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Growth factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism. We have investigated daily urinary excretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), epidermal growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in autistic children (n=34, age 2-5 years) and age-matched control children (n=29). The mean urinary IGF-1 level was lower in the autism group than the control group (p=0.03). Height was normal. These findings suggest altered IGF-1 metabolism in young autistic children. The cause-effect relationship should be examined by longitudinal studies and insulin-like growth factor provocation tests.

The purpose of this article is to examine the attachment styles and the relation of these styles to the self-image in Turkish adolescents. The study included 378 adolescents (196 females and 182 males) from high schools with different socioeconomic status (SES) who were administered Relationship Scale Questionnaires and Offer Self-Image Questionnaires. The findings indicate that adolescents from a low SES had significantly low scores on self-image scales compared with those from high and middle SES. It was found that secure attachment patterns affect social relationships and superior adjustment aspects of self-image positively. The results of this study show that attachment patterns play an important role in the development of the self-image, which is a crucial psychological structure gained in adolescence.

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder of puberty or adolescence. It is characterized by self-induced weight loss; various psychological disturbances including distorted body image, fear of obesity, active pursuit of thinness and loss of recognition of a number of body enteroreceptive sensations; and secondary physiological abnormalities. The treatment of AN includes individual psychotherapy, family therapy, and nutritional rehabilitation. Hospital treatment is required when the patient's medical condition is in danger due to hypovolemia or hypotension. If cardiac arrhythmias occur without electrolyte disturbances or if oral therapy fails, nutrition should be repleted by the safest method available. This can be done by nasogastric tube or intravenous hyperalimentation. The management of AN is challenging, because the treatment process and anticipated outcome is in direct conflict with the sufferer's own wishes. A comprehensive treatment plan including both psychiatric and medical approaches is necessary. We report a severe AN case, who has refeeding problems after a three months' hospitalisation period. She was admitted to the child intensive care unit due to deterioration of her vital signs. We tried to solve her problems as a team, and believe that AN has a number of crucial problems thus requiring a multi-faceted treatment approach.