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ABSTRACT. Objective. To compare early nondrinkers, experimenters, and drinkers on the prevalence of problem behaviors at grades 7 and 12 and at age 23 (N = 6338, 4265, and 3369, respectively). Methods. Results are based on longitudinal self-report data from individuals who were originally recruited from 30 California and Oregon schools at grade 7 (1985) and assessed again at grade 12 (1990) and at age 23 (1995). Logistic regression was used to develop weighted estimates of the prevalence of academic difficulties, employment problems, substance use, and delinquent and violent behaviors within the 3 drinking status groups at grades 7, 12, and/or at age 23. Huber variance estimates, which adjust for weighting and clustering of observations, were used to assess the statistical significance of differences across groups. Results. Early drinkers and experimenters were more likely than nondrinkers to report academic problems, substance use, and delinquent behavior in both middle school and high school. By young adulthood, early alcohol use was associated with employment problems, other substance abuse, and criminal and violent behavior. Conclusions. Early drinkers do not necessarily mature out of a problematic lifestyle as young adults. Interventions for these high-risk youth should start early and address their other public health problems, particularly their tendency to smoke and use other illicit drugs. Pediatrics 2003;111:949 -955; drinking, adolescence, young adulthood, consequences, academic problems, employment problems, substance use, delinquency, violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The net effects of various factors on length at birth and height at 5 years were determined in 3,707 single-born white California children. First-born children were significantly short at birth, but taller than average at 5 years. Children born to women with early menarche and children of older parents were average in birth length but taller than average at 5 years. Length and weight at birth showed significant correlations with height at 5 years. The child small at birth was most likely to catch up with his peers at age 5 if short gestation caused small birth size. Children of smoking mothers were short at birth and at 5 years. Socioeconomic factors (income, education, and occupation) appeared to be of little importance as determinants of growth. Of the total variation in height at age 5 years which is explained by the factors considered, parental height alone accounted for 88.6%; all other factors for 11.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on children with focal scleroderma at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles in California. Comparison of the findings with those in normal children of the same age and sex distribution; Number of patients who had positive tests for rheumatoid factor (RF); Principal role of RF in general biology.