Reliability and validity of a modified Bristol Stool Form Scale for children.

Objectives: This study sought to: evaluate the ability of children to reliably use a modified Bristol Stool Form Scale for Children (mBSFS-C), evaluate criterion-related validity of the mBSFS-C, and identify the lower age limit for mBSFS-C use.

Study Design: The mBSFS-C comprises 5 stool form types described and depicted in drawings. Children 3 to 18 years old rated stool form for 10 stool photographs.

Creation and initial evaluation of a Stool Form Scale for children.

Objective: To develop a pediatric stool form rating scale and determine its interrater reliability, intrarater reliability, and agreement among pediatric gastroenterologists.

Study Design: An ordinal stool scale with 5 categorical stool form types was created on the basis of the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and 32 color 2-dimensional stool photographs were shown to 14 pediatric gastroenterologists. Each gastroenterologist rated the stool form depicted in each photograph with the modified stool scale.

Psychosocial functioning and quality of life in children and families affected by AEC syndrome.

Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome, also known as Hay-Wells syndrome, is a rare genetic condition that results in abnormalities of the skin, hair, nails, and teeth and requires frequent self-management and medical care. We sought to describe the psychological adjustment and quality of life in children and adolescents with AEC syndrome, as well as the impact of the child's illness on their families. The sample included 18 children and adolescents with AEC syndrome and their parents who attended the International Research Symposium on AEC syndrome.

Pain symptoms and stooling patterns do not drive diagnostic costs for children with functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in primary or tertiary care.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to (1) compare the cost of medical evaluation for children with functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome brought to a pediatric gastroenterologist versus children who remained in the care of their pediatrician, (2) compare symptom characteristics for the children in primary versus tertiary care, and (3) examine if symptom characteristics predicted the cost of medical evaluation.

Methods: Eighty-nine children aged 7 to 10 years with functional abdominal pain or irritable bowel syndrome seen by a gastroenterologist (n = 46) or seen only by a pediatrician (n = 43) completed daily pain and stool diaries for 2 weeks. Mothers provided retrospective reports of their children's symptoms in the previous year.

Health-related quality of life in pediatric patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a comparative analysis.

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of pediatric patients meeting Rome II criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in comparison to healthy children. The secondary aim was to compare pediatric patients with IBS to pediatric patients with Rome II criteria diagnosed functional abdominal pain (FAP) and patients with diagnosed organic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The study also investigated the associations between GI symptoms with generic HRQOL and evaluated group differences in school days missed and days sick in bed and needing care.

Health-related quality of life measurement in pediatric clinical practice: an appraisal and precept for future research and application.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurement has emerged as an important health outcome in clinical trials, clinical practice improvement strategies, and healthcare services research and evaluation. HRQOL measures are also increasingly proposed for use in clinical practice settings to inform treatment decisions. In settings where HRQOL measures have been utilized with adults, physicians report such measures as useful, some physicians alter their treatment based on patient reports on such instruments, and patients themselves generally feel the instruments to be helpful.

Advancing the science of perceptual accuracy in pediatric asthma and diabetes.

Objectives: To review research on perceptual accuracy in pediatric asthma and diabetes and to provide recommendations for future research efforts and clinical applications of the construct in these populations.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using Medline and PsychInfo databases as well as the bibliographies of relevant articles.

Results: Children and adolescents with asthma or diabetes evidence considerable variability in perceptual accuracy and frequently make clinically relevant errors that have the potential to affect self-management behavior.