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Biomedical subjects

Joav Merrick

Publications and source records attributed to Joav Merrick.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Cancer incidence in persons with Down syndrome in Israel.

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence rates of leukaemia and other malignancies in persons with Down syndrome in Israel. The target population consisted of all persons with Down syndrome in the period of 1948-1995 and the study population was divided into two subgroups: (1) Persons born in Israel between 1979-95 (registry group) and (2) Persons currently or past-institutionalised, born before 1979 (institution group). The study population was linked to the Cancer Registry and cases that had been diagnosed through December 1995 were subsequently identified. The observed incidence rates were compared to expected rates in the general population. Standardised Incidence Ratios (SIR) and 95% confidence intervals were computed for each disease category. Analyses of results were performed separately for each subgroup of our study population. In the registry group seven cancer cases were observed as compared to 1.5 expected (SIR = 4.67 95% CI 1.9-9.6), all of which were leukaemia cases. For the institution group a total of 17 cancer cases were observed compared to 12.8 expected. These included four cases of leukaemia (SIR = 6.90 95% CI 1.9-17.7). An excess of gastric cancer in males, based on two cases (SIR = 11.9 95% CI 1.3-42.9) was also observed. The significant excess of leukaemia in the Down syndrome population in Israel is in accordance with other international studies. The excess of gastric cancer in males with Down syndrome, which has not been reported before, should be further explored.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Aging among persons with intellectual disability in Israel in relation to type of residence, age, and etiology.

This study was conducted to compare aging phenomena of persons with intellectual and developmental disability (ID) aged 40 years and older living in community residence (N = 65) with those living with their families (N = 43) in Jerusalem, Israel. All 108 persons and care givers were interviewed to ascertain health problems, sensory impairment, activity of daily living (ADL), cognitive skills, and leisure activities. Health problem had already developed by age 40 years. The most frequent were visual (33%), hearing impairments (20%) and dental problems (30%). The community residence group displayed more medical problems, whereas individuals living at home had more dental problems. Health problems in persons with Down syndrome were significantly higher. ADL functioning for all participants was high, but persons with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy had more dependence. A decline in functioning in both residential groups was observed concerning leisure time, but scores for social life leisure activities were better for the community residential group. The data provided in this study can serve as information to develop geriatric services for persons with ID and provide a basis for comparison with peers in the general population in Israel. Dental service to persons with ID living at home should be improved.

Activities of Daily Living↗
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Trends in school violence.

School violence has been a new research area since the 1980s, when Scandinavian and British researchers first focused on the subject. This violence has sometimes even resulted in murder. Since the late 1980s the World Health Organization (WHO) has conducted cross-national studies every fourth year on Health Behavior in School Aged Children (HBSC). Today 37 countries participate under the guidance of the WHO-European Office. The HBSC school-based survey is conducted with a nationally representative sample of 11, 13 and 15 year old school children in each country using a standard self-administrated questionnaire. The subject of bullying at school has been part of the questionnaire. Results from these surveys and studies in the United States and Israel are presented and it is hoped that the recent public debate and initiatives by the various government agencies will result in reduced school violence in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adolescent pregnancy in Israel.

Teenage or adolescent pregnancy requires the extensive involvement of health care workers in respect to the medical and social aspects of pregnancy, delivery, and later care of both mother and child. Trends in adolescent pregnancy over the last few years from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are presented and related to data from Israel. Adolescent pregnancy in Israel has been on the decline, but in 1999 it was still 3.4% of all live births (131,936 children) with more pregnancies in this group among the non-Jewish population (7.2%) than in the Jewish population (1.7%).

Adolescent↗
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Children and homicide.

Child homicide is as old as human history. It can be classified into intra- and extra familial child homicide. Different forms of homicide are discussed, and research findings show that in the age group 0-3 years the majority of cases were within the family. After age 12 years, it is primarily extra familial. With increased age of the child the phenomenon of child perpetrators is seen to be manifested in school homicide and juvenile crime. Risk factors are mentioned and pediatricians and family physicians should be aware of these in order to try preventive measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Barriers to home care and social support for an adolescent with disability.

Home care for children with disability has expanded in the last twenty years in order to support the child and family at home and avoid hospitalization or long term care facilities. A case story is presented to show several barriers to home care for a 15 year old boy with Hunter's syndrome and severe disability. The case showed a need for further education and coordination of professionals in order for pediatric home care to be more efficient and supportive in Israel.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
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Trends in adolescent sexual risk behaviors.

Many societies worldwide are faced with an increase in adolescent pregnancy, rape, sexual abuse and sexually transmitted disease due to different sexual behaviors and sometimes lack of responsible sexual behaviors. The World Health Organization and the Surgeon General of the United States Government have called for action to this serious public health issue. In this short communication data from the United States, Canada and Israel is presented with a call for a professional response to this public health challenge.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phenylalanine-restricted diet should be life long. A case report on long-term follow-up of an adolescent with untreated phenylketonuria.

The aim of this brief report is to stimulate a debate and to advocate life-long treatment with phenylalanine restricted diet to persons with phenylketonuria. We present a case of an adolescent male who today is a 65 year old with moderate mental retardation. He was previously observed as having severe challenging and self-injurious behaviour, sleeping disorder, hyperactivity, and masturbation. In the last year before reassessment he displayed loss of weight, muscle weakness resulting in wheelchair placement, upper respiratory infections, and fungal skin infections. After reassessment in 1998 the patient was started on treatment with a phenylalanine-restricted diet supplemented with vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid. At follow-up one year later the patient had regained his weight and was walking around freely. The challenging and self-injurious behaviour, and the masturbation, had ceased, and he was participating in social activities which he had previously not been able to participate in. At follow-up four years later he was still at this level of accomplishment. In general, this patient's quality of life had increased. We therefore recommend life-long treatment with phenylalanine restricted diet for persons with previously treated, and also for those with untreated, phenylketonuria.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Female HIV-infected adolescents are now becoming pregnant.

Mortality of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) has increased in parts of the world and resulted in a growing number of children becoming orphans. It is estimated that by year 2010, AIDS will leave 20 million children alone in Africa without one or both parents. In the developed world there has since 1996 been observed a decline in AIDS related deaths, as a result of active antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and the number of people now receiving treatment. A recent report from Puerto Rico on ten pregnancies in perinatally HIV infected adolescents is presented and discussed. It is concluded that a new public health issue will arise due to progress in AIDS treatment, but the sample is too small and follow-up too short to make solid conclusions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trends in adolescent violence.

Adolescent or youth violence is a very visible violence in modern society and in 1996 the World Health Assembly declared violence a leading public health issue. In order to understand the scope of the problem, we looked at the epidemiology of global adolescent violence. In 2000 it was estimated that 199,000 adolescent homicides (9.2 per 100,000) occurred globally or about 565 adolescents died each day due to interpersonal violence with variations around the globe. One type of prevention program that has proven effective is prenatal and early childhood home visitation with long-term follow-up that has shown to be cost effective.

Adolescent↗
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Smoking and adolescence.

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known and tobacco use started in adolescence can over time become a serious addiction with long-term health consequences. Tobacco was brought from America to Europe and has been used not only in Indian rituals, but also for medical purposes. In the 1950s and 1960s the adverse effects were revealed and the health community came out against tobacco smoking. This short communication presents recent trends in American and Israeli adolescent smoking. Recent surveys have shown a decrease in adolescent smoking, but it is still important to continue to reduce the numbers of adolescents who become nicotine dependent. Both American and Israeli youth had a current prevalence of smoking of 28%, so clinicians and practitioners must therefore do their utmost to help prevent smoking onset and try to intervene early to stop smoking among adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical activity, children and adolescents.

Adolescents and young adults benefit from physical activity, which should be continued later on in life. Healthy habits in adolescence must continue in adulthood. A majority of children and adolescents participate in physical activity, but this activity declines in adulthood. Data from several surveys on children and adolescents in the United States and Israel is presented.

Adolescent↗
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Disability and health.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Health Services↗
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Adolescents with Down syndrome.

Adolescence is a period of transition that can create stress for both adolescents and parents. Adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) go through the same stages as other adolescents, but due to lack of cognitive and behavioral factors they and their parents may find this period particularly challenging. This paper reviews several studies, especially from the United Kingdom, of groups of adolescents with Down syndrome and their controls followed from childhood, through adolescence into adulthood. There are special medical problems for this population that require annual medical examinations and surveillance, but the focus has shifted from health problems to social maturation, developing independence, and transition from school to employment or work activity. Medical transition from a pediatric to family physician provider is mentioned with recommendations as to how that transition can be made as smooth as possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adolescence, chronic illness and disability.

The prevalence of chronic illness or disability in adolescence has increased in recent years. In the past, children with certain chronic diseases did not reach adolescence, but over the last decade the survival rate has increased manyfold. The old morbidity (infectious disease, poor housing, poverty, lack of immunisation) has been exchanged with a new morbidity of adolescence, where a longer life expectancy is followed by an increase in lifelong disability. This review discusses issues concerned with the definition of disability in adolescence, reviews prevalence studies in several countries, the causes of disability, disparities, access and expenditure of health care, psychosocial aspects, and how to promote better outcomes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rett syndrome management with Snoezelen or controlled multi-sensory stimulation. A review.

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder resulting from an X-linked dominant mutation. It is characterized by a variety of physical and perceptual disabilities, resulting in a need for constant therapy programs to be administered on a regular basis throughout life. Resistance to physical activity has driven the authors in a search for new intervention techniques which might improve the ability to cope while reducing difficulty in handling an external physical facilitator. Snoezelen, or multi-sensory environment, can provide a soothing environment appealing to the child or adolescent with Rett syndrome while at the same time improving physical abilities. The article reviews Rett syndrome typical phenotype and suggests suitable activities that might take place in the multi-sensory environment.

Environment, Controlled↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Trends in autism.

Leo Kanner described autism in 1943, and Hans Asperger described the syndrome in 1944. The term Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) was first used in the 1980s to describe a class of disorders that include (1) Autistic disorder, (2) Rett disorder or syndrome, (3) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, (4) Asperger's disorder or syndrome, and (5) Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, or PDDNOS. Autism prevalence studies published before 1985 showed prevalence rates of 4 to 5 per 10,000 children for the broader autism spectrum, and about 2 per 10,000 for the classic autism definition. Since 1985 there have been higher rates of autism reported from several countries. From the UK a prevalence rate of 16.8 per 10,000 children for autistic disorder was reported, and 62.6 per 10,000 for the entire autistic spectrum disorders. Sweden reported a prevalence of 36 per 10,000 for Asperger and 35 per 10,000 for social impairment, or a total prevalence of 71 per 10,000 for suspected and possible cases. From the US, 40 per 10,000 in three to ten year old children for autistic disorder and 67 per 10,000 children for the entire autism spectrum was reported. From the north region in Israel for children born between 1989-93 in the Haifa area, an incidence rate of 10 per 10,000 was found for autism. In recent years concern has been shown about the possible increase in the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders. Studies have shown an increase, but during these last twenty years diagnostic criteria and definition have also changed. Although many factors are at play, it is evident that there has been an increase.

Autistic Disorder↗