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Objective. Approximately 2000 children die annually in the United States from maltreatment. Although maternal and child risk factors for child abuse have been identified, the role of household composition has not been well-established. Our objective was to evaluate household composition as a risk factor for fatal child maltreatment. Methodology. Population-based, case-control study using data from the Missouri Child Fatality Review Panel system, 1992-1994. Households were categorized based on adult residents' relationship to the deceased child. Cases were all maltreatment injury deaths among children Results. Children residing in households with adults unrelated to them were 8 times more likely to die of maltreatment than children in households with 2 biological parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6-21.5). Risk of maltreatment death also was elevated for children residing with step, foster, or adoptive parents (aOR: 4.7; 95% CI: 1.6-12.0), and in households with other adult relatives present (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). Risk of maltreatment death was not increased for children living with only 1 biological parent (aOR: 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8-2.0). Conclusions. Children living in households with 1 or more male adults that are not related to them are at increased risk for maltreatment injury death. This risk is not elevated for children living with a single parent, as long as no other adults live in the home. Pediatrics 2002; 109:615-621; epidemiology, injury, child abuse and neglect, fatalities, mortality, maltreatment, case-control study, death, risk factors, behavior. ABBREVIATIONS. CFRP, Missouri Child Fatality Review Panel; SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome; aOR, adjusted odds ratio; CI, confidence interval., Maltreatment of children causes an estimated 2000 deaths annually in the United States. (1) Ninety percent of these deaths occur among children Several studies have identified the following maternal risk [...]

The article examines how diabetes is diagnosed and initially managed in primary care. The authors conducted a historical study of patients in a large multispecialty medical group in Minnesota. The main outcome measures were the type of symptoms at diagnosis, changes in glycemic control, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, blood pressure, aspirin use and body weight in the first year after diagnosis. The results show that being vigilant for symptoms of diabetes, by examining those at high risk for the disease and by instituting appropriate treatments at the time of diagnosis, primary care practices may improve detection of undiagnosed diabetes and improve one-year outcomes.

The article discusses research being done on the effectiveness of statin drugs in preventing death, coronary heart disease and stroke. It references a study by P. R. Hebert, J. M. Gaziano, K. S. Chanand C. H. Hennekens published in the "Journal of American Medical Association." The study found a 22% reduction in total mortality and a 29% reduction in stroke among subjects randomized to a statin drug compared with those randomized to placebo. It revealed that risk reduction in mortality and stroke through the use of statin drugs is greater for patients with higher baseline cholesterol values.

The article discusses a study on the effect of the administration of acyclovir prophylaxis in late pregnancy to prevent neonatal herpes. The study consisted of a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 pregnant women at 37 weeks' gestation with at least one documented episode of genital herpes. The frequency of infections, morbidity and mortality, the direct cost per neonatal life saved and the direct cost for the prevention of long-term neurologic sequel associated with each strategy were the primary outcomes which are measured. The result of the study found that the use of acyclovir is beneficial.