New generation antidepressants for depression in children and adolescents: a network meta-analysis

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To investigate, via network meta‐analyses (NMA), the comparative effectiveness and safety of different newer generation antidepressants in children and adolescents with a diagnosed major depressive disorder (MDD). Specific objectives, in order of priority, are to: 1. estimate the relative effects of newer generation antidepressants compared with placebo and with each other on depression, functioning, suicide‐related outcomes and other adverse outcomes; 2. estimate the relative ranking of the included newer generation antidepressants for the outcomes of depression, functioning, suicide‐related outcomes and other adverse outcomes; and, 3. examine whether the relative effects on clinician‐rated depression symptoms and suicide‐related outcomes estimated in objectives 1 and 2 are modified by age, treatment duration, baseline severity and pharmaceutical industry funding of the antidepressant under evaluation.