Sexualité des adolescents: epidémiologie, approche clinique et stratégies préventives [Adolescent sexuality: epidemiology, clinical approach and preventive measures].

The interest in sexuality of adolescents in medical practice is often mainly focussed on the onset of sexual intercourse and on the emergence of contraceptive needs, though the beginning of adolescence takes place much earlier with the first signs of puberty followed by the menarche. At the issue of this profound metamorphosis the adolescent needs to adapt herself to a modified, sexual body. Adolescence is also a time of identity development and of changes in relationships, which are influenced by gender role in family and perception related to gender during childhood. This article shows epidemiological data to consider and the main issues of gynaecologic consultation with the adolescent. The different stages of development depend on biological and environmental factors which either favour resilience or weaken the individual due to a lack of affection or to abusive relationships. Medical consultation for a gynaecological problem, questions on puberty and development or on contraception give medical professionals and especially gynaecologists a chance to address sexual issues naturally, to anticipate questions as well as contraceptive needs. The consultation with the adolescent includes also the screening for behaviour related to a lack of information or a personal or relational difficulty.

Comparison of plantar pressure distribution in adolescent runners at low vs. high running velocity

This study aimed to compare foot plantar pressure distribution while jogging and running in highly trained adolescent runners. Eleven participants performed two constant-velocity running trials either at jogging (11.2 ± 0.9 km/h) or running (17.8 ± 1.4 km/h) pace on a treadmill. Contact area (CA in cm(2)), maximum force (F(max) in N), peak pressure (PP in kPa), contact time (CT in ms), and relative load (force time integral in each individual region divided by the force time integral for the total plantar foot surface, in %) were measured in nine regions of the right foot using an in-shoe plantar pressure device. Under the whole foot, CA, F(max) and PP were lower in jogging than in running (-1.2% [p<0.05], -12.3% [p<0.001] and -15.1% [p<0.01] respectively) whereas CT was higher (+20.1%; p<0.001). Interestingly, we found an increase in relative load under the medial and central forefoot regions while jogging (+6.7% and +3.7%, respectively; [p<0.05]), while the relative load under the lesser toes (-8.4%; p<0.05) was reduced. In order to prevent overloading of the metatarsals in adolescent runners, excessive mileage at jogging pace should be avoided.

Training needs in adolescent medicine of practising doctors: a Swiss national survey of six disciplines.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the training needs in adolescent medicine of doctors within 6 specialties as a basis for the development of pre/postgraduate and continuing medical education (CME) training curricula. DESIGN: Cross-sectional postal survey. SETTING: Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: National, representative, random sample of 1857 practising doctors in 6 disciplines (general practitioners, paediatricians, gynaecologists, internists, psychiatrists, child psychiatrists) registered with the Swiss Medical Association. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived importance of and training interest in 35 topics related to adolescent medicine listed in a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1367 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 73.9%. Clear interest in adolescent medicine was reported by 62.1% of respondents. Topics perceived to be the most important in everyday practice were functional symptoms (71.4%), acne (67.1%), obesity (64.6%), depression-anxiety (68.1%) and communication with adolescents (61.7%). Differences between disciplines were especially marked for gynaecologists, who expressed interest almost exclusively in medical topics specific to their field. In contrast, other disciplines commonly reported a keen interest in psychosocial problems. Accordingly, interest in further training was expressed mostly for functional symptoms (62.4%), eating disorders (56.3%), depression-anxiety (53.7%) and obesity (52.6%). Issues related to injury prevention, chronic disease and confidentiality were rated as low priorities. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of discipline, Swiss primary care doctors expressed a strong interest in adolescent medicine. Continuing medical education courses should include both interdisciplinary courses and discipline-specific sessions. Further training should address epidemiological and legal/ethical issues (e.g. injury prevention, confidentiality, impact of chronic conditions).

Pédiatrie 5. Approche ciblée de l'ostéoporose chez l'enfant et l'adolescent [Targeted approach to osteoporosis for children and teenagers].

The osteoporosis of the child and the teenager is a pathological reality; its multifactorial pathogenesis often requires a collaborative approach and multidisciplinary. The osteoporosis characterized by a reduction in the bone mineral density is not a uniform pathology; it must be dealt with on all the levels by analyzing the factors of risks, by giving itself the diagnostic means and while insisting on the importance of a preventive approach as well as therapeutic.

Estudi de prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona

L’obesitat infantil, és un dels problemes de salut pública més greus del segle XXI, on la prevalença ha augmentat de manera alarmant a nivell mundial. Aquesta es defineix com una malaltia crònica i multifactorial, que sol iniciar-se en la infantesa i a l’adolescència. L’objectiu principal d’aquest estudi és conèixer la prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona, i relacionar amb aquesta, els hàbits alimentaris, els hàbits d’activitat física, l’entitat de l’institut-escola, hores de son i nivell màxim d’estudis dels progenitors. Material i mètodes: Estudi descriptiu, observacional i transversal sobre una mostra de la població adolescent de Girona de 14 a 16 anys (n=185), els quals se’ls va administrar un qüestionari on es van recollir les variables relacionades amb l’estudi. L’obesitat i el sobrepès es van definir com valors de l’índex de massa corporal iguals o superiors als valors dels percentils 97 i 85, respectivament, de les taules de referencia de la OMS de 2007. Resultats: La prevalença de sobrepès i d’obesitat en la població adolescent de Girona és del 20% i del 3,78%, respectivament. El sobrepès i l’obesitat (23,78%) ha afectat més al sexe masculí (27,7%) respecte el femení (19,8%). S’ha establert relació significativa entre la prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat amb el nivell màxim d’estudis dels progenitors. Hi ha més prevalença de sobrepès i obesitat a l’institut públic en vers el privat amb un 26,7% respecte el 18,5%. Conclusions: Segons la bibliografia consultada, la població adolescent de Girona presenta més elevada la prevalença de sobrepès però no pel que fa la prevalença d’obesitat

Propionic acidemia: clinical course and outcome in 55 pediatric and adolescent patients.

BACKGROUND: Propionic acidemia is an inherited disorder caused by deficiency of propionyl-CoA carboxylase. Although it is one of the most frequent organic acidurias, information on the outcome of affected individuals is still limited. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: Clinical and outcome data of 55 patients with propionic acidemia from 16 European metabolic centers were evaluated retrospectively. 35 patients were diagnosed by selective metabolic screening while 20 patients were identified by newborn screening. Endocrine parameters and bone age were evaluated. In addition, IQ testing was performed and the patients' and their families' quality of life was assessed. RESULTS: The vast majority of patients (>85%) presented with metabolic decompensation in the neonatal period. Asymptomatic individuals were the exception. About three quarters of the study population was mentally retarded, median IQ was 55. Apart from neurologic symptoms, complications comprised hematologic abnormalities, cardiac diseases, feeding problems and impaired growth. Most patients considered their quality of life high. However, according to the parents' point of view psychic problems were four times more common in propionic acidemia patients than in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the outcome of propionic acidemia is still unfavourable, in spite of improved clinical management. Many patients develop long-term complications affecting different organ systems. Impairment of neurocognitive development is of special concern. Nevertheless, self-assessment of quality of life of the patients and their parents yielded rather positive results.

Epidémiologie des traumatismes sportifs de l'enfant et de l'adolescent

Résumé Introduction: Les accidents sont la première cause de mortalité et de morbidité chez les enfants et les adolescents des deux sexes dès le premier mois de vie. Ils ne sont pas le fruit du hasard et ne devraient plus être considérés comme une fatalité. Leur nombre peut être réduit de façon substantielle par une bonne compréhension des processus accidentels et une information adéquate des intervenants. Cependant, les stratégies de prévention doivent se fonder sur une analyse locale de la situation. C'est pourquoi nous avons développé en 1990 un programme d'enregistrement prospectif des accidents d'enfants et d'adolescents. Le présent travail a pour but d'analyser l'épidémiologie de la traumatologie sportive de l'enfant et de l'adolescent. Matériel et méthode: Nous disposons d'un programme d'enregistrement prospectif des accidents d'enfants et d'adolescents de 0 à 16 ans survenus dans le canton de Vaud, Suisse. De 1990 à 2000, nous avons enregistré 24'900 traumatismes aux urgences du Service de chirurgie pédiatrique du CHUV de Lausanne, dont 6'890 (28%) étaient des traumatismes sportifs. Les informations collectées dans cette étude concernent la date de l'accident, l'âge du patient, le sport pratiqué, le type de lésion(s) et le type de suivi (traitement ambulatoire, hospitalisation, etc) et permettent une analyse de l'épidémiologie de la traumatologie sportive de l'enfant sur 11 ans. Résultats: Nette prédominance masculine (1.6 :1). Plus de 50% des enfants ont entre 12 et 15 ans. Vélo, gymnastique et football dominent, représentant à eux seuls 45% des cas. La fréquence des accidents obéit, selon le sport concerné, à un rythme saisonnier et dépendant des vacances. Certaines activités comme la trottinette ou le snowboard apparaissent soudain à la faveur d'une mode. Le ski occasionne 48% de lésions des membres inférieurs, le roller 56% de lésions des membres supérieurs, le basket-ball 57% de lésions de la main, la natation et le plongeon 53% de lésions de la tête ou de la colonne cervicale. Les contusions représentent 27% des consultations. La fracture la plus courante est celle de l'avant-bras, représentant 34% des fractures de membres. Les fractures de la main représentent 69% des fractures de membres au basket-ball, contre 3% dans l'équitation où les fractures de l'humérus prédominent (42%). 10% des patients sont hospitalisés, et 55% seront revus ambulatoirement. Discussion: Chaque sport occasionne des lésions dont le type et la localisation lui sont propres et qui permettent dans la plupart des cas de reconnaître le mécanisme lésionnel et de déterminer des stéréotypes. Conclusion: Une meilleure connaissance des lésions occasionnées par chaque sport devrait permettre le développement de programmes de prévention mieux adaptés. Ils doivent associer le plus grand nombre de partenaires possibles, issus de tous les milieux et passant par une information de ceux-ci.