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Biomedical subjects

R M Cavanaugh

Publications and source records attributed to R M Cavanaugh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Basic assessment and screening for substance abuse in the pediatrician's office.

In summary, it is apparent that discussions on substance abuse should begin at the prenatal visit and extend through adolescence. Educational efforts and preventive strategies must be given highest priority. Signs and symptoms may be subtle, and pediatricians should have a high index of suspicion, particularly for high-risk individuals. Practitioners also must be willing to routinely address other important psychosocial-medical issues that are closely correlated with the use of drugs and alcohol. Laboratory assessment and formal substance abuse screening instruments should be used under selected circumstances. Following diagnosis, referral to the appropriate resources and coordination of follow-up services are important roles for the primary care clinician.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Developmental changes in multifrequency tympanograms.

The normal maturational course of tympanometric shape, static aural acoustic admittance and ear canal wall characteristics were investigated in healthy infants, who were followed at various time intervals in the first 4 months of life. Susceptance and conductance tympanograms were recorded from both ears of each subject at four probe frequencies or more. In addition, quantitative pneumatic otoscopy was performed utilizing air pressure changes of the same magnitude as those typically used in tympanometry. Results for the group were an increase in admittance magnitude with increasing age at frequencies above 226 Hz. Admittance phase angle increased with age at all frequencies, indicating a growing contribution of compliant elements in the first 4 months of life. The course of development of input admittance at the tympanic membrane differed among individual infants. Otoscopic findings indicated that external ear canal differences cannot completely account for tympanometric differences between young infants and adults.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMed1990

Utilizing the phone appointment for adolescent follow-up.

Fifty young women were given 126 telephone appointments as a supplement to follow-up care in a university hospital adolescent clinic. Eighty (64%) calls were placed on the appropriate day, 71 (89%) of which were within 20 minutes of the assigned time. Patients with one or two clinic visits honored 39 of 52 (75%) of their phone appointments, whereas those with 11 or more visits kept only 8 of 17 (47%). Telephone appointments scheduled directly in the clinic were kept on 66 of 98 (67%) occasions as compared to 14 of 28 (50%) for those made over the phone. Sixty-four of 93 (69%) calls were made when the interval from the time the phone appointments were given to date of appointment was 7 days or less, while 16 of 33 (48%) responded when this period was 8 days or longer. The data document the compliance of adolescent girls with telephone appointments and suggest that this technique may be a useful adjunct for monitoring patients requiring close medical follow-up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Pediatricians and the pneumatic otoscope: are we playing it by ear?

The amount of positive pressure delivered during pneumatic otoscopy was recorded in 53 healthy pediatric patients. The pressures generated ranged from 338 to 1134 mm H2O. The mean pressure introduced was 748 mm H2O with the bulb and 502 mm H2O through the mouthpiece. The mean intraobserver variation in pressure delivered to each patient was 199 and 125 mm H2O with these two methods of insufflation, respectively. These data document the wide variation in pressures generated with the pneumatic otoscope and suggest that the feasibility of modifying this instrument into a standardized, objective pneumatic system should be explored.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMed1987

Pneumatic otoscopy in healthy full-term infants.

Pneumatic otoscopy was performed on 81 healthy full-term babies during the first 72 hours of life and at routine well-baby follow-up visits. Only 14 of 115 (12%) of the eardrums visualized during the first three days of life moved briskly to insufflation as compared with 29 of 65 (44%) and 50 of 71 (71%) by 3 weeks and 10 weeks of age, respectively. A pink color was noted in 38 of 115 (33%) and redness in five of 115 (4%) of the eardrums examined during the first 72 hours of life, whereas 64 of 71 (90%) of the tympanic membranes appeared gray by age 10 weeks. Tympanic membrane dullness, decreased light reflex, and diminished translucence occurred in greater than 90% of the infants during the first three days of life and declined to 26% or less by 4 months of age. The data suggest that limited mobility, changes in color, poor luster, and relative opacity of the tympanic membrane occur in healthy neonates and may reflect physiologic changes unique to the newborn period.

Color↗
PubMed1987

Evaluating adolescents with fatigue.

Although most adolescents who complain of fatigue do not have a serious medical illness, the complaint cannot be dismissed without further investigation. If the diagnosis remains uncertain after a careful history and a thorough physical examination, laboratory tests, including complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, urinalysis and an Epstein-Barr antibody profile, may be considered next. If the etiology is still unclear, sequential visits often provide clues for the physician and reassurance for the family.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Obtaining a personal and confidential history from adolescents. An opportunity for prevention.

Fifty adolescent girls ages 12-18 years (mean 14.9 years) were asked to complete a confidential questionnaire exploring many important issues of adolescence. The responses included the following: 38 (76%) girls did not wear seatbelts while riding in a car, 23 (46%) had used alcoholic beverages (10 at age less than or equal to 13 years), 17 (34%) had experience with marijuana, four (8%) had used other psychoactive drugs, and 14 (28%) were having sexual intercourse, while only eight were using contraception. Of the 16 (32%) girls who smoked cigarettes ten did not want to quit. Twenty-two (44%) girls had dysmenorrhea but only four had sought medical attention for the problem. This study suggests the usefulness of a questionnaire to identify individual health care needs for which preventive counseling may be offered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Developmental regression as an early manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Loss of previously attained developmental milestones in an infant is often associated with central nervous system tumor, neuromuscular disease, or an inborn metabolic error. An infant with developmental regression and involuntary movements who was found to be vitamin B12 deficient on the basis of unrecognized maternal vitamin B12 deficiency is described. The infant had a dramatic neurologic recovery after receiving vitamin B12. The case and a review of similar cases is presented.

Anemia, Macrocytic↗
PubMed1983

Pityriasis rosea in children. A review.

Pityriasis rosea is a common disorder of unknown etiology that may simulate a number of other dermatologic entities. Secondary syphilis should always be ruled out, particularly in adolescents. Pruritus occurs more frequently than is generally appreciated. The herald patch may not always be present. Secondary lesions occasionally occur distal to the elbows and knees and on the face. Over the more proximal parts of the body the secondary lesions will characteristically align themselves with the long axis following the skin lines of cleavage. The natural course is that of spontaneous resolution within 6 to 8 weeks. Sequelae are rare and usually medically insignificant. Management with oral antipruritics and/or topical steroids may be necessary to relieve the itching.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Genital self-examination in adolescent males.

Self-examination of the genital area is an important technique to teach adolescent males. It facilitates early detection of testicular cancer and permits prompt recognition of venereal lesions. The general physical examination enables the physician to assess the stage of sexual development, detect any genital abnormalities and instruct the adolescent in the self-examination technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Breast self-examination in adolescents.

Although serious breast lesions are unusual in adolescence, girls should learn how to perform breast self-examination. This will enable them to detect abnormal growths or galactorrhea. It will also encourage them to establish an important lifelong practice while they are young. Respect for the patient's modesty during the course of the demonstration is essential.

Adolescent↗