This is a commentary on the article, "Childhood Leukemia Survivors and Their Return to School: A Literature Review, Case Study, and Recommendations" by D. Scott Hermann, Jill R. Thurber, Kenneth Miles, and Gloria Gilbert in this issue (2011). This article addresses issues related to the compatibility of the suggested practices with contemporary…

This commentary pertains to the article, "Childhood Leukemia Survivors and Their Return to School: A Literature Review, Case Study, and Recommendations" by D. Scott Hermann, Jill R. Thurber, Kenneth Miles, and Gloria Gilbert in this issue (2011) regarding pediatric leukemia. The authors present a literature review regarding leukemia in…

The article excerpts letters of eight parents whose children have cerebral hypotonia, an early symptom of brain damage characterized by a defective muscular condition. The problems which accompany hypotonia (such as feeding problems, retardation, respiratory distress, and seizures) are touched on. (SBH)

Disabled athletes now compete in many sports, but many physicians don't know what opportunities for sports participation are available for disabled people. Research into injuries is needed because wheelchair athletes have different needs in terms of injury management and rehabilitation. Resources for physicians are listed. (Author/MT)

The controversy over the safety of saccharin is not resolved, but the discovery of other sugar substitutes may make the problem moot. (JD)

The use of tympanostomy tubes to treat middle ear disease including otitis media is discussed with sections on the eustachian tube; acute otitis media; persistent effusion; changes in the tympanic membrane; special populations; and complications. (DB)

The article discusses the dangers to children posed by lead in the environment, and briefly reviews selected research on the subject. (Author/DLS)

Companies must realize that the number of terminally ill employees will mount in the next five years and that they will have to initiate policies anticipating the problem. Companies that react after the fact may find themselves in managerial and legal quandaries. (Author/IRT)

Several physicians discuss the tests they use to diagnose exercise-induced asthma (EIA), the medications they typically prescribe and why, and the importance of properly educating athletes about EIA. (JD)

A young woman diagnosed as having Tourette Syndrome as an adult recounts the years of misunderstanding and humiliation prior to correct diagnosis and therapy. The importance of parents sharing family medical history with children and physicians is emphasized. (DB)

Discussed are the legal, ethical, and medical issues involved in advising an athlete with only one of a paired set of organs regarding participation in contact sports. (Author/MT)

Excerpts from a paper on policies affecting chronically ill children touch upon such issues as the epidemiology of chronic childhood illness, organization of health services, costs of care, and financing of care. Principles underlying public policy are suggested, and issues for change in existing services are examined. (CL)

The mother of a child with chronic kidney disease describes how selfishness--in the form of taking care of herself--has enabled her to survive and her son to develop independence. (CL)

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, an uncommon but potentially lethal complication of antipsychotic medication, is reviewed, including analysis of 29 cases in which the condition appeared in individuals with mental retardation. Recommendations about reducing morbidity and mortality in this population are offered. (Author/DB)

Discussion of Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder with a variety of medical and developmental features, focuses on frequent outward expression of happiness. Analysis of the unique expression of happiness in individuals with Williams syndrome is followed by discussion of this happiness in the context of other dimensions of the syndrome,…