The uniqueness of the young athlete: medical considerations.

The common acute and chronic illnesses that may influence a youths' participation in sports are discussed. Conditions discussed include fever, upper and lower respiratory infection, infectious mononucleosis, and dermatoses (viral, fungal, bacterial and parasitic, and traumatic). The chronic diseases presented include asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems, especially congenital and rheumatic lesions as well as arrhythmias and hypertension. The cardiovascular evaluation of the young athlete is detailed because, along with the orthopaedic examination, it probably is the area to yield the most abnormal or questionable findings.