The impact of certain exogenous factor (socio-economic, ecological) has been investigated with special attention paid to the parents' living standard, and number of family members on some anthropometric parameters like: body height, body mass, chest circumference, upper leg circumference, upper arm circumference, sitting height, arm length, leg length, pelvis width, shoulders width, lenght of head and with of head on the sample of 698 boys aged 11 to 16 (17) years in the Tuzla region (the northeastern Bosnia, Western Balkan peninsula). Anthropometric measurements have been carried out using methodology proposed by the International Biological program (IBP). The results of these investigations have shown that there is a certain impact of the socio-economic conditions on the growth and development of boys. Children from families that have better living standard are, as a rule, taller, which is indicated by the statistical significant differences (P > 0.01). This trend indicates also value of Body Mass Index (BMI), which is in younger children from the families with lower living standard 16, while in the same category in the children from the families with better living standard it has value 18.5. The real impact of living conditions on the dynamics of development could be the best seen in the period of puberty. The number of children in the family has negative relationship with anthropometric features. Statistically significant differences (P > 0.001) have been detected in numerous analysed features in families with one or two children in comparison with families with three, four, or five children. Therefore, BMI has been significantly lower (16) in children from families with several children, while in the families with one child in the same growth class (11 years) it was significantly higher (17.4). Similar value of BMI (17.9) have children from the families with five children and which are 17 years old. Besides socio-economic conditions, high level of environmental pollution which is typical for Tuzla region for a long time, has also significant impact on the growth and development of children.

CFTR protein (cystic fibrosis trans membrane conductance regulator) is expressed in multiple epithelial tissues, including upper and lower respiratory tracts, pancreas, sweat glands and gastrointestinal tract. More than 800 mutations and 100 polymorphic variants of DNA sequences were identified in patients with CF (Cystic fibrosis) and CFTR-diseases. In this study, genetic CFTR analysis of the children suffering from chronic lung disease (cystic fibrosis) is presented. They are treated and regularly controlled at the Pediatric hospital Sarajevo. CFTR analysis was done in 9 cases, 4 boys (44.4%) and 5 girls (55.55%). There are 3 children (33.3%) in the age group 1 to 3 years, 1 child (11.1%) in the age group 3 to 6 years, 3 children (33.3%) in the age group 6 to 9 years and 2 children (22.2%) in the age group 9 to 12 years. Genetic analysis was conducted at the Medical center for molecular biology, School of Medicine, Ljubljana. PCR method with PAGE and direct sequestration on ABI PRISM 31 was applied. The majority of children (7 children, i.e. 77.77%) had CFTR mutation Delta F 508 whilst one child had G542X mutation and one child R 1174 mutation. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the need for CFTR gene identification in the institutes of our country.

It is a well known fact that drug abuse is most common in early adolescence. The most popular substances among youth are cannabis products (made from Cannabis sativa L., Cannabaceae). The majority of heroin and cocaine addicts have started with marijuana. The aim of this study is to show some psycho-social characteristics of adolescents who abuse cannabis. Research conducted during the year 2001 was epidemiological and prospective. The study group included 600 adolescents of equal gender and age distribution. Q 2000 questionnaire was used, as a comprehensive tool for all aspects of adolescent life. The results show strong peer impact on one's behavior. Youth who use cannabis had 2-3 friends of the same behavior, compared to others who had none. We found positive correlation between life stressful events and cannabis abuse. We also noticed tendency to delinquent behavior related to cannabis abuse (35%).

Classical works dealing with the possibility of mother-child incompatibility with regard to basic ABO blood groups give contradictory conclusions. Bioreproductive and population-genetic indicators have been studied in a sample of live births and in two pregnancy samples with different "a priori" and "a posteriori" risk assessment. The analysis points out that ABO blood groups can influence fertility of different parental pairs, and consequently--assessment of the individual pregnancy risk.

Even though drug abuse can be found in every stage of human life its occurrence in adolescence seems to be the most important due to the serious consequences on personality development and quality of life. Youngsters like to experiment with risky life styles, without adequate knowledge about long-term health effects. Alcoholism ranks high on the list of the prevailing psychiatric disorders, followed by phobias, depressive disorders and symptoms of other psychoactive substances. As a country in transition, Bosnia &Herzegovina has all characteristics of the post-war community and post-traumatic society. Our goal was to analyse some of psychosomatic factors among adolescents who abuse alcohol. Data and Method: The research focused on 600 adolescents (400 in Sarajevo Canton and 200 in Tuzla Canton - in both their rural and urban parts). This group is of an equal gender and age distributions. The research tool used was Q 2000 test. Study design is prospective, epidemiological and analytical. Results were compared within the groups, as well as the Cantons and the groups. Out of the total number of the adolescents, 15,55% of them were found to be alcohol abusers. The results show 71, 0% of high school first-graders (age 15-17) consume alcohol; while that percentage is 29, 0 in elementary school pupils (age 12-14). A significant difference between high school students and elementary school pupils is obvious. A significant statistical gender difference between alcohol consumers and non-consumers is evident. Distribution of alcohol consumers by gender: 68,8% boys while 31, 2% girls Results shows somatic disorders exhibited by alcohol consumers: sleepiness 59,6%, body pains 34,1% and a clear difference in frequency of sleepiness between consumers and non-consumers.