HEALTH IN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Background: In the past decade, significant increase of pediatric morbidity was detected. Frequency of varied functional disorders tends to increase during school years. One in three school leavers has myopia and impaired posture; one in four has cardiovascular disorder. Materials and methods: We examined adolescents at the age of 14, in 5 schools inTyumen city in the period October – November 2012. Patients were examined by multidisciplinary team (ophthalmologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, dentist, pediatrician), functional methods were also used. Results: Of 184 adolescents enrolled, 83 were boys. General examination demonstrated no changes. Functional methods showed sex-associated distribution of refraction disorders: mild and moderate myopia predominated among girls, frequency of spasm of accomodation was significantly higher in boys. Children were divided into two groups: the first group included adolescents without vision disorders (n = 115), the second group involved those who had verified spasm of accomodation or myopia (n = 66). Abnormal abdominal ultrasound data (minor dysembryogenesis anomalies – folded gallbladder) were found in 22.6% of patients in the group 1 and in 50% of patients in the group 2. Endocrine disorders were also more prevalent in the group 2 (40.9% vs. 32% in the group 1). They included underweight (24.3% vs. 20% in the groups 2 and 1, respectively), overweight (in 13.6% vs. 7.6%, respectively). Overweight and underweight predominated in adolescents with myopia. Conclusion: Myopia develops earlier in girls, boys are in the risk group of myopia development. There have to be the constant control for somatic health of adolescents regardless of refraction.

Keywords

• adolescents
• functional disorders
• refraction
• myopia
• endocrine disorders
• dysembryogenesis