Pain Catastrophizing Influences Preoperative and Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Background: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) often report chronic back pain; however, there is inadequate research on psychological factors associated with pain in this patient population. Pain catastrophizing, a psychological factor that describes a pattern of negative thoughts and feelings about pain, has been associated with poorer responses to medical treatment for pain. The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence of pain catastrophizing in the AIS population and assess its relationship with preoperative and postoperative self-reported outcomes.

Antiretroviral therapy of pediatric HIV infection: making hope a reality.

Over the past 3 years, the treatment and prognosis of HIV-1 infection have been revolutionized by a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, the ability to monitor viral replication and drug resistance in the host, and the availability of potent combination chemotherapy. While most of the studies that have led to this transformation have been done in adults, the results can be applied to the care of children. Data from trials of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in children are now being presented or published.

Neurodevelopmental/neuroradiologic recovery of a child infected with HIV after treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy using the HIV-specific protease inhibitor ritonavir.

Background: Neurodevelopmental impairment has been identified in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The frequency and spectrum of neurologic impairment are greater in children than those reported for adults. In children, HIV is known to enter the central nervous system early in the course of the disease.