Peer-based differences among boys with ADHD.

Examined the peer interactions and peer acceptance of three groups of boys ages 8 to 11 1/2 years: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), predominantly inattentive type; ADHD, combined type; and nonclinical controls (N = 45). Peer nominations were obtained from each boy's classroom. Newly acquainted peers consisting of boys from each of the 3 groups were observed for 3 play sessions, after which peer nominations were obtained. Both ADHD groups were more likely than nonclinical controls to receive lower social preference scores from peers in the classroom but not in the play groups. In both settings, boys from the predominantly inattentive group were more likely to be nominated as very shy, whereas boys from the combined type group were more likely to be nominated for starting fights and arguments. Observations of the play group showed that boys from the predominantly inattentive group displayed a marked pattern of social withdrawal. The findings suggest that the peer rejection experienced by these 2 groups may result from very different social behavior patterns.

Sexual contact tracing outcome in adolescent chlamydial and gonococcal cervicitis cases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment of sex partners is an essential part of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) control. This study examined the efficacy of contact tracing via patient self-referral in gonococcal and chlamydial cervicitis cases among adolescents, compared with the effectiveness of provider-referral. STUDY DESIGN: Adolescent females with culture-proven chlamydial or gonococcal cervicitis were the study subjects. This cohort study was done in an urban non-STD clinic setting. The subjects chose either provider-notification or self-notification method to inform their sex partner(s) in 2 months preceding the interview date. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-five eligible subjects (91% African-American, 9% white) were identified. One hundred and ninety-eight sex contacts were reported by 165 (62%) cases; no contact was elicited in the remaining 100 (38%). The follow-up data revealed that 129/198 (66%) contacts were informed: 63 contacts by 61 index cases, 54 contacts of 47 cases by the case manager, 9 by both methods, and 3 by unspecified means. History of treatment was obtained in 54 contacts, including 37% (23/63) of patient-notified contacts and 50% (27/54) of provider-notified contacts; these 54 contacts constituted 42% of informed contacts, or 27% of all named contacts. The mean number of sexual contacts treated per index case was 0.58 (27/47) for the provider-referral groups and 0.38 (23/61) for the self-referral groups. Successful contact tracing was documented in 19.3% (51/265) of all index cases, resulting in treatment of 54 contacts. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the need for more effective partner treatment strategies in adolescent STD cases.

Hyperventilation syndrome.

Hyperventilation is a common, though often unrecognized, disorder of adolescents. While relatively benign, the lack of recognition may lead to extensive, expensive, and unnecessary medical work-ups. The single most important factor in making the diagnosis of HVS lies in the awareness of the disorder's existence. HVS may be diagnosed through a positive response to the provocation test. Patients are asked to hyperventilate and questioned as to whether they experience the symptoms of which they have complained. Successful treatment involves reassurance, education, and giving the patient a strategy for controlling the hyperventilation. If treatment is not successful in a short period, patients should be referred to a qualified mental health professional. While the relationship between hyperventilation and anxiety disorders is unclear, some correlation between them does appear to exist.