Research Review: Pediatric anxiety disorders - what have we learnt in the last 10 years?

Background Anxiety disorders first emerge during the critical developmental periods of childhood and adolescence. This review synthesizes recent findings on the prevalence, risk factors, and course of the anxiety disorders; and their neurobiology and treatment. Methods For this review, searches were conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, and . Findings related to the epidemiology, neurobiology, risk factors, and treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders were then summarized. Findings Anxiety disorders are high prevalence, and early-onset conditions associated with multiple risk factors including early inhibited temperament, environment stress, and structural and functional abnormalities in the prefrontal-amygdala circuitry as well as the default mode and salience networks. The anxiety disorders are effectively treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Conclusions Anxiety disorders are high prevalence, early-onset conditions associated with a distinct neurobiological fingerprint, and are consistently responsive to treatment. Questions remain regarding who is at risk of developing anxiety disorders as well as the way in which neurobiology predicts treatment response.

Automated summary

Anxiety disorders are common, early-onset conditions with various risk factors and are effectively treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The disorders are associated with distinct neurobiological features and show consistent response to treatment, although questions remain about risk factors and neurobiology's impact on treatment outcomes.