Biro, FM; Pinney, SM; Schwartz, RC; Huang, B; Cattran, AM; Haslam, SZ. Amphiregulin as a Novel Serum Marker of Puberty in Girls. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2017; 30(5):535-539.
In a sample of 188 girls, amphiregulin, a mediator of estrogen and progesterone signaling, peaked at 18 months before the onset of breast development. Levels significantly associated with maternal history of breast cancer. Elevated levels of amphiregulin at puberty may predict increased breast cancer risk.
Peterson, CM; Matthews, A; Copps-Smith, E; Conard, LA. Suicidality, Self-Harm, and Body Dissatisfaction in Transgender Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Gender Dysphoria. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. 2017; 47(4):475-482.
This study shows transgender adolescents and adults with gender dysphoria are at high risk for psychiatric comorbidities and life-threatening behaviors. There was a higher frequency of suicide attempts in TG youth desiring weight change, and more female-to-male youth reported a history of suicide attempts and self-harm behaviors than male-to-female youth.
Giambra, BK; Haas, SM; Britto, MT; Lipstein, EA. Exploration of Parent-Provider Communication During Clinic Visits for Children With Chronic Conditions. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 2018; 32(1):21-28.
This study is a secondary data analysis of 30 pediatric clinic visits involving children with chronic conditions and their parents. Researchers found that health providers dominate communication in the clinic setting, which has the potential to disempower parents and impair relationships.
Ecklund, K; Vajapeyam, S; Mulkern, RV; Feldman, HA; O'Donnell, JM; DiVasta, AD; Gordon, CM. Bone marrow fat content in 70 adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa: Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessment. Pediatric Radiology: roentgenology, nuclear medicine, ultrasonics, CT, MRI. 2017; 47(8):952-962.
This study examines bone marrow composition in 70 adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa using knee MRI measurements and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measures of bone density. There is an association between T1 MRI measures and both BMI and bone density among older girls, suggesting more marrow fat in those patients with the most severe disease. In addition, there is an association between T2 water by MRI and saturated fat that could relate to restricted mobility of water in the face of increasing marrow fat.
Mullins, TLK; Rosenthal, SL; Zimet, GD; Ding, L; Morrow, C; Huang, B; Kahn, JA. Human Papillomavirus Vaccine-Related Risk Perceptions Do Not Predict Sexual Initiation Among Young Women Over 30 Months Following Vaccination. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2018; 62(2):164-169.
Researchers examined longitudinally the relationship between human pappilomavirus (HPV) vaccine–related risk perceptions and initiation of sexual activity. HPV vaccine–related risk perception did not show any association with sexual initiation or the age of sexual initiation. This data provides additional support to dispel the myth that vaccine-related risk perceptions lead to riskier sexual behaviors.