This paper reviews the main psychometric instruments used for assessment of symptoms associated with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). A thorough review of the methodological issues associated with the construction of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School - Age Children (KSADS), the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Child Mania Rating Scale (CMRS), analyzing the indicators and statistical procedures. Highlights YMRS psychometric advantages in clinical contexts and CRMS in research, both around exploring the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. We discuss the importance of developing research and papers that address the development of tools to detect and symptoms associated with psychiatric epidemiology, especially in the case of PBD, whose prevalence in the national population is unknown.