M ycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for about 20% of community-acquired pneumonias. Clinical pi... more M ycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for about 20% of community-acquired pneumonias. Clinical picture onset is gradual; particularly, systemic complaints such as headache, arthalgia, and fever (usually low-grade temperature) represent the most prominent findings, and extrapulmonary complications are common (Table 1) [1, 2]. n CASE REPORT A 7-year-old male child was admitted to the Department of Pediatrics due to cough and fever (up to 40°C). No pathologic findings were observed at standard chest X-ray and clinical examination , white blood cell (WBC) reduction (2,14 x10 3 /µl), neutropenia (neutrophils 0,66 x10 3 /ul) and normal ESR (erythrocytes sedi-mentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) were documented. On day 2 (second day of hospitalization), he developed myalgia, hyposthe-nia, and inability to walk, and could keep the standing position no longer than a few seconds. CPK (creatinphosphokinase) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) were increased (5145 U/L and 993 U/L, respectiv...
Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2018
Background: Recent findings have supposed that the underlying association between the increased p... more Background: Recent findings have supposed that the underlying association between the increased prevalence of both asthma and obesity may be insulin resistance (IR). Methods: Insulin and glucose serum levels were analyzed to calculate the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for IR in 98 pre-pubertal children. Lung function and allergy status evaluation were performed. The study population was divided into four groups: (1) obese asthmatic children (ObA); (2) normal-weight asthmatic children (NwA); (3) normal-weight non-asthmatic children (Nw) and (4) obese non-asthmatic children (Ob). Results: Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was slightly lower in obese subjects compared with normal-weight subjects and forced vital capacity (FVC) appeared lower in asthmatics, whereas between non-asthmatics subjects, it was lower in the obese group than in the normal-weight one. The post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in FEV1, peak expiratory...
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2013
We describe the case of a child affected by milk-protein induced enterocolitis, in which oral cha... more We describe the case of a child affected by milk-protein induced enterocolitis, in which oral challenge with corn was performed without symptoms after a negative specific Atopy Patch Test. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is an uncommon non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity of infancy, characterized by severe vomiting and diarrhea arising within 1 to 3 hours after ingestion of the causative food. Little is known about the pathophysiology of FPIES. The absence of food-specific IgE as demonstrated by negative skin prick tests suggests that the disease is not caused by an early onset IgE-mediated reaction. Atopy Patch Test has been described as sensitive and predictive in this syndrome. The hypothesis on the immunological pathogenesis has been discussed on the basis of literature data.
Le infezioni in medicina : rivista periodica di eziologia, epidemiologia, diagnostica, clinica e terapia delle patologie infettive, 2014
We report the history of a seven year-old male boy with cough and fever, who developed rhabdomyol... more We report the history of a seven year-old male boy with cough and fever, who developed rhabdomyolysis concomitant with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The association between this organism and the muscular injury is rarely described in paediatric patients. This case then thus emphasizes that even seemingly mild M. pneumoniae airway infections may be complicated by invalidating neuromuscular sequelae.
The aim of this study was to verify FeNO usefulness, as a marker of bronchial inflammation, in th... more The aim of this study was to verify FeNO usefulness, as a marker of bronchial inflammation, in the assessment of therapeutic management of childhood asthma. We performed a prospective 1-year randomized clinical trial evaluating two groups of 32 children with allergic asthma: “GINA group”, in which therapy was assessed only by GINA guidelines and “FeNO group”, who followed a therapeutic program assessed also on FeNO measurements. Asthma Severity score (ASs), Asthma Exacerbation Frequency (AEf), and Asthma Therapy score (ATs) were evaluated at the start of the study (T1), 6 months (T2), and 1 year after (T3). ASs and AEf significantly decreased only in the FeNO group at times T2 and T3 (p[T1-T2] = 0.0001, and p[T1-T3] = 0.01; p[T1-T2] = 0.0001; and p[T1-T3] < 0.0001, resp.). After six months of follow-up, we found a significant increase of patients under inhaled corticosteroid and/or antileukotrienes in the GINA group compared to the FeNO group (). Our data show that FeNO measureme...
Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2012
Poor linear growth and inadequate weight gain are very common problems in cystic fibrosis (CF) ch... more Poor linear growth and inadequate weight gain are very common problems in cystic fibrosis (CF) children. The most important factors involved in growth failure are undernutrition or malnutrition, chronic inflammation, lung disease, and corticosteroid treatment. Nutritional support and pharmacological therapy with recombinant human growth hormone are essential for a good management of children with CF, although these children are shorter and lighter than healthy children, and despite the catch-up growth observed after diagnosis, deficit in length/height and weight continues to be seen until adulthood. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure better nutritional status and growth, potentially associated with better respiratory function and prognosis. The aims of this review are try to explain etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms of growth failure in CF children and clarify their role in the disease morbidity and in clinical outcome, especially in relation to progressive decline of pulmonary function.
Evaluate the relationship between Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) and exercise-induced bronchospasm (E... more Evaluate the relationship between Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in 81 asthmatic children. EIB was assessed in every patient by Balke protocol and asthma control was evaluated by ACT. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A (30 patients) with complete asthma control (ACT score = 25), Group B (37 patients) with partial asthma control (ACT score = 21-24), and Group C (14 patients) with poor asthma control (ACT score &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 20). About 36% (11/30) of patients in Group A (with complete asthma control) tested positive for EIB, whereas 21% (8/37) in Group B (with partial asthma control) and 28% (4/14) in Group C (with poor asthma control) exhibited EIB. The percentage of positive EIB was very similar between the three groups with no differences between controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled asthma. Statistical evaluation by χ(2)-test between complete (ACT score = 25) and not complete asthma control (ACT score &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 24) confirmed a statistically significant difference (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .01) between the obtained data. It must be stated that ACT alone is not sufficient to evaluate asthma control in children correctly because it fails to detect EIB in a significant percentage of subjects.
M ycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for about 20% of community-acquired pneumonias. Clinical pi... more M ycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for about 20% of community-acquired pneumonias. Clinical picture onset is gradual; particularly, systemic complaints such as headache, arthalgia, and fever (usually low-grade temperature) represent the most prominent findings, and extrapulmonary complications are common (Table 1) [1, 2]. n CASE REPORT A 7-year-old male child was admitted to the Department of Pediatrics due to cough and fever (up to 40°C). No pathologic findings were observed at standard chest X-ray and clinical examination , white blood cell (WBC) reduction (2,14 x10 3 /µl), neutropenia (neutrophils 0,66 x10 3 /ul) and normal ESR (erythrocytes sedi-mentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) were documented. On day 2 (second day of hospitalization), he developed myalgia, hyposthe-nia, and inability to walk, and could keep the standing position no longer than a few seconds. CPK (creatinphosphokinase) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) were increased (5145 U/L and 993 U/L, respectiv...
Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2018
Background: Recent findings have supposed that the underlying association between the increased p... more Background: Recent findings have supposed that the underlying association between the increased prevalence of both asthma and obesity may be insulin resistance (IR). Methods: Insulin and glucose serum levels were analyzed to calculate the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for IR in 98 pre-pubertal children. Lung function and allergy status evaluation were performed. The study population was divided into four groups: (1) obese asthmatic children (ObA); (2) normal-weight asthmatic children (NwA); (3) normal-weight non-asthmatic children (Nw) and (4) obese non-asthmatic children (Ob). Results: Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was slightly lower in obese subjects compared with normal-weight subjects and forced vital capacity (FVC) appeared lower in asthmatics, whereas between non-asthmatics subjects, it was lower in the obese group than in the normal-weight one. The post hoc analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in FEV1, peak expiratory...
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2013
We describe the case of a child affected by milk-protein induced enterocolitis, in which oral cha... more We describe the case of a child affected by milk-protein induced enterocolitis, in which oral challenge with corn was performed without symptoms after a negative specific Atopy Patch Test. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is an uncommon non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity of infancy, characterized by severe vomiting and diarrhea arising within 1 to 3 hours after ingestion of the causative food. Little is known about the pathophysiology of FPIES. The absence of food-specific IgE as demonstrated by negative skin prick tests suggests that the disease is not caused by an early onset IgE-mediated reaction. Atopy Patch Test has been described as sensitive and predictive in this syndrome. The hypothesis on the immunological pathogenesis has been discussed on the basis of literature data.
Le infezioni in medicina : rivista periodica di eziologia, epidemiologia, diagnostica, clinica e terapia delle patologie infettive, 2014
We report the history of a seven year-old male boy with cough and fever, who developed rhabdomyol... more We report the history of a seven year-old male boy with cough and fever, who developed rhabdomyolysis concomitant with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The association between this organism and the muscular injury is rarely described in paediatric patients. This case then thus emphasizes that even seemingly mild M. pneumoniae airway infections may be complicated by invalidating neuromuscular sequelae.
The aim of this study was to verify FeNO usefulness, as a marker of bronchial inflammation, in th... more The aim of this study was to verify FeNO usefulness, as a marker of bronchial inflammation, in the assessment of therapeutic management of childhood asthma. We performed a prospective 1-year randomized clinical trial evaluating two groups of 32 children with allergic asthma: “GINA group”, in which therapy was assessed only by GINA guidelines and “FeNO group”, who followed a therapeutic program assessed also on FeNO measurements. Asthma Severity score (ASs), Asthma Exacerbation Frequency (AEf), and Asthma Therapy score (ATs) were evaluated at the start of the study (T1), 6 months (T2), and 1 year after (T3). ASs and AEf significantly decreased only in the FeNO group at times T2 and T3 (p[T1-T2] = 0.0001, and p[T1-T3] = 0.01; p[T1-T2] = 0.0001; and p[T1-T3] < 0.0001, resp.). After six months of follow-up, we found a significant increase of patients under inhaled corticosteroid and/or antileukotrienes in the GINA group compared to the FeNO group (). Our data show that FeNO measureme...
Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2012
Poor linear growth and inadequate weight gain are very common problems in cystic fibrosis (CF) ch... more Poor linear growth and inadequate weight gain are very common problems in cystic fibrosis (CF) children. The most important factors involved in growth failure are undernutrition or malnutrition, chronic inflammation, lung disease, and corticosteroid treatment. Nutritional support and pharmacological therapy with recombinant human growth hormone are essential for a good management of children with CF, although these children are shorter and lighter than healthy children, and despite the catch-up growth observed after diagnosis, deficit in length/height and weight continues to be seen until adulthood. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure better nutritional status and growth, potentially associated with better respiratory function and prognosis. The aims of this review are try to explain etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms of growth failure in CF children and clarify their role in the disease morbidity and in clinical outcome, especially in relation to progressive decline of pulmonary function.
Evaluate the relationship between Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) and exercise-induced bronchospasm (E... more Evaluate the relationship between Asthma Control Test™ (ACT) and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) in 81 asthmatic children. EIB was assessed in every patient by Balke protocol and asthma control was evaluated by ACT. Patients were divided into three groups: Group A (30 patients) with complete asthma control (ACT score = 25), Group B (37 patients) with partial asthma control (ACT score = 21-24), and Group C (14 patients) with poor asthma control (ACT score &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 20). About 36% (11/30) of patients in Group A (with complete asthma control) tested positive for EIB, whereas 21% (8/37) in Group B (with partial asthma control) and 28% (4/14) in Group C (with poor asthma control) exhibited EIB. The percentage of positive EIB was very similar between the three groups with no differences between controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled asthma. Statistical evaluation by χ(2)-test between complete (ACT score = 25) and not complete asthma control (ACT score &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 24) confirmed a statistically significant difference (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .01) between the obtained data. It must be stated that ACT alone is not sufficient to evaluate asthma control in children correctly because it fails to detect EIB in a significant percentage of subjects.
Uploads