Psychiatric and family functioning in children with leukemia and their parents.

The present study reports data from a cross-sectional investigation of the psychiatric and psychosocial functioning of 55 children diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and their families at three points in time: diagnosis (newly diagnosed), 1 year postdiagnosis, and 1 year after the completion of chemotherapy (off-therapy). Results reveal minimal psychopathology in these children and their parents based on self- and informant-reports and structured diagnostic interviews. These families appear to be functioning adequately and report more family cohesiveness and marital satisfaction after chemotherapy was completed. Coping strategies commonly used by children and their parents include problem-solving, a positive outlook, and good communication. Implications for psychiatric consultation are presented.

Parental psychopathology and children's adjustment to leukemia.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parental psychopathology and psychosocial functioning of children in whom acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) has been diagnosed. METHOD: The sample consisted of 61 mother-child dyads. Twenty-one (34%) mothers met DSM-III-R criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder based on a Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis (SCID). RESULTS: Findings revealed that compared with children whose mothers did not meet DSM-III-R criteria for a psychiatric disorder, children with mothers who evidenced a psychiatric disorder self-reported more anxiety and a maladaptive attributional style and were reported by their mothers as evidencing more depression and a range of internalizing behavioral symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Although our earlier research suggested that ALL children show relatively few symptoms of psychopathology, the present report reveals high rates of psychiatric difficulties in the mothers of ALL youth. These findings and their implications are discussed within a model that incorporates behavioral pediatrics and developmental psychopathology.

Organization and development of pediatric medical-psychiatric units. Part I: Administrative, financial, and political issues.

The growing literature regarding the development of medical-psychiatric units to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of patients with combined medical and psychiatric disorders is primarily limited to adult populations. Almost no published information is available concerning combined pediatric medical-psychiatric units. This article, the first in a two-part series, outlines the organization and development of a child and adolescent medical-psychiatric unit within a pediatric hospital. Various academic, administrative, political, financial, and clinical issues that must be considered during the developmental process are delineated and discussed. The second part of the series will address clinical management issues.

Organization and development of pediatric medical-psychiatric units. Part II: Clinical management issues.

Scant literature exists regarding combined medical-psychiatric units for pediatric populations. The present article is the second in a two-part series describing issues relevant to the organization and development of such a unit within a tertiary-care children's hospital. Case examples of medical-psychiatry patients are presented, together with summary patient statistics for the first 3 years of operation. Additionally, issues regarding the physical layout, treatment program, and staffing are discussed.

Cognitive status of children treated with central nervous system prophylactic chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Treatment-related cognitive impairments have been reported for survivors of childhood leukemia following prophylactic central nervous system (CNS) treatment with craniospinal radiation. We examined the neurocognitive status of 46 children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) to assess the impact of a regimen consisting of systemic chemotherapy and prophylactic CNS chemotherapy. By comparing three groups of ALL children (i.e., patients whose diagnosis was recent, patients 1 year postdiagnosis currently receiving CNS prophylactic chemotherapy, and off-therapy patients who had been treated with chemotherapy for 3 years) and their healthy siblings on measures of sequential and simultaneous processing, we were able to examine the effects of CNS prophylactic and systemic chemotherapy at various points during treatment. Results indicate that the children who had received a 3-year course of chemotherapy (off-therapy patients) were more impaired on tasks involving right-hemisphere simultaneous processing than were sibling controls or ALL children whose diagnosis was recent and whose treatment had just begun. Age at diagnosis did not interact with the effects of chemotherapy. These findings support the need for continued evaluation of cognitive functioning in ALL, children receiving CNS prophylactic chemotherapy to identify potential harmful neurocognitive sequelae of treatment.

Factors affecting hip fracture mortality.

This retrospective analysis of 300 patients with proximal femoral fractures was undertaken to determine what factors were significant and nonsignificant in determining patient mortality. Mortality rates were based on survival of the patient 1 year after surgery. Of 283 patients followed until death or for at least 1 year postoperatively, the mortality rate was 14.8% (42/283). The expected mortality rate for the normal population over 50 years of age is 3%. Factors considered significant in influencing patient mortality were age, number of pre-existing medical conditions, postoperative level of ambulation, and delay of surgery for more than 24 h in relatively healthy patients. The authors feel that on the basis of this study, healthy patients should undergo surgery within 24 h of admission and less healthy patients can be stabilized medically before undergoing surgery without adding increased risk from the delay.

Attachment and depression. Implications for family therapy.

The preceding discussion highlights the use of attachment theory in conceptualizing the interface between normal development and the manifestation of depression from infancy through adolescence. Additional research is needed to delineate better the specific nature of the association between attachment relationships and depression, particularly with regard to factors that mediate and moderate the link. The extant literature informs family-oriented clinical interventions with depressed young people with comorbid attachment problems, with or without a depressed parent. These family interventions are most likely to be effective if they incorporate developmentally informed conceptualizations and techniques and are targeted specifically to the problems of depressed youth and their families. The efficacy of such interventions remains to be determined through the implementation of treatment efficacy and effectiveness studies.

A controlled trial of methylphenidate in black adolescents. Attentional, behavioral, and physiological effects.

The short-term effects of methylphenidate were examined on behavioral, laboratory, academic, and physiological measures in 11 black male adolescents diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder (ADD). In a double-blind, crossover design with randomized order, the subjects received placebo and each of three methylphenidate doses (0.15 mg/kg, 0.30 mg/kg, and 0.50 mg/kg) for a period of 2 weeks per medication dosage. Significant drug effects were found for the majority of measures. In general, the higher doses resulted in the most beneficial response in behavioral, academic, and laboratory measures of attention and impulsivity. However, a significant linear increase occurred in diastolic blood pressure. The results suggest that methylphenidate is an effective adjunct to the treatment of ADD in adolescents.

School reentry for the child with chronic illness.

Chronic illness affects up to 20% of children in the school-age population, 10% of whom are severely compromised. Reintegrating these children is a growing problem for schools, children and their families, and health care professionals, as it has become apparent that school adjustment is highly significant in the children's overall adjustment. This article focuses on the issues of reintegrating the chronically ill child into the school setting, the types of school problems encountered, the process of school reentry, with illustrative case material, and the implications for the school and family of returning the chronically ill child to school.

Cognitive development and learning in the pediatric organ transplant recipient.

Although organ transplantation is considered a viable treatment approach for end-stage organ disease, few empirical investigations have assessed the effects of transplantation on the cognitive development and learning of pediatric organ transplant recipients. This article reviews studies evaluating neurocognitive changes following organ transplantation in pediatric end-stage renal and liver disease. Despite numerous methodological problems inherent in the investigations examined, the findings of some studies are suggestive of potential neurocognitive benefits associated with organ transplantation. Recommendations are made regarding methodological improvements for future investigations assessing neurocognitive outcomes of organ transplantation.

Effects of methylphenidate on cardiovascular responses in attention deficit hyperactivity disordered adolescents.

The short-term dose effects of methylphenidate were examined on cardiovascular measures in 11 black male adolescents diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In a double-blind, cross-over design with randomized order, the subjects received placebo and each of three methylphenidate doses (0.15, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/kg) for a period of 2 weeks per medication dosage. Significant main effects were found for diastolic and systolic blood pressure; however, pairwise comparisons revealed a significant linear increase in diastolic blood pressure only. Because of the unexpected increase in diastolic blood pressure, careful monitoring of black adolescents who are receiving methylphenidate is recommended.

Adolescent cancer survivors. Psychosocial and familial adaptation.

Adolescent cancer survivors were compared with nondiseased control subjects on measures of adaptation, coping, body image, sexual adjustment, psychopathology, and family functioning. Cancer survivors reported no major difficulties in social competence, overall coping, and family communication. Although their school teachers reported no symptoms of psychopathology, the cancer survivors did report body image disturbances and adjustment difficulties. Further, the surviving adolescents were eager to present themselves favorably. Compared with nondiseased control families, families of survivors were characterized as somewhat inflexible. Implications for clinical practice include the careful monitoring of youth who have survived cancer as well as sensitivity to underlying concerns that the survivors and their families may avoid.