Further evidence for family-genetic risk factors in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Patterns of comorbidity in probands and relatives psychiatrically and pediatrically referred samples.

We examined 140 probands with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, 120 normal controls, and their 822 first-degree relatives using "blind" raters and structured diagnostic interviews. Compared with controls, probands with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were more likely to have conduct, mood, and anxiety disorders. Compared with relatives of controls, relatives of probands with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had a higher risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antisocial disorders, major depressive disorder, substance dependence, and anxiety disorders. Patterns of comorbidity indicate that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and major depressive disorders may share common familial vulnerabilities, that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder plus conduct disorder may be a distinct subtype, and that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorders are transmitted independently in families. These results extend previous findings indicating family-genetic influences in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by using both pediatrically and psychiatrically referred proband samples. The distributions of comorbid illnesses in families provide further validation for subgrouping probands with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by comorbidity.

Referrals from a psychiatric emergency room: relationship of compliance to demographic and interview variables.

In a sample of 89 patients referred from a psychiatric service emergency room, the author investigated variables related to completion and noncompletion of the physician's recommendation. The completers (58%) tended to be older and more educated, to be diagnosed as depressed, and to demonstrate congruence in terms of their request and their perception of the physician's goal. Implications for referral include ensuring that the interview with the patient includes a communication, empathy, and mutual influence. Using the negotiated approach and criteria derived during the clinical interview, certain patients can be identified as being "at risk" for noncompletion and as requiring special efforts.

Relations between academic departments of psychiatry and pharmaceutical companies.

The financial pressures placed on academic departments of psychiatry make the offers of assistance from pharmaceutical companies very attractive. The authors provide a sequential three-step decision-making approach to help the academic physician and the psychiatry department address the ethical issues involved in any given interaction with a pharmaceutical company. They also provide examples of the application of these guidelines.

Desipramine in the treatment of adolescents with attention deficit disorder.

Twelve adolescents with attention deficit disorder were treated with desipramine in an open trial to assess its efficacy and safety. Eleven patients improved within 1 month, and improvement was sustained for 6-12 months without significant adverse effects in nine patients.

The impact of grief on ventilatory control.

The authors studied ventilatory control in four parents grieving over the death of an infant. Abnormalities in respiratory control were common and resembled those previously reported in depressed patients. The results raise questions about the relationship between affective state and ventilatory control.

Screening for dysfunction in the children of outpatients at a psychopharmacology clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were 1) to determine whether the use of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist in an adult-oriented psychiatric practice was feasible, 2) to determine if scores indicative of dysfunction on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist were associated with parental or background factors, 3) to determine whether children flagged by their scores on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist were receiving psychiatric services, and 4) to compare the psychosocial dysfunction in this group of children with that found in children screened as part of routine pediatric visits. METHOD: Adult outpatients in a hospital's clinical psychopharmacology unit were asked to complete the Pediatric Symptom Checklist regarding their children. These patients were the parents of 100 school-aged children. Factors such as the parents' diagnoses and demographic variables were also examined. RESULTS: The Pediatric Symptom Checklist was readily accepted by parents and fit easily into the routine of general psychiatric practice. Significantly more of the children of these outpatients than of children in comparable pediatric offices had scores indicative of psychiatric dysfunction (scores above the cutoff). Children of parents who were single, of low socioeconomic status, or with a diagnosis of personality (especially borderline) or mood disorder were more likely to have scores above the cutoff. More than a third of the children who had scores above the cutoff on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist were not currently receiving psychiatric services. CONCLUSIONS: The Pediatric Symptom Checklist provided a rapid and simple method for general psychiatrists to identify psychosocial dysfunction in their patients' children.

Improved function of perfused rabbit kidneys by prevention of oxidative injury.

This study explored the effect of adding small amounts of the reducing agents ascorbic acid and glutathione to a Ringer's-albumin perfusate used for 24-hr hypothermic perfusion of rabbit kidneys. Maintenance of function during preservation was evaluated with a shunt perfusion model and by measuring the ability of cortical slices to restore normal K/Na ratios after incubation in a electrolyte medium. When placed in contact with the unmodified perfusate, an electrode of pyrolytic carbon registered a potential of +190 mV relative to the silver-silver chloride couple. This reading fell rapidly by 100-125 mv when kidneys were placed on the circuit. The mean creatinine clearance after 24-hr perfusion was significantly improved from 162 +/- 56 ml/hr in controls to 284 +/- 92 ml/hr when the potential indicated by this electrode was preadjusted to 43-54 mv with reducing agents, and to 237 +/- 62 ml/hr when this adjustment was made after 2 hr. These creatinine clearances were similar to those of kidneys stored on ice for only 1 hr. These findings indicate minimal injury occurred in the chemically reduced groups and emphasize the importance of preventing oxidative damage to kidneys during hypothermic organ perfusion. The time course of the changes in potential registered by this electrode was consistent with our previous finding that much of the damage to perfused kidneys occurs very early in the course of perfusion. The tissue slice studies showed no detectable damage to the renal parenchyma of the kidneys in the control group despite diminished creatinine clearance. This suggests that the site of oxidation injury is the vascular compartment.

Allograft viability determined by enzyme analysis.

Enzymatic analysis of the venous effluent of ischemically injured kidney failed to predict accurately the ability of an isochemically injured kidney to support life. Postoperative serum assay of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) is of value in the assessment of the functional status of the kidney and correlates with response of the rejection episode to immunosuppression. However, by itself it cannot be a sole guide to withholding of therapy. Successful treatment is associated with a decline in LDH level, and failure to return to base line serves as a guide to irreversibility of the rejection reaction.

After teen suicide: issues for pediatricians who are asked to consult to schools.

Every suicide is a unique tragedy. This article has attempted to provide a framework for understanding suicide as it impacts on the school community. Given this background, we have listed 10 frequent dilemmas faced by pediatricians (and others) who consult to schools. The central themes of the approach offered are to avoid inadvertently glorifying suicide, target high-risk groups for interventions, and consider suicide prevention as part of the broad, ongoing task of providing a caring environment for adolescents in which the collaboration of the school community is essential.

Caring for gravely ill children.

BACKGROUND: Much has been written about the care of the hopelessly ill adult, but there is little guidance for pediatric health care professionals in the management of children who are critically or terminally ill. METHODS: Through a 3-day meeting in Tarrytown, NY, attended by a group of pediatricians and others directly involved in these issues, a principled approach was developed for the treatment of, and health care decision-making for, children who are gravely ill. RESULTS: The group agreed that the needs and interests of the child must be the central focus of any treatment plan and that the child should be involved to as great extent possible, consistent with developmental maturity, in the decision-making process. Quality of future life should be viewed as being relevant in all decisions. Parents are believed to be the natural guardians of children and ought to have great latitude in making decisions for them. However, parental discretion is not absolute and professionals must maintain an independent obligation to protect the child's interests. CONCLUSIONS: Decision-making should be collaborative among patient, parents, and professionals. When conflict arises, consultation and ethics committees may assist in resolution. When cure or restoration of function is no longer possible, or reasonable, promotion of comfort becomes the primary goal of management. Optimal use of pain medication and compassionate concern for the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the child and family should be the primary focus of the professionals caring for the dying child.

Psychosocial profile of adults with complex congenital heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing number of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), little is known of the emotional life of these long-term survivors; hence, we undertook a study to establish a psychological profile of these individuals so as to optimize their care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed psychiatric evaluation by both interview and questionnaire on 29 ambulatory patients with CHD (mean age, 38 years; range, 26-56 years). RESULTS: Although many met symptomatic criteria for psychiatric diagnosis, most were functional in day-to-day life and used denial in adapting to their CHD. In childhood, extended absences from school, cyanosis, scars, and sports restrictions hindered friendships and conflicted with a sense of "normalcy"; teasing and low self-esteem were more notable in boys; girls more readily hid behind makeup, nail polish, and clothing. In adulthood most were concerned about shortened life expectancy, disability, and childbearing and child rearing. Virtually all were highly committed to both school and work performance. All but those with complete, uncomplicated early repair expressed unresolved frustration, anger, and fears of a future that might include further medical complications. CONCLUSION: Listening to this selected group of patients offers insight that may be helpful to the clinical care of patients with CHD and other patients with lifelong disease.

MEGX (monoethylglycinexylidide): a novel in vivo test to measure early hepatic dysfunction after hypovolemic shock.

A quantitative liver test based on the formation of the lidocaine metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), was used to evaluate the effect of hemorrhagic shock at 40 mmHg for 90 min on Sprague-Dawley rats. After 2 h of stabilization, lidocaine was injected (2 mg/kg). A second group received volume resuscitation with Ringer's lactate over 1 h (15 mL/kg) after shock, and after 1 h of stabilization lidocaine was administered. These groups were compared to control animals. Blood samples were drawn at 0 time (baseline), prior to lidocaine injection, and at 10, 15, 30, and 60 min after lidocaine injection. MEGX values in shocked animals were significantly lower than in the control group; in animals receiving volume resuscitation, levels were higher than the shocked animals without resuscitation, but did not reach control levels. Thus, shock produced a significant depression of hepatocyte function, which was partially reversed by Ringer's lactate resuscitation. The MEGX test appears to be a suitable tool for clinical evaluation and therapeutic intervention after shock.

Cold blood potassium diltiazem cardioplegia.

Despite the use of cold blood potassium (CBK) cardioplegia, the severely impaired myocardium and/or long ischemia time continue to be a challenge. Because of the association of Ca++ with cell injury and death, the use of Ca++ entry blockers is logical. Investigation of cold blood diltiazem (CBD) revealed no advantages over CBK cardioplegia. The combination of potassium and diltiazem is appropriate because of their different mechanisms of action. Ten dogs had 1 hour of myocardial ischemia with topical ice (temperature 7 degrees +/- 2 degrees C) after coronary perfusion with 200 ml of cold blood (5 degrees +/- 1 degree C) containing potassium (30 mEq/L) and diltiazem (400 micrograms/kg). Eight dogs had 2 hours of ischemia after perfusion with 200 ml of cold blood containing potassium (30 mEq/L) and diltiazem (200 micrograms/kg) and reperfusion every 30 minutes with 100 ml of cold blood containing KCl (30 mEq/L) and diltiazem (100 micrograms/kg). Six dogs received the same treatment as the previous group except that diltiazem was increased to 1,600 micrograms/kg for all four perfusions. Baseline studies were repeated after 60 minutes of reperfusion without the use of Ca++ or inotropic agents. Heart rate, peak systolic pressure, velocity of the contractile element (Vce), maximum velocity of contractile element (Vmax), peak +dp/dt, peak -dp/dt, dp/dt over common peak isovolumic pressure, left ventricular compliance, stiffness and elasticity, and heart water were unchanged from control. Coronary vascular resistance was unchanged in Groups 1 and 2 but declined in Group 3. Creatine phosphate was preserved during ischemia; adenosine triphosphate (ATP) declined. With reperfusion there was continued fall in ATP, ADP, and the adenosine pool. Ultrastructure was well preserved. In 16 of 24 dogs defibrillation was not required, whereas all 48 dogs with CBK and all 13 with CBD required defibrillation. These data suggest that the addition of diltiazem to CBK provides more effective cardioplegia (preservation of creatine phosphate), although ATP and the adenosine pool continued to decline with reperfusion.

Myocardial protection by intermittent perfusion with cardioplegic solution versus intermittent coronary perfusion with cold blood.

The myocardial protection provided by cardioplegic solution using buffered, isosmotic potassium (30 mEq. per liter) was compared with intermittent cold coronary perfusion for 2 hours of aortic cross-clamping in dogs. The cardioplegic solution (Group CS) or cold blood (Group CB) was infused every 15 minutes through a cooling coil to reduce the perfusate temperature to 5 degrees C. Myocardial function after 30 minutes of reperfusion and rewarming was reduced in Group CB with a significant reduction in peak systolic pressure at a left ventricular (LV) balloon volume of 20 ml. and a significant reduction of dp/dt. In contrast, in Group CS, LV function was unchanged from the base-line period. LV compliance also was significantly reduced in Group CB while being unchanged in Group CS. Myocardial extravascular water content, obtained by dessication, was significantly higher in Group CB than in Group CS, which may explain the reduction in compliance. Electron microscopy showed normal ultrastructure in Group CS but extracellular edema in Group CB. Total coronary blood flow showed a sustained increase during reperfusion in both groups. Oxygen consumption rose with rewarming to base-line levels in both groups, whereas lactate and pyruvate consumption was reduced in both groups, particularly Group CB. Cardioplegic solution thus appears to be superior to the intermittent perfusion of cold blood for myocardial protection. The addition of potassium arrest, by markedly reducing myocardial metabolism, improves the protection afforded by cold blood perfusion alone.

Topical cardiac hypothermia for myocardial preservation.

We compared moderate (29 degrees C.) and profound (5 degrees C.) (ice chips) cardiac hypothermia for myocardial preservation during aortic cross-clamping for 30 or 60 minutes in a canine right heart bypass preparation. Ventricular function deteriorated significantly at 29 degrees C. but not at 5 degrees C. Maximum dp/dt declined only after 60 minutes of ischemia at 29 degrees C., and Vmax decreased after one hour at either temperature. Lactate and pyruvate washout were greater after 29 degrees C., and pyruvate production persisted after 60 minutes of ischemia at 29 degrees C. Reactive hyperemia was greater after 30 minutes of ischemia at 29 degrees C. Reactive hyperemia was greater after 30 minutes of ischemia at 29 degrees C., and total coronary flow remained elevated after 60 minutes of ischemia at 29 degrees C. Coronary flow distribution was not altered by hypothermia. Ultrastructural changes were primarily time dependent and not temperature dependent. Ice-induced subepicardial injury was not evident in the ultrastructure or by flow distribution. Sixty minutes of profound topical cardiac hypothermia is moderately well tolerated by the canine heart, but functional and structural alterations are evident.

The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass with crystalloid and colloid hemodilution on myocardial extravascular water.

The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on myocardial extravascular water (MEW) was evaluated with crystalloid and colloid hemodilution. Heart water was measured gravimetrically and by the double-indicator and thermal methods. CPB without hemodilution resulted in a 5.7 per cent increase in the wet : dry weight ratio of the left ventricle obtained by desiccation to stable weight. CPB with colloid hemodilution to a hematocrit of 10.7 +/- 0.4 per cent resulted in a 5.4 per cent increase in the wet:dry weight ratio. Crystalloid hemodilution to a hematocrit of 9.5 +/- 0.8 per cent resulted in a marked increase in myocardial water with a wet:dry weight ratio 30.3 per cent greater than the controls. Hypothermic (22 degrees C.) crystalloid hemodilution resulted in a 37.4 per cent increase in the wet:dry weight ratio. MEW was also measured by the double-indicator method with Evans blue dye and tritiated water. This method measured 85 per cent of the gravimetrically measured water. Although it indicated the increase in heart water in the crystalloid group, it proved less reliable in the measurement of MEW in this dynamic situation. The thermal heart water was also measured with an impedance and thermistor-bearing catheter similar to that used to measure thermal lung water. This proved ineffective in measuring heart water. Colloid hemodilution was thus found to prevent the development of myocardial edema which occurred with crystalloid hemodilution (p less than 0.01) with and without hypothermia. These findings support the addition of colloid to the hemodilution prime used for cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cold-blood potassium cardioplegia: evaluation of glutathione and postischemic cardioplegia.

Potassium (34 mEq/L) cardioplegia was induced with cold blood (CBK) in three groups of six dogs undergoing 60 minutes of myocardial ischemia at a systemic temperature of 27 degrees +/- 2 degrees and a myocardial temperature of 7 degrees +/- 2 degrees C (crushed ice). Group 1 (CBK) animals were reperfused initially with 400 ml cold blood over 8 to 10 minutes at increasing pressures of up to 75 mm Hg. Group II (CBK-K) dogs were reperfused in the same manner as Group I with the addition of potassium chloride, 30 mEq/L. In Group III (CBKG-KG) glutathione, 30 mg/100 ml, was added to both the pre- and postischemic perfusions with CBK. After 30 minutes of reperfusion control studies were repeated. Heart rate, peak systolic pressure, rate of rise of left ventricular pressure, maximum velocity of contractile element, pressure-volume curves, coronary flow distribution, muscle stiffness, and heart water were not significantly different from control values. Total coronary flow and myocardial uptake of oxygen, lactate, and pyruvate did not serve to separate the three groups; the same was true for right ventricular creatine phosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and adenosine diphosphate during ischemia and recovery. Ultrastructural myofibrillar lesions were noted in all groups. thus, postischemic cardioplegia and use of a physiological reducing agent do not enhance CBK cardioplegia with topical and systemic hypothermia.

Supporting child psychiatric services using current managed care approaches: you can't get there from here.

For-profit behavioral health care companies have transformed the way mental health services are provided for children. Using marketplace approaches, companies have "carved out" mental health services for many patients receiving care from pediatricians. This report details specific approaches used by these firms to maximize profits, minimize the role of child and adolescent psychiatrists, and limit clinical services. Understanding for-profit carveouts will help primary care pediatricians appreciate the likely consequences of such reimbursement incentives for the care of children and their families.

The Pediatric Symptom Checklist. Support for a role in a managed care environment.

OBJECTIVES: To gather data based on studies of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist, identify risk factors associated with high levels of dysfunction in primary care pediatric settings, and explore the relationship between common risk factors and psychosocial problems identified by pediatricians. DESIGN: Retrospective review and cross-sectional, case-referent survey. SETTING: Subjects were selected from three primary care pediatric clinics in Massachusetts: a private practice in a predominantly white, middle-class suburb, an urban health maintenance organization clinic, and an inner-city clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Of 423 outpatients aged 6 to 12 years screened for psychosocial problems, 72 children and their families were seen for in-depth structured and clinical interviews (24 from each site). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS/MAIN RESULTS: Children with a single parent and/or those who were economically disadvantaged were significantly more likely to show psychosocial impairment. The specificity of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist was 100% in samples with a lower socioeconomic status compared with 68% in middle-class samples, and sensitivity was 95% in middle-class samples compared with 80% in lower-class samples. Pediatricians identified psychosocial problems in eight of 15 children with a history of familial mental illness or substance abuse and seven of eight children with a history of physical or sexual abuse, but only six of 17 cases from single-parent families and four of 11 cases from poor families. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians should be sensitive to psychosocial dysfunction especially in single-parent and low-income families. Use of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist for psychosocial screening in a managed health care delivery system could target capitated resources efficiently by providing early identification and secondary prevention of psychosocial morbidity.

Psychosocial morbidity: the economic burden in a pediatric health maintenance organization sample.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate psychosocial morbidity in pediatric primary care and to determine displaced health care utilization. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional sample of parent-child dyads was screened using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) at 6 pediatric sites of a health maintenance organization (HMO). Cost and utilization data were retrieved from regional databases for this sample. PARTICIPANTS: Parent-child dyads from an HMO in northern California (N = 1840). The children ranged in age from 2 to 18 years. RESULTS: In all, 13.0% of children exhibited psychosocial dysfunction. The rate of children's chronic illness was 18.4%. Multiple regression analyses measured utilization and cost of health and psychiatric care for the selected population for the previous year; the average log cost of health care per child was $393. The average health care cost for children with anxious, depressed symptoms was $805. Chronically ill children were the highest utilizers of health care, with an average log cost of $1138. When psychosocial dysfunction was present, regression models showed that health care spending was highest for young children. CONCLUSIONS: Health care utilization was higher for children with psychosocial morbidity, was higher among younger children, and decreased with age as psychiatric costs progressively increased.