This article describes TORCH infections, a congenital cluster of infections including toxoplasmosis, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes which often results in developmental disabilities for infected children. Methods of transmission, incidence, and developmental outcomes for common TORCH infections are described, as are program…

The booklet summarizes proceedings from a conference on prenatal and perinatal factors associated with learning disabilities and neurological problems. Many of the papers report data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, a longitudinal study of pregnancy…

If social roles rather than biological destiny are responsible for sex differences in disease, then employed women should show patterns of illness similar to those of employed men, and different from those of housewives. Recent national mortality and morbidity data, however, do not indicate whether employed women are sicker or healthier than…

A review of pediatric psychology considers interventions by school personnel to promote the school adjustment of children with serious medical illness. Psychosocial and educational impacts of cancer, spina bifida, enuresis, and encopresis are discussed; and suggestions for managing children with chronic health disorders, serious illness, and…

Issues in the development of community health education programs for rural areas include: (1) knowledge of disease processes; (2) health care intervention; (3) systems intervention; (4) ethics for change; and (5) program implementation. (JN)

Young children with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) of perinatal origin often present with increasing medical and developmental problems after the first half year of life. Most eventually require foster care; some are integrated in intervention or preschool services; others are in segregated educational programs. Family supports and specialized…

Abstinence education is receiving increased attention as a way of preventing both teen pregnancy and risky sexual behavior. Effective sex education programs provide basic information about the risks of unprotected intercourse and also address the social influences on sexual behavior. Sidebars contain student comments. (MLF)

Describes health problems experienced by the 12,000 migrants in New Jersey. Illustrates the needs for more attention and resources from the medical community. New Jersey programs, including school health services, are relatively advanced in protecting the rights and health of migrant workers, but a lack of resources limits the delivery of…

Advocacy in illness and aging is a formidable challenge. Provides an uncommon but reasonable framework for freeing clinicians, educators, and helping professionals from their own ideas which periodically are rendered problematic in providing successful intervention. Several illustrations of these practical problems are presented. Some postures for…

Smoking in pregnancy is a serious health risk to mother and baby that is associated with premature birth, low birth weight and respiratory disorders. Recently it has become apparent that smoking in pregnancy can have long-term consequences for the child, including learning difficulties, elevated risk of diabetes, obesity and asthma. Over the past…

This document consists of the six issues of the "Wilderness Medicine Newsletter" issued during 1995. The newsletter addresses issues related to the treatment and prevention of medical emergencies in the wilderness. Issues typically include feature articles, interviews with doctors in the field of wilderness medicine, product reviews,…

Five bulletins of the National Center for Clinical Infant Programs provide articles with the following titles and authors: "Motor Control as a Resource for Adaptive Coping" (G. Gordon Williamson et al.); "Fostering Emotional and Social Development in Infants with Disabilities" (Stanley Greenspan); "Dramatic Responses in a…

The book defines and discusses eight key elements of a family-centered approach to care for children with chronic illnesses and special health care needs: (1) recognition that the family is the constant in the child's life, while the service systems and personnel within those systems fluctuate; (2) facilitation of parent/professional collaboration…

Discusses research and interventions related to family health care. Topics include health promotion; risk behaviors; vulnerability and illness onset; choosing health care systems; stress; caregiving and coping; family counseling; and family responses to Alzheimer's Disease, pediatric cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and obesity. (JAC)

Covers recent court decisions on the legality of required sex education courses and required immunizations. Also reviews decisions on schools' rights in preventing some students from participating in organized sports and summarizes the expected school roles in cases of communicable disease and in possible instances of child abuse and neglect. (JW)