Differences in finger length ratio between males with autism, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.

Children with autism have a relatively shorter index finger (2D) compared with their ring finger (4D). It is often presumed that the 2D:4D ratio is associated with fetal testosterone levels and that high fetal testosterone levels could play a role in the aetiology of autism. It is unknown whether this effect is specific to autism.

Multiple complex developmental disorder delineated from PDD-NOS.

The objective of this study was to identify behavioral differences between children with multiple complex developmental disorder (MCDD) and those with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Twenty-five children (6-12 years) with MCDD and 86 children with PDD-NOS were compared with respect to psychiatric co-morbidity, psychotic thought problems and social contact problems using the child behavior checklist/4-18, the Dutch version of the diagnostic interview schedule for children-Version IV, the child and adolescent functional assessment scale, and the autism diagnostic observation schedule-generic. MCDD was associated with anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior, and psychotic thought problems.

High rates of psychiatric co-morbidity in PDD-NOS.

Rates of co-morbid psychiatric conditions in children with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are hardly available, although these conditions are often considered as more responsive to treatment than the core symptoms of PDD-NOS. Ninety-four children with PDD-NOS, aged 6-12 years were included. The DISC-IV-P was administered.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in childhood and use of MDMA: prospective, population based study.

Objective: To investigate whether using ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) is preceded by symptoms of behavioural and emotional problems in childhood and early adolescence.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal, population based study

Setting: The Dutch province of Zuid-Holland.

Participants: A sample of 1580 individuals, followed up across a 14 year period, from childhood into adulthood.

WISC-R subtest but no overall VIQ-PIQ difference in Dutch children with PDD-NOS.

VIQ-PIQ differences have been studied in children with autism and Asperger syndrome but have not been studied in a separate group of children with PDD-NO, although, PDD-NOS has a much higher prevalence rate than autism and deficits in communication and social interaction are severe. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was administered to 100 children, aged 6-12 years, with PDD-NOS (n = 76), autism (n = 13), and Asperger syndrome (n = 11). PDD-NOS was diagnosed using explicit research criteria.

Concurrent validity of the DSM-IV scales Affective Problems and Anxiety Problems of the Youth Self-Report.

This study investigated the concurrent validity of the DSM-IV scales Anxiety Problems and Affective Problems of the Youth Self-Report (YSR) in a community sample of Dutch young adolescents aged 10-12 years. We first examined the extent to which the YSR/DSM-IV scales reflect symptoms of DSM-IV anxiety disorders and DSM-IV Major Depressive Disorder, assessed with the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS). Second, we examined whether the association between the YSR/DSM-IV scales and the RCADS scales was stronger than the association between the empirically derived YSR narrow-band scales Anxious/Depressed and Withdrawn and the same RCADS scales.

Cannabis--psychosis pathway independent of other types of psychopathology.

Aims: To investigate if associations between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms occur independently, or occur as a consequence of previous-other types of-psychopathology.

Methods: A 14-year follow-up study of 1580 initially 4- to 16-year-olds who were drawn randomly from the Dutch general population was conducted. At initial assessment, psychopathology was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist.

Latent class analysis of anxiety and depressive symptoms of the Youth Self-Report in a general population sample of young adolescents.

This study examined whether distinct groups of young adolescents with mainly anxiety or mainly depression could be identified in a general population sample. Latent class analysis was used on self-report ratings of DSM-IV symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders, because it was hypothesized that these ratings provide a bigger chance to identify distinct groups than parent ratings of symptoms that are poorly associated with DSM-IV. Results from exploratory and confirmatory latent class analysis showed that only very small numbers of young adolescents had mainly anxiety or mainly depressive symptoms.

Cannabis use predicts future psychotic symptoms, and vice versa.

Aims: To assess if cannabis use is a risk factor for future psychotic symptoms, and vice versa, in adolescents and young adults from the general population.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting/participants: 'Zuid Holland' study, a 14-year follow-up study of 1580 initially 4-16-year-olds who were drawn randomly from the Dutch general population.

Aerosol therapy and the fighting toddler: is administration during sleep an alternative?

Insufficient cooperation during administration of aerosols by pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI)/spacers is a problem in nearly 50% of treated children younger than 2 years. For these children, administration during sleep might be more efficient. However, it is unknown how much aerosol reaches the lungs during sleep.

Aerosol therapy in cystic fibrosis: a survey of 54 CF centers.

Aerosol therapy has become increasingly important in the treatment of lung disease of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Still, many questions concerning this therapy remain unanswered. It is unclear at what age aerosol therapy should be started; which aerosolized drugs are essential in the treatment of CF lung disease; which delivery system(s) should be used; and how aerosol therapy should be timed in relation to physiotherapy.