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Biomedical subjects

V C Strasburger

Publications and source records attributed to V C Strasburger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Acne. What every pediatrician should know about treatment.

Acne is one of the most common and easily treated diseases of adolescents. Scarring can be prevented in most cases with early and vigorous treatment. But such treatment requires patience, skill, and a commitment to good counseling.

Acne Vulgaris↗

What every pediatrician should know about infectious mononucleosis in adolescents.

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is one of the most common diseases occurring during adolescence. Appreciation of IM's varied clinical presentations, its differential diagnosis, and the difficulties involved in making the laboratory diagnosis will enable clinicians to treat teenagers more effectively in their office practices.

Adolescent↗

Secretory IgA in cervical mucus.

PURPOSE: Sexually active adolescent girls are uniquely vulnerable to sexually transmitted disease, including cervical cancer and AIDS. Little is known about the development of genital immunity in adolescents. Secretory IgA (sIgA) in cervical mucus is an important component of genital immunity. We studied sIgA levels in cervical mucus samples for both adolescent and adult females. METHODS: Samples were collected in a university-based adolescent medicine clinic and a university student health center. Participants consisted of 13 sexually active adolescent girls and fourteen adult controls. Samples were collected in the course of routine pelvic exams. All subjects were at least two years post menarche. Mucus was aspirated directly from the cervical os. Diluted samples were liquefied with a proteolytic enzyme (bromelain). Secretory IgA levels were measured by radial immunodiffusion using IgA2 from pooled human plasma as a standard. RESULTS: Secretory IgA levels for the adolescent group (mean 0.157 g/L SD 0.080) were slightly lower than for the adult group mean (0.199 g/L SD 0.130) although not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical sIgA levels were comparable between sexually active adolescents and adults.

Adolescent↗

Sexually transmitted diseases.

Adolescents have the highest rate of sexually transmitted disease (STD) of any sexually active age group. This article reviews the biological, psychological, and social factors that place adolescents at increased risk for STDs. The major STDs are reviewed, including epidemiology, clinical presentation, methods of diagnosis, and treatment modalities. In addition, major sequelae of STDs--including pelvic inflammatory disease, perihepatitis, Reiter's syndrome, and disseminated gonorrhea infection--are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Adolescent sexuality: Part 4. The practitioner's role.

Practitioners who provide care for adolescents have a unique opportunity to address issues of adolescent sexuality. This article discusses shortcomings in residency training and possible solutions. The role of the practitioner in the office setting, issues of confidentiality and consent, and school-based sexuality education are reviewed.

Adolescent↗

Children and the influence of the media.

Violence, increased sexual activity, and antisocial behaviors involving children and adolescents are being blamed on the media. American children and adolescents spend 21 to 23 hours per week viewing television. Children will see 200,000 violent acts on television by age 18 and view over 14,000 sexual situations and innuendoes per year. The primary care physician can play a crucial role in reducing the potential negative influence of the media on children.

Adolescent↗

Adolescent sexual activity.

Adolescents are becoming sexually active at younger ages. One half of the adolescents in the United States are sexually active. This article reviews adolescent sexual activity, including rates of sexual activity, sexual practices, gay and lesbian youth, and factors affecting the initiation of sexual activity. In addition, adolescent pregnancy, with possible outcomes and effects on teen parents and their offspring, is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Adolescent Sexuality: Part 2. Contraception.

The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Western world. Although abstinence may be the ideal solution for the prevention of this problem, one half of adolescents in the United States are sexually active. This article reviews the epidemiology of contraception among adolescents, barriers to effective use of contraception, and ways to improve efficacy. Major methods of contraception, including oral contraceptive pills, Norplant, Depo-Provera, condoms, spermicide, sponge, intrauterine device (IUD), diaphragm, and rhythm/periodic abstinence, are discussed along with method-specific issues related to adolescents.

Adolescent↗

Children, adolescents, and television.

As we have indicated, children's television has either a documented or probable effect on a variety of health-related behaviors in children and adolescents in the United States. Studies of cognitive development indicate that television provides a stimulus for learning and that children learn from television. The adverse effects of television appear related to both the time spent watching television and the content of the programs that are viewed. The reviewed observations suggest that a variety of initiatives are warranted to alter the time children spend watching television, the content of programs, and the types of programs for children and adolescents that are produced and broadcast. These initiatives require the development of effective techniques and materials for counseling parents, as well as continued political and legislative activities at the local and national level. We must promote the conviction that time spent in activities other than television viewing will provide our children with the values necessary to understand and interact with an increasingly complex world. Effective governmental action on behalf of children to change television will require a reaffirmation and enforcement of the Public Interest Standard. For half a century, the broadcast media have been licensed to use the airwaves in the public interest. The diversity and magnitude of the adverse effects of television on the health of children strongly suggest that the use of television has not been in the public interest. Although cable television offers multiple alternatives, less than 60% of American households receive cable. Broadcast television still represents the only alternative for 40% of American children. Substantial regulatory change by the current administration is unlikely. Therefore, legislative activity to mandate broadcast practices responsive to the needs of children appears the most appropriate national approach.

Adolescent↗