Side effects of methylphenidate in childhood cancer survivors: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency and severity of side effects of methylphenidate among childhood survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brain tumors and identify predictors of higher adverse effect levels.

Methods: Childhood cancer survivors (N = 103) identified as having attention and learning problems completed a randomized, double-blind, 3-week, home-crossover trial of placebo, low-dose methylphenidate (0.3 mg/kg; 10 mg twice daily maximum) and moderate-dose methylphenidate (0.

Development of a directly observed therapy adherence intervention for adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus-1: application of focus group methodology to inform design, feasibility, and acceptability.

Purpose: To obtain input from adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection to inform the design of a community-based modified directly observed therapy (MDOT) antiretroviral adherence intervention.

Methods: Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group (PACTG) protocol 1036A conducted three focus groups with 17 adolescents aged 17-22 years (10 female, 65% African-American) from three geographically distinct US PACTG sites. Focus group sessions were scripted, audio-taped, and transcribed verbatim.

Predictors of non-participation in a randomized intervention trial to reduce environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in pediatric cancer patients.

Background: Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is associated with the development of serious health consequences in children with cancer due to preexisting disease and treatment-related vulnerabilities. The purpose of the current investigation was to identify predictors of non-participation in a randomized intervention trial to reduce ETS exposure among pediatric cancer patients.

Methods: One hundred fifty-three families of pediatric cancer patients met study eligibility criteria.

Growth effects of methylphenidate among childhood cancer survivors: a 12-month case-matched open-label study.

Background: To investigate the effect of stimulant medication [methylphenidate (MPH)] on growth patterns among survivors of childhood cancer (acute lymphoblastic leukemia or brain tumor).

Procedure: Using a case-matched comparison design, childhood cancer survivors participating in a 12-month open-label MPH trial (n = 51) were compared with childhood cancer survivors not taking MPH (n = 51). Measures of body mass index (BMI), height, and weight were obtained at hospital visits and corrected for gender and age using Centers for Disease Control normative data.

Parent-child agreement across child health-related quality of life instruments: a review of the literature.

Aim: To systematically review the literature published since 1999 on paediatric health-related quality of life (HRQL) in relation to parent-child agreement.

Methods: Literature searches used to identify studies which evaluated parent-child agreement for child HRQL measures.

Results: Nineteen studies were identified, including four HRQL instruments.