Rebecca B. Hill

Serum concentrations of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins are different between white and African American girls.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP) concentrations are different between African American and white girls. STUDY DESIGN Serum glucose and hormone concentrations were measured in blood samples collected after a 12-hour fast from 79 white and 57 African American healthy girls between 9 and 17 years of age. Tanner stages of pubic hair development were evaluated by physical examination, and body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS The African American girls were older and sexually more mature and had higher fat mass, higher serum insulin and free IGF-I concentrations, higher serum free IGF-I to total IGF-I ratio, but lower serum IGFBP-1 concentrations than the white girls. After controlling for sexual maturation and fat mass, the serum concentrations of total IGF-I, bound IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 in the white girls became significantly higher than those in the African American girls. The higher concentrations of total IGF-I in the white girls were due to a proportional increase in the concentrations of bound IGF-I that coincided with a similar increase in serum IGFBP-3 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Higher serum insulin concentrations in the African American girls are associated with lower serum IGFBP-1 concentrations and increased bioavailability of free IGF-I, which may contribute to their accelerated growth compared with their white counterparts.

Leukocyte Esterase Dipstick as a Rapid Screening Test for Vaginitis and Cervicitis

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the ability of vaginal and cervical leukocyte esterase (LE) dipstick to detect vaginitis and cervicitis. DESIGN A prospective, cross-sectional study to assess the ability of the LE dipstick of vaginal secretions to detect trichomonads, candida, and bacterial vaginosis and the LE dipstick of vaginal and cervical secretions to detect gonococcal and chlamydia infection and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). SETTING An inner-city shelter facility clinic. PARTICIPANTS 183 sexually active, nonmenstruating females aged 13-21 years (Mean = 17.7, SD = 1.98 years): 47% black, 40% white, and 11% Hispanic. OUTCOME MEASURES Sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), positive and negative predictive values (PVP, PVN), with 95% confidence intervals, of vaginal and cervical LE dipstick > or = trace in detecting vaginal and cervical infections. RESULTS A positive vaginal LE had a moderately high SN and PVN but poor SP and PVP in detecting trichomonas and candida vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. A positive vaginal and cervical LE had a high SN and PVN but poor SP and PVP in detecting gonorrhea and chlamydia infection. A positive cervical LE had a moderate SN and low SP in detecting PMNs on Gram stain. CONCLUSIONS The LE dipstick of vaginal and cervical secretions was only a moderately good screening test for vaginal infection but a good screening test for cervical infection.

Serum Leptin Concentration and its Relationship to Maturation and Body Fatness in African-American and Caucasian Girls † 608

Serum Leptin Concentration and its Relationship to Maturation and Body Fatness in African-American and Caucasian Girls † 608

VALIDITY OF SELF-ASSESSMENT OF PUBERTAL MATURATION IN A MULTIETHNIC GROUP OF FEMALE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. 17

VALIDITY OF SELF-ASSESSMENT OF PUBERTAL MATURATION IN A MULTIETHNIC GROUP OF FEMALE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. 17