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The article presents an authors index to the December 2005 issue of the journal "Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine."

Background Throughout US history, US society has been characterized by its high degree of residential mobility. Previous data suggest a relationship between mobility and increased health risk, but this relationship might be confounded by unmeasured adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Objectives To examine the relationship of childhood residential mobility to health problems during adolescence and adulthood and to determine how much these apparent relationships may result from underlying ACEs. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of 8116 adults who completed a survey that included childhood residential mobility, ACEs (childhood abuse, childhood neglect, and household dysfunction), and multiple health problems. Main Outcome Measures Number of childhood residential moves and number of ACEs (ACE score) were assessed for relationships to depressed affect, attempted suicide, alcoholism, smoking, early sexual initiation, and teenaged pregnancy. Results After adjustment for demographic variables, the risk of high residential mobility during childhood (≥8 moves) was 1.7- to 3.1-fold for each ACE, and increased with the number of ACEs. Compared with respondents who never moved, the odds of health risk for respondents with high mobility during childhood ranged from 1.3 (for smoking) to 2.5 (for suicide). However, when the number of ACEs was entered into multivariate models, the relationship between mobility and health problems was greatly reduced. Conclusions Adverse childhood experiences are strongly associated with frequent residential mobility. Moreover, the apparent relationship between childhood mobility and various health risks is largely explained by ACEs. Thus, previous studies showing a relationship between residential mobility and negative outcomes were likely confounded by unmeasured ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To document the comprehensive management of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in sexually active 14- to 19-year-old adolescents. Design A chart review of both paper and electronic records to examine documentation of treatment and follow-up of adolescents who tested positive for C trachomatis infection. Setting Five pediatric clinics of a large northern California health maintenance organization. Participants Consecutive sample of 122 adolescent girls and boys aged 14 to 19 years who tested positive for C trachomatis infection beginning May 1, 2001, for 20-month (4 sites) or 4-month (1 site) study periods. Main Outcome Measures Antibiotic treatment, counseling regarding safer sex, management of patients’ partners, screening for other sexually transmitted infections, and retesting for C trachomatis infection. Results The median age of participants was 16.9 years. All but 4 teenagers (97%) were treated with appropriate antibiotics. During follow-up, safer-sex counseling was documented for 79% of the patients. Partner management was addressed for 52% of the patients. Only 36% of the patients were tested for other sexually transmitted infections, and 10% received C trachomatis retesting during the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–recommended time frame of 3 to 12 months after treatment. Significantly fewer boys than girls received safer-sex counseling (P = .02) and partner management (P = .02). Conclusions Most teenagers received appropriate antibiotics, but fewer received other recommended care. The current study highlights important “missed-opportunity” clinical encounters for counseling to address high-risk behaviors, management of partners, detection of other sexually transmitted infections, and retesting for reinfections. Systems to address these gaps in care should be incorporated into the clinical management of adolescents infected with C trachomatis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the barriers to highly active antiretrovial therapy (HAART) adherence among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected adolescents and to explore the association of barriers and nonadherence. Design: Structured interviews were conducted to determine the barriers associated with adherence; principal component factor analysis was performed on scores of the 19 barrier variables. Setting: Human immunodeficiency virus–infected adolescents were recruited from 13 US cities into the REACH (Reaching for Excellence in Adolescent Care and Health) Project, the first large-scale disease progression study of HIV-positive adolescents infected through sexual behavior or injection drug use. Patients: Human immunodeficiency virus–infected adolescents in the REACH cohort who were prescribed HAART (N = 114) were included in the analyses. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were self-report of adherence and barriers to adherence and viral load (HIV-1 RNA level in plasma). Results: Viral load was significantly associated with self-report of adherence to HAART (P = .02). Only 28.3% of adolescents reported taking all of their prescribed antiretroviral medications in the previous month. Factor analysis of the barriers to adherence indicates there are 2 factors accounting for the largest proportion of the variance: (1) medication-related adverse effects (both physical and psychological) and (2) complications in day-to-day routines. Conclusions: Adherence was tied closely with daily routine, which supports the assumption that working closely with adolescents to improve their organizational skills may be necessary to improve adherence. Patient-level intervention, provider-level intervention, and health care system modification may all be necessary to improve HIV-infected adolescents' adherence to HAART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although chemiluminescent plastic rods, commonly called "glow sticks" or "light sticks," are typically considered to be minimally toxic or nontoxic, published data about exposure to these products are scarce. Objectives: To test our hypothesis that exposure to chemiluminescent products is unlikely to result in significant morbidity or mortality and to describe factors associated with exposure by reviewing reports to our urban poison control center of human exposure to chemiluminescent products. Methods: Pediatric and young adult exposure to chemiluminescent products reported between January 1, 2000, and April 1,2001, to our poison control center were evaluated with regard to demographic group, type of product involved, circumstances of exposure, symptoms, and management. Results: Reported routes of exposure (n = 118) included ingestion (n = 108), ocular (n = 9), and dermal exposure (n = 1). Only patients exposed to chemiluminescent fluid from a leaking container reported symptoms (n = 27). Symptoms were limited to transient irritation of the exposure site, and no systemic toxicity occurred. All adults (n=4) inadvertently ruptured or swallowed intact light sticks while at a dance club or dance party. Most exposure and all adult exposure occurred on holidays or weekends. Conclusions: Most incidences of exposure to chemiluminescent products involve asymptomatic ingestion of fluid that leaks from glow sticks or ingestion of an intact glow stick. Symptoms occur after exposure to chemiluminescent fluid and consist of transient irritation at the site of exposure. The clustering of reported exposure on weekends and in dance clubs and parties coupled with a lack of occupational or workplace exposure suggest that recreational use is a major contributory factor. Exposure to chemiluminescent products infrequently resuited in symptoms and the symptoms reported were minor. Exposure to chemiluminescent products as described is unlikely to cause significant... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess sexually active adolescents' attitudes toward 3 screening collection techniques for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis using first-void urine (FVU), self-collected vaginal swab specimens, and pelvic examination with clinician-collected endocervical swab specimens. Design: Participants completed a preexamination health survey, provided FVU and self-collected vaginal swab samples, and had a pelvic examination with endocervical swab specimen collection. In a confidential postexamination interview, patients ranked the 3 screening techniques according to preference and responded to qualitative positive and negative descriptors to evaluate each technique. Setting: San Francisco area health maintenance organization and university clinics. Participants: A convenience sample of 155 ethnically diverse females aged 12 to 21 years, who were sexually active and were to have a pelvic examination. Main Outcome Measures: Adolescents' preferences for and evaluations of 3 sexually transmitted disease screening techniques. Results: Participants preferred the FVU test for sexually transmitted disease screening over the pelvic examination and the self-administered vaginal swab test (P<.001). These results were consistent when controlling for potentially mitigating experiences, including previous pelvic examination, tampon or condom use, and prior pregnancy. In evaluating what they liked and disliked about each of the 3 screening methods, participants described the FVU most positively, the pelvic examination most negatively, and the vaginal swab technique slightly less positively than the FVU. Conclusion: Most sexually active adolescents attending clinics for pelvic examination prefer to be screened for sexually transmitted diseases first by the FVU, second by the self-collected vaginal swab test, and last by the pelvic examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the longitudinal associations between depressive symptoms and self-reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis among adolescents. Setting and Participants: National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health data were analyzed for 7th through 12th graders who reported having sexual intercourse between baseline (Wave 1) and 1-year follow-up (Wave 2) in-home interviews (N = 4738 [2232 boys, 2506 girls]). The association between level of depressive symptoms at Wave 1 and self-reported diagnosis of STD between Wave 1 and Wave 2 was explored separately for boys and girls using logistic regression that controlled for age, race/ethnicity, virginity, and history of STD at Wave 1. Alcohol and marijuana use were assessed as potential mediators. The association between interval STD diagnosis and subsequent very high levels of depressive symptoms (predictive of major depression) was also examined separately by sex controlling for demographic characteristics and baseline depressive symptoms. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported STD diagnosis and depressive symptoms. Results: For boys and girls, higher frequency of depressive symptoms at baseline predicted increased risk of being diagnosed as having an STD within 1 year. After adjusting for history of STD, the association was no longer significant for girls. Alcohol and marijuana use did not mediate this association for either sex, although very frequent alcohol use was an independent predictor of STD diagnosis for boys. For boys and girls, being diagnosed as having an STD within 1 year was associated with very high levels of depressive symptoms at the end of that year in both bivariate and multivariate models. Conclusions: Screening for depressive symptoms in sexually active adolescents, particularly boys, may identify those at risk for STDs. In addition, adolescents who are diagnosed as having STDs should be monitored for depression. These findings suggest that adolescent preventive care needs... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), compared with healthy adolescents, and to determine whether clinically observed or self-perceived severity of illness affects their HRQL. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional study of female adolescents conducted at an urban, hospital-based adolescent medicine clinical practice. Participants: Ninety-seven adolescent patients with PCOS and 186 healthy patients who were seen for care between October 15, 1999, and March 2, 2001. Main Outcome Measures: Health-related quality-of-life scores as determined by the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Self-Report Form. Results: Adolescents with PCOS scored lower on subscales measuring general health perceptions, physical functioning, general behavior, and limitations in family activities because of illness. Patients scored higher on the change in health in the last year subscale, and most had been diagnosed and initiated treatment for PCOS in the last year. Patients who had higher self-perceived severity of illness also scored lower on the general health perceptions subscale, but clinical severity was not associated with differences in HRQL. Conclusions: Adolescents with PCOS experience lower HRQL compared with healthy adolescents. Polycystic ovary syndrome and perceived severity of illness negatively affect HRQL in adolescents. This study suggests a need to develop interventions to reduce the distress that patients with PCOS may face as adolescents and young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on case studies pertaining to pediatrics and adolescent medicine in the U.S. compiled as of January 2002. Associaition between the use of hormones found in hair products and early pubertal development in African American girls; Legal and ethical issues involved in court-ordered prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV; Evaluation of the efficacy of naturopathic ear drops.

Summarizes research on pediatric and adolescent medicine in the United States, recent as of September 2001. Adolescents' willingness to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases; Trends in medical residents' perceptions of working conditions in New York City hospitals; Causes of neonatal hypermagnesemia.

Background: Nonoccupational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for adults has been described, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga, offer no specific recommendations. There is limited information about its use in children and adolescents. Objective: To describe the current practices of physicians in pediatric infectious disease (PID) and pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) departments regarding nonoccupational HIV PEP for children and adolescents. Design: Survey. Participants: Directors of all PID and PEM departments with fellowship programs in the United States and Canada between July and November 1998. Main Outcome Measures: General questions regarding HIV PEP and questions concerning 2 scenarios (5-year-old with a needlestick injury and a 15-year-old after sexual assault). Results: The return rate was 67 (78%) of 86 for PID and 36 (75%) of 48 for PEM physicians. Fewer than 20% of physicians reported institutional policies for nonoccupational HIV PEP; 33% had ever initiated nonoccupational HIV PEP. In both scenarios, PID physicians were more likely than PEM physicians to recommend or offer HIV PEP in the first 24 hours after the incident (55 [83%] of 66 vs 20 [56%] of 36 for needlestick injuries [odds ratio 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-10.1] and 47 [72%] of 65 vs 16 [50%] of 32 for sexual assault [odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.3]). Seven different antiretroviral agents in single, dual, or triple drug regimens administered for 2 to 12 weeks were suggested. Conclusions: Although few physicians reported institutional policies, and only one third had ever initiated HIV PEP, many would offer or recommend HIV PEP for children and adolescents within 24 hours after possible HIV exposure. A wide variation of regimens have been suggested. There is a need for a national consensus for nonoccupational HIV PEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents comments on research articles published in the periodical 'Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine,' as of May 2001. Moral and ethical aspects of research one newborn circumcision; Concentration of cerebrospinal fluid protein in full-term neonates; Necessity for statistical precision in the assessment of the nutrient intake of children and adolescents.

Looks at a study which explored the effect of inadequate analgesia during painful procedures in children. Identification of such painful procedures in children; Methodology used in conducting the study; Results and conclusion of the study.

Comments on articles on featured in the periodical 'Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.' Need for sickle cell screening among pediatric Latino immigrants in the United States; Limitations in measuring asthma disparities.

Presents articles on adolescent medicine, published in the periodical 'Archives Pediatrics Adolescent Medicine.' Smoking relapse curve for adolescent smokers; Delivery of albuterol with a metered-dose inhaler with a valved spacer.

Discusses the case of a 16-year-old girl presenting with tuberculous pleural effusion. Clinical signs and symptoms; Disease background; Proper treatment.

Examines a case of synovial chondromatosis in a teenage patient. Radiological findings; Clinical manifestations; Potential complications.

Discusses laboratory diagnostic findings in a 17-year-old patient with pernicious anemia and gastric atrophy. Occurrence of profound anisocytosis and hypersegmented neutrophils; Hypercellular bone marrow with profound erythroid hyperplasia; Occurrence of gastric mucosa atrophy with absent rugal folds and a diffuse reticular pattern of the mucosa.

Presents the case of a 15-year-old boy diagnosed with intermittent ileocolic intussusception caused by an unusual choristoma. Diagnosis using imaging and endoscopic examination; Surgery.

The article presents information about the editorial board and staff of the journal "Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine."

The article presents a preview of articles published in the December 2005 issue of the journal "Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine."

This article introduces several studies featured in the November 2005 issue of the "Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine." It cites a study about the prevalence of stress disorders after involvement in motor vehicle among children ages 5 to 15 years. The article also refers to an examination of the prevalence of hepatitis C infection among adult prisoners. A study on the effectiveness of an intervention consisting of counseling, information and provision of a gun lock as methods in decreasing the risk of suicide and unintentional shooting deaths in children and adolescents was also cited.

Lists research papers and other resources on pediatrics and adolescent medicine, which appeared in the October 2005 issue of the "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Presents a list of the editorial staff of the "Journal of American Medical Association Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine."

Introduces articles related to pediatrics and adolescent medicine. Assessment of the antibiotic use during infancy and its effects on the teeth of the children; Detection of the limited evidence for the effectiveness of weight loss programs in children; Challenges posed by parent refusal or deliberate delay of their child's vaccination for pediatricians.

Presents information about the "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine" journal regarding its mission statement, editors and staff.

Presents abstracts of articles in this issue of "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine".

Offers several information on the periodical "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine". Members of the editorial board; Publication staff; Business and product development.

Discusses the contents of the April 2005 issue of the periodical "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine". Relation of the complaints of asymptomatic gross hematuria to the finding of microscopic hematuria on routine urinalysis are relatively common in children; Description of nosocomial infections as major cause of morbidity and mortality among inpatients; Use of analgesics for the treatment of acute abdominal pain in children.