BACKGROUND:

A possible explanation for the ongoing controversy surrounding pediatric bipolar disorder is that differences in assessment methodologies lead to conflicting results. One way to address methodological differences in assessment across studies is to use a single standardized assessment of psychopathology to calibrate the findings reported in different studies. To this end, we conducted a meta-analysis of several studies that have employed the Child Behavior Checklist in the assessment of children with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

METHODS:

MEDLINE was searched for all publications that utilized the Child Behavior Checklist in addition to structured diagnostic interviews to assess pediatric bipolar disorder. Random effects models were used to calculate combined estimates of Child Behavior Checklist clinical subscales.

RESULTS:

Children with bipolar disorder had scaled scores of >70 in the Aggression, Attention Problems, and Anxious/Depressed subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist. The Child Behavior Checklist was useful in distinguishing bipolar from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder subjects.

CONCLUSIONS:

While there was a significant heterogeneity in estimates between studies, a consistent pattern of elevations in inattention/hyperactivity, depression/anxiety, and aggression was identified.