bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethnic Differences in the Presence of Secondary Sex Characteristics and Menarche Among US Girls: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994
Authors: Wu Tiejian , Mendola Pauline , Buck Germaine M. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To assess measures of puberty—presence of pubic hair, breast development, and menarche—for 3 racial/ethnic groups of girls in the United States.
Methods. Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study sample was restricted to 1623 girls aged 8 to 16 years (466 non-Hispanic white, 589 non-Hispanic black, and 568 Mexican American) for whom information was available on Tanner stages of pubic hair and breast development. Subsequently, the sample was restricted to 1168 girls aged 10 to 16 years (330 non-Hispanic white, 419 non-Hispanic black, and 419 Mexican American) for whom menarche data were available. Tanner stage II or higher was used to define pubic hair and breast development; menarche status was self-reported. The percentage of girls who had pubic hair and breast development and had achieved menarche was computed by age and race/ethnicity. Probit and failure time models were applied to estimate mean ages at onset of pubic hair, breast development, and menarche. The racial/ethnic differences also were examined after adjustment for social and economic variables and current body mass index.
Results. Black and Mexican American girls had pubic hair and breast development and had achieved menarche at younger ages than white girls. For example, 49.4% of black girls aged 9 years had breast development compared with 24.5% of Mexican American girls and 15.8% of white girls. The mean age at onset of pubic hair, breast development, and menarche was 9.5, 9.5, and 12.1 year for black girls; 10.3, 9.8, and 12.2 years for Mexican American girls; and 10.5, 10.3, and 12.7 years for white girls. These ethnic differences remained even after adjustment for current body mass index and several social and economic variables.
Conclusion. Black girls on average enter puberty first, followed by Mexican American and then white girls.
Early Postnatal Dexamethasone Decreases Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Tracheal Aspirate Fluid From Premature Infants
Authors: Lassus Patrik , Nupponen Irmeli , Kari Anneli , Pohjavuori Maija , Andersson Sture 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To evaluate in preterm infants the effect of dexamethasone on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), an epithelial cell mitogen, and on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell mitogen, in tracheal aspirate fluid (TAF).
Methods. Thirty preterm infants (birth weight: 1000–1500 g) with respiratory distress syndrome were randomized to receive dexamethasone or to serve as control subjects. Dexamethasone was started at the age of 12 to 24 hours at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/d for 2 days and 0.25 mg/kg/d for the subsequent 2 days. HGF and VEGF levels were examined from TAF samples during the first postnatal week. For eliminating the effect of dilution, the concentration of the secretory component of immunoglobulin A was determined. Student t test, 1-way analysis of variance, χ2, and simple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.
Results. Mean HGF concentrations were similar in the dexamethasone and control groups on days 1 to 2, but the dexamethasone group had a lower mean HGF concentration on days 3 to 4 and 5 to 7. In contrast, no differences existed in mean VEGF levels between the dexamethasone and control groups.
Conclusions. In preterm infants who received early postnatal dexamethasone, reduced levels of HGF were seen in tracheal aspirates. This reduction may participate in the suppressive effects of dexamethasone on lung development.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Universal Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Newborn Screening
Authors: Schoen Edgar J. , Baker John C. , Colby Christopher J. , To Trinh T. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To estimate potential costs and benefits of routinely using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to screen newborns for inborn errors of metabolism.Method. Analysis of costs and benefits resulting from use of MS/MS in screening of 32 000 newborn infants using data from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California plus other published data.Setting. A large health maintenance organization.Results. In the base scenario, the cost per quality-adjusted life year saved by MS/MS screening was $5827; in the least favorable scenario, this cost was $11 419, and in the most favorable scenario, $736.Conclusion. Costs per quality-adjusted life year saved by MS/MS screening for inborn errors of metabolism compare favorably with other mass screening programs, including those for breast and prostate cancer.
Relation of Age at Menarche to Race, Time Period, and Anthropometric Dimensions: The Bogalusa Heart Study
Authors: Freedman David S. , Khan Laura Kettel , Serdula Mary K. , Dietz William H. , Srinivasan Sathanur R. , Berenson Gerald S. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To assess secular trends in menarcheal age between 1973 and 1994 and to determine whether childhood levels of height, weight, and skinfold thicknesses can account for racial (white/black) differences in menarcheal age.
Methods. Data from 7 cross-sectional examinations of school-aged children, with menarcheal age obtained through interviews, were used for both cross-sectional (11 218 observations) and longitudinal (n = 2058) analyses. In the latter analyses, the baseline examination was performed between ages 5.0 and 9.9 years, and the mean follow-up was 6 years.
Results. Black girls experienced menarche, on average, 3 months earlier than did white girls (12.3 vs 12.6 years), and during the 20-year study period, the median menarcheal age decreased by approximately 9.5 months among black girls versus approximately 2 months among white girls. As compared with 5- to 9-year-old white girls, black girls were taller and weighed more, characteristics that were predictive of a relatively early (before age 11.0 years) menarche. However, even after adjustment for weight, height, and other characteristics, the rate of early menarche remained 1.4-fold higher among black girls than among white girls.
Conclusions. Additional study of the determinants of menarcheal age is needed, as the timing of pubertal maturation may influence the risk of various diseases in adulthood.
Study of 22 Egyptian Patients With Diamond-Blackfan Anemia, Corticosteroids, and Cyclosporin Therapy Results
Authors: El-Beshlawy Amal , Ibrahim Ilham Youssry , Rizk Samia , Eid Khalid 
Published: August 2004

Objective. Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a rare congenital hypoproliferative anemia of infancy and early childhood. Treatment with corticosteroids is commonly used, but with limited success. Trials with cyclosporin-A (CSA) are not frequently reported. Therefore, in this study we analyzed our results in the management of this rare disease by different medical treatments.
Design. The results of 22 patients diagnosed at our Hematology Center in the New Cairo University Children’s Hospital during the period 1991–2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Our patients first received prednisolone (2 mg/kg/d) for different courses according to their response. Since the year 2000, the steroid nonresponders received CSA (3–12 mg/kg/d) for 6 months unless treatment complications developed.
Results. The age at the onset of the disease ranged from 1 to 24 months (median: 2.5 months). The mean values of the hemoglobin, the reticulocyte count, and the myeloid/erythroid ratio at the onset of the disease were 4.75 ± 1.79 g/dL, 0.14 ± 0.16, and 39.4 ± 27.08, respectively. Patients received prednisolone from 0.25 to 10 years (median: 2 years). Ten patients were nonresponders (45.5%), and 5 patients (22.7%) responded to corticosteroid therapy. Two of 5 responders are off treatment with a hemoglobin level of &gt;9 g/dL, and 3 of 5 are currently corticosteroid-dependent. Of 10 patients not responding to steroids, 8 received CSA for 6 months. Four patients (50%) responded to CSA therapy. A significant positive association was found between CSA dose and response.
Conclusion. CSA therapy should be tried in steroid-resistant Diamond-Blackfan anemia patients before blood transfusion or corticosteroid therapy complications are instituted.
Imbalance Between Production and Conjugation of Bilirubin: A Fundamental Concept in the Mechanism of Neonatal Jaundice
Authors: Kaplan Michael , Muraca Maurizio , Hammerman Cathy , Rubaltelli Firmino F. , Vilei Maria T. , Vreman Hendrik J. , Stevenson David K. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the roles of production and conjugation of bilirubin, individually and in combination, in the mechanism of neonatal jaundice.Methods. A cohort of healthy, term male newborns was sampled on the third day of life, coincident with routine metabolic screening, for blood carboxyhemoglobin determination, a reflection of heme catabolism, and for serum unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin fractions, reflecting bilirubin conjugation. The former was determined by gas chromatography, corrected for inspired CO (COHbc), and expressed as percentage of total hemoglobin. Serum bilirubin fractions were quantified by alkaline methanolysis and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The sum of all bilirubin fractions comprised serum total bilirubin (STB). Total conjugated bilirubin (TCB) was comprised of the sum of the conjugated fractions and was expressed as percentage of STB (TCB[%]). A “bilirubin production/conjugation index” (COHbc/[TCB(%)] represented the combined roles of these modalities in the mechanism of bilirubinemia. Relationships between STB concentrations on the one hand, and COHbc values, TCB(%) proportions, and the production/conjugation index on the other, were determined by applying a best-fit regression analysis methodology.Results. Mean (± standard deviation) STB concentration at the time of sampling was 114 ± 48 μmol/L (range: 8–263 μmol/L). Mean COHbc value was 0.77 ± 0.19%, and median (interquartile range) TCB(%) was 0.737 (0.465–1.260)%. COHbc values correlated directly with STB concentrations (r = 0.38; s = 46.1), and TCB(%) correlated inversely with STB (r = 0.40; s = 45.8). The production/conjugation index correlated positively with STB values (r = 0.61; s = 45.8), the r value for the index being higher than that of either COHbc or TCB(%), individually. The bilirubin production/conjugation index seemed to have a biphasic relationship to STB: STB values rose steeply in concert with increasing index values in the lower range of the index, and subsequently plateaued in the higher range of the index.Conclusions. Within the range of STB concentrations encountered, both increasing bilirubin production and diminishing bilirubin conjugation contributed to STB. The production/conjugation index confirmed that imbalance between production and conjugation of bilirubin plays an important role in the mechanism of neonatal bilirubinemia. alkaline methanolysis, bilirubin, bilirubin conjugation, carbon monoxide, carboxyhemoglobin, gas chromatography, hemolysis, high performance liquid chromatography, physiologic jaundice.
Is Obesity Associated With Early Sexual Maturation? A Comparison of the Association in American Boys Versus Girls
Authors: Wang Youfa 
Published: August 2004

Background. Increasing evidence suggests a close association between early sexual maturation (SM) and obesity in girls and female adults. Earlier maturing girls are more likely to be obese than nonearly maturers. However, limited research has been conducted in boys.
Objective. To examine the influence of early SM on fatness in boys and compare it with girls, and to test the hypothesis that the associations differ by gender because of the differences in growth and SM patterns in boys and girls.
Study Design. Cross-sectional study.
Subjects. One thousand five hundred one girls and 1520 boys (aged 8–14 years) who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey survey (1988–1994) and had complete anthropometry (weight, height, skinfold thickness) and SM data.
Methods. Based on each individual’s age and SM status (Tanner stages: genitalia stages for boys and breast stages for girls), the subjects were classified as: 1) early maturers (those who reached a certain Tanner stage earlier than the median age for that stage), and 2) the others (average and later maturers). Overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile, and obesity ≥95th percentile. Logistic regression analysis was to test how early maturation affected the risks for overweight and obese. Using multiple linear regression models, the associations between fatness (BMI and skinfold thickness) and SM were systematically examined. Covariates including age, ethnicity, residence, family income, energy intake, and physical activity were adjusted.
Results. Early SM was positively associated with overweight and obesity in girls, but the associations were reverse for boys. The prevalence of overweight in early maturers versus the others was 22.6% versus 31.6% in boys and 34.4% versus 23.2% in girls; the figures for obesity were 6.7% versus 14.8% and 15.6% versus 8.1%, respectively. Odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals for obesity were 0.4 (0.2, 0.8) for boys and 2.0 (1.1, 3.5) for girls, and covariates were adjusted. Most significant differences in overweight and obesity among ethnic groups disappeared after controlling for SM. Fatness (BMI and skinfold thickness) was associated with SM stages and with early maturation in boys and girls, but the associations were in opposite directions. Compared with their counterparts, early maturing boys were thinner, whereas early maturing girls were fatter.
Conclusions. Obesity is associated with sexual maturation in both boys and girls, but the association differs. There is positive association in girls, but a negative one in boys. Maturation status should be taken into consideration when assessing child and adolescent obesity.
The Efficacy Of Noncontact Oxygen Delivery Methods
Authors: Davies Patrick , Cheng Danny , Fox Adam , Lee LLeona 
Published: August 2004

Objectives. “Wafting” oxygen is a possible strategy to deliver oxygen to a patient who may not tolerate delivery systems that involve contact on the face. We wished to assess the concentration of oxygen delivered to the patient with various methods of “wafting” oxygen.
Design. Three methods of wafting oxygen were examined: an infant resuscitator bag, a standard pediatric Hudson RCI face mask, and a piece of standard green oxygen tubing. Contour lines for oxygen concentrations of 30% to 70% in 10% intervals were found with a Teledyne oxygen meter, at an oxygen flow rate of 5 L/min and 10 L/min. Experimental conditions simulated an infant in a cot in a pediatric ward.
Results. The resuscitator bag can not be recommended for wafting oxygen delivery, as the flow-back valve may close and result in insignificant levels of oxygen delivery. Oxygen tubing gave a useable area too narrow for use with an active patient, with 30% oxygen concentration being available in an area with width of only 18 cm. This is, however, a suitable method in short-term attended administration, either during feeding, or in the situation of a neonatal resuscitation. The standard pediatric Hudson RCI face mask, at a flow rate of 10 L/min, delivers 30% oxygen to an area 35 cm wide and 32 cm from the top of the mask. At 10 L/min, 40% oxygen is delivered to an area 16 cm wide and 14 cm from the top of the mask. This is an area large enough to be usable in the infant who will not tolerate other methods of oxygen delivery. The contour lines are presented graphically.
Conclusions. Although wafting can never replace conventional methods of oxygen delivery to children, if these have failed, a standard pediatric oxygen mask can give significant oxygen therapy without irritating the patient. Care should be taken to place the mask in the area described (ie, opposite the chest) to give the maximum benefit. Short-term administration can be appropriate with standard oxygen tubing aimed at the airway.
Crotaline Fab Antivenom for the Treatment of Children With Rattlesnake Envenomation
Authors: Offerman Steven R. , Bush Sean P. , Moynihan James A. , Clark Richard F. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. There is little data regarding safety or efficacy of Crotalinae polyvalent immune Fab (ovine) antivenom (crotaline Fab) in pediatric patients. Our objective was to provide the first information regarding safety and effectiveness of this new drug in children.
Methods. Data were collected prospectively and retrospectively for all consecutive pediatric patients bitten by rattlesnakes and treated at 2 urban hospitals during 2001. Cases were included if there were signs of envenomation at presentation, patient age was 13 years or less, and there was administration of crotaline Fab. Cases were excluded if antivenin (Crotalidae) polyvalent (equine origin, the conventional antivenom) was given. Primary outcome variables were snakebite severity scores throughout the course of therapy, number of vials of crotaline Fab administered, occurrence of allergic reactions, adjunct surgical therapy, and the presence of permanent sequelae or serum sickness identified at follow-up.
Results. In the 12 cases studied, ages ranged from 14 months to 13 years (mean: 6.9; standard deviation: 4.2). Presentation snakebite severity scores ranged from 2 to 9 (mean: 5.3; standard deviation: 2.3). Total crotaline Fab doses ranged from 4 to 22 vials (mean: 12.7; standard deviation: 5.4). Initial control of symptoms was achieved with 4 to 16 vials (mean: 7.7; standard deviation: 3.7), and severity scores stabilized or improved within 24 hours in all patients. Recurrence of local swelling occurred in 1 case despite scheduled repeat doses of antivenom. No cases required surgical intervention, and no permanent sequelae were identified. No immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions occurred.
Conclusion. In this group of pediatric patients treated for rattlesnake envenomation, crotaline Fab antivenom was safe and seemed to be effective.
Gang Involvement and the Health of African American Female Adolescents
Authors: Wingood Gina M. , DiClemente Ralph J. , Crosby Rick , Harrington Kathy , Davies Susan L. , Hook Edward W. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To examine the association between gang involvement and female adolescents’ health.
Methods. African American adolescent females (N = 522) completed a survey that assessed their history of gang involvement and health behaviors and provided specimens that were analyzed for marijuana use and sexually transmitted diseases.
Results. In logistic regression analyses, adolescents with a history of gang involvement were more likely to have been expelled from school (odds ratio [OR]: 3.6), be a binge drinker (OR: 3.3), have a positive toxicologic test for marijuana (OR: 2.6), have been in 3 or more fights in the past 6 months (OR: 3.8), have a nonmonogamous partner (OR: 2.4), and test positive for Trichomonas vaginalis (OR: 2.2) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (OR: 3.6).
Conclusion. This study extends the current research on risk behaviors associated with gang involvement to include biological markers for substance use and sexual health outcomes, namely, marijuana use and sexually transmitted diseases.
Impact of Mandatory Helmet Legislation on Bicycle-Related Head Injuries in Children: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Macpherson Alison K. , To Teresa M. , Macarthur Colin , Chipman Mary L. , Wright James G. , Parkin Patricia C. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. Childhood bicycle-related head injuries can be prevented through the use of helmets. Although helmet legislation has proved to be a successful strategy for the adoption of helmets, its effect on the rates of head injury is uncertain. In Canada, 4 provinces have such legislation. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of helmet legislation on bicycle-related head injuries in Canadian children.
Methods. Routinely collected data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information identified all Canadian children (5–19 years) who were hospitalized for bicycling-related injuries from 1994–1998. Children were categorized as head or other injury on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes. Rates of head injuries and other injuries were compared over time in provinces that adopted legislation and those that did not.
Results. Of the 9650 children who were hospitalized because of a bicycle-related injury, 3426 sustained injuries to the head and face and the remaining 6224 had other injuries. The bicycle-related head injury rate declined significantly (45% reduction) in provinces where legislation had been adopted compared with provinces and territories that did not adopt legislation (27% reduction).
Conclusion. This country-wide study compared rates of head injury in regions with and without mandatory helmet legislation. Comparing head injuries with other non-head-injured children controlled for potential differences in children’s cycling habits. The strong protective association between helmet legislation and head injuries supports the adoption of helmet legislation as an effective tool in the prevention of childhood bicycle-related head injuries.
Pain Reduction at Venipuncture in Newborns: Oral Glucose Compared With Local Anesthetic Cream
Authors: Gradin Maria , Eriksson Mats , Holmqvist Gunilla , Holstein Åsa , Schollin Jens 
Published: August 2004

Objective. A number of studies have shown that orally administered sweet-tasting solutions reduce signs of pain during painful procedures. The local anesthetic cream EMLA has recently been shown to be safe for use in neonates. This study compared the pain-reducing effect of orally administered glucose with that of EMLA cream during venipuncture in newborns.
Methods. Randomized, controlled, double-blind study including 201 newborns undergoing venipuncture for clinical purposes. Ninety-nine of the newborns received EMLA on the skin and orally administered placebo (sterile water), and 102 received glucose 30% orally and placebo (Unguentum Merck) on the skin. Symptoms associated with pain at venipuncture were measured with the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scale (also validated for full-term infants). Heart rate and crying time were recorded.
Results. There were no differences in background variables between the 2 groups.
The results shows that the PIPP scores were significantly lower in the glucose group (mean: 4.6) compared with the EMLA group (mean: 5.7). The duration of crying in the first 3 minutes was significantly lower in the glucose group (median: 1 second) than in the EMLA group (median: 18 seconds). There were significantly fewer patients in the glucose group who were scored having pain (defined as PIPP score above 6); 19.3% compared with 41.7% in the EMLA group. The changes in heart rate were similar in both groups.
Conclusions. We found that glucose is effective in reducing symptoms associated with pain from venipuncture in newborns and seems to be better than the local anesthetic cream EMLA.