WASHINGTON: According to the U.S. administration, the suicide rate for children and young adults aged 10 to 24 has increased 8% in 2004, marking the largest yearly increase in over 15 years. A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed that the rise followed up a cumulative fall of over 28% in the suicide rate from 1990 to 2003, and was fueled by increases in suicide rates among girls between 10 to 19 and boys 15 to 19.

The report derived from a data analysis from the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System. The suicide accounted for 4,599 deaths among people aged 10 to 24.

Suicide rates are computed per 100,000 people, and among 10- to-14-year-old females, the rate augmented from 0.54 per 100,000 in 2003 to 0.95 per 100,000 in 2004, for a 76% increase.

For 15- to-19-year-old females, the rate came up from 2.66 to 3.52 per 100,000 over that period, about a 33% enhancement. Among 15- to-19-year-old males, the rate increased from 11.61 to 12.65 per 100,000, a 9% increase, the government stated.

However, the study didn’t reflect on causes for the increase, but it concurred with a fall in antidepressant drug usage among youngsters after the FDA in October 2004 told it would want antidepressant manufacturers to put a "black-box" label caution that the drugs increase risk of suicidal feelings and conducts in children and adolescents.

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