuing a warning against the use of these drugs. The study found that a possible side effect was the worsening of suicidal feelings above what would have happened without the drugs. After the warning, U.S. youth suicides increased and some mental health experts said reluctance to try antidepressants might be to blame.

The new study, to be published in tomorrow's issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, concludes that the benefits of antidepressants for children and teenagers outweigh the small risk of possible suicidal thoughts or actions. The new analysis includes data from seven studies that were not part of the previous FDA analysis, including two large pediatric depression trials that were unavailable three years ago.

The review covered data on 5,310 children and teenagers from 27 studies. No suicides were reported in any of the studies reviewed. Antidepressants worked best for anxiety, the analysis found, and worked moderately well for obsessive-compulsive disorders. They worked less well, but were still effective, in treating depression.

“The medications are safe and effective and should be considered as an important part of treatment,” said study co-author Dr. David Brent of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “The benefits seem favorable compared to the small risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior.”