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Abstract. Solitary thyroid nodules in childhood had a 40% to 70% incidence of malignancy in the era of low-dose therapeutic irradiation. In the last 15 years, 36 children have been evaluated for such nodules, with a final diagnosis of carcinoma in 17%, adenoma in 58%, and miscellaneous diagnoses in 26%. All patients with carcinoma were euthyroid and had no history of irradiation in infancy. Treatment included thyroidectomy and full-replacement thyroid therapy. Benign neoplasms were often "cold" by scan; all patients were euthyroid except one adolescent boy with T[sub 3] toxicosis. A majority proved to be follicular adenomas at surgery. Miscellaneous benign conditions outnumbered carcinoma and included variations in migration or embryologic development of the thyroid anlagen, thyroiditis, and a thyroid abcess. A [sup 99m]Tc scan proved more valuable in diagnosis than thyroid function tests: a "hot" nodule usually suggested a developmental abnormality of the thyroid rather than a tumor. Our series of children, born since the dangers of irradiation have become common knowledge, suggests there may be a changing trend in the pathology encountered in solitary thyroid nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Figures for height and weight and derived values for total body water and fat were assembled for groups of girls with a variety of disorders to examine their conformity to the hypothesis of Frisch and Revelle that menarche occurs at a "critical" weight associated with a decline in metabolic rate and achievement of a characteristic body composition. The groups examined included girls with unusually tall stature, central idiopathic precocity, precocity associated with hypothyroidism, girls with hypothyroidism but lacking signs of sexual maturation, one group with gonadal dysgenesis, and another of girls with obesity. Girls with tall stature significantly exceeded the "critical" weight of 47.8 kg before achieving menarche but had onset of menses in accordance with the body composition hypothesis. The body composition of girls with idiopathic sex precocity was altered toward that at menarche of normals although the patients were much smaller and younger. The same trend was exaggerated in girls in whom precocity was associated with hypothyroidism; equally hypothyroid girls showing no signs of adolescent development had body compositions similar to those of age-matched controls. Girls with gonadal dysgenesis showed an alteration in Body composition paralleling that of normals between the ages when the latter begin the pubertal growth spurt and achieve menarche. Girls under 8 years of age with simple obesity had an even greater percentage of body fat than normal menarchal girls but showed no signs of puberty. It is concluded that menarche is not necessarily triggered by achievement of a critical body weight or lowering of metabolism. Neither are the rising levels of... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Three children with severe hypoglycemic reactions secondary to dumping syndrome were studied to discern the mechanism by which hypoglycemia occurred. Symptoms in patient 1 developed after fundoplication, !generalized autonomic dysfunction occurred in patient 2, and dumping syndrome developed in patient 3 after malplacement of a feeding gastrostomy tube. Average blood glucose levels studied during and after two to seven meals in each child were 375 +/- 97 mg/dL (mean +/SD) 30 minutes postprandially and 35 +/- 10 mg/dL >120 minutes later. Swings in glucose values were proportional to the volume of meals. Insulin and glucagon levels were followed during a single meal challenge test in each patient; the average glucose concentration increased to 356 +/- 59 mg/dL 30 minutes postprandially and decreased to 32 +/- 11 mg/dL at 150 +/- 30 minutes. Hormonal analyses indicated (1) inappropriate early release of glucagon (300 pg/mL at 15 minutes) in patient 1, (2) exuberant early release of insulin (maximum 190 +/- 15 micro U/ mL) resulting in rapid decrease in glucose concentration in all patients, (3) development and/or persistence of hypoglycemia after the decline in circulating insulin to undetectable levels, and (4) inadequate glucagon response to hypoglycemia resulting in sustained hypoglycemia. These data indicate that gross disturbances of the insulin-glucagon axis attend childhood dumping syndrome. Pediatrics 1987;80:937-942; hypoglycemia, dumping syndrome, insulin, glucagon, fundoplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on estrogen treatment of tall adolescent girls. Development of secondary sexual characteristics; Mechanism of the obesifying action of estrogen; Anxiety over the real and imagined hazards of estrogen therapy.

Discusses the care of children with major burn injuries. Details of first aid treatment; Common causes of burns in children; Outline of the initial evaluation and treatment measures.

Comments on a study which focused on congenital hypothyroidism and prolonged neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Relationship between congenital myxedema and hyperbilirubinemia; Case example of the condition; Discussion of the type of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.