Pediatric clinics of North America
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The consequences of adolescent sexual behavior are an enormous burden both for the adolescent and society. The problem is not that teens are sexually active but rather that they have little preparation and guidance in developing responsible sexual behavior. Developmentally, adolescents reach physical maturity before they are cognitively able to appreciate the consequences of their behavior. ⋯ In the office, the practitioner can provide accurate sexual information to both parents and adolescents, support parental-child communication on sexual issues, and provide appropriate services or referral. In the community, the practitioner can advocate for school-based sex education as well as act as an information resource. Finally, the practitioner can advocate for the health care needs for adolescents on a national level, supporting legislation that provides adolescents with information and access to services necessary to make responsible sexual decisions.
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The use of children in research raises the questions about proper justification, assessment of benefit in relation to risk, ability to consent, compensation, and the just selection of subjects. Although substantive and procedural standards have evolved, subpopulations of vulnerable children created new challenges and concerns.
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Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Dec 1988
ReviewDying is no accident. Adolescents, violence, and intentional injury.
Violence and its consequences are a major issue to be addressed by the health care community. The magnitude and characteristics of the problem cry out for new, creative approaches and provide for some insight into the direction that needs to be taken. ⋯ Although there will be no easy answers or solutions to this problem, it is essential that support be developed for experimental efforts. The health community cannot ignore this problem and can in fact make a real contribution to its resolution through prevention, treatment, and research.
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This article reviews the processes of normal adrenal function, including the three main classes of hormones. From there it describes reduced or absent enzyme activity in the stages of steroid synthesis, and proceeds to outline the enzyme deficiency responsible for the clinical effects that manifest themselves in characteristic metabolic disturbances.
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Drowning is the second most common cause of accidental death in children. Swimming pools and natural bodies of water close to home present the greatest risk to young children. ⋯ Ice-water submersion accidents are an important subgroup of near-drowning victims, who at times can defy predictions for outcome after profound anoxic-ischemic insults. Drowning accident prevention is an important public health measure.