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The article reports on the research conducted on which drugs are safe in treating moderate to severe depression in adolescents in Great Britain. Research shows that selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appears to be the safest drug in treating depression among the age group mentioned. In 2003, the country's Expert Working Group of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a review and meta-analysis of newer antidepressants used in children and adolescents. Based on the data gathered, the FDA mandated that all antidepresant labels carry a black box warning about the increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior of patients taking the medications.

This editorial looks at the suggestion in this issue that every British child be screened for familial hypercholesterolaemia. The proposal would have children aged 1-9 get their cholesterol levels checked annually and those with higher levels would then get genetic tests to confirm the familial connection. The author says the research presents no new evidence for the long term health benefits or potential harms of identifying and treating children with the condition.