109 research outputs found
An Unusual Pneumoperitoneum in an Extremely Low Birth Weight Preterm Newborn
No full textPneumoperitoneum (PP) is a radiological diagnosis, characterized by the presence of air under the diaphragm, that in 90% of cases results from a perforated viscus while in 10% of cases it is not associated to perforation, the so-called non-surgical or spontaneous PP. Spontaneous PP is rare at any paediatric and neonatal age. In the neonatal population, sporadic cases of spontaneous PP have been described, almost invariably following mechanical ventilation. We presented the case of an extremely low birth weight infant (ELBW) with spontaneous PP secondary to pneumomediastinum who has never underwent mechanical ventilation or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (www.actabiomedica.it)
Validation of an hourly transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram in a population of term or late preterm newborn infants: preliminary results
No full textOBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to asses the validity of the TCB nomogram
for the European population for predicting significant hyperbilirubinemia in
healthy term and late-preterm newborns.
METHODS: This observational study was conducted from February 2009 to December
2009 in the well-baby nurseries of Gemelli hospital of Rome. The predictive
ability of the skin bilirubin (TCB) nomogram was prospectively assessed in 926
neonates with gestational age 35 weeks. TCB was measured with Bilichek and total
serum bilirubin (TSB) was contemporary assayed by the standard spectrophotometric
method. Every neonate was assess for a single TCB and TSB value.
RESULTS: The mean TSB values was 8.2 +/- 3.2 mg/dl, while the mean TCB values was
9.5 +/- 3.6 mg/dl A sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%
were obtained with a single bilirubin determination applying the 75 degrees
percentile of our nomogram.
CONCLUSION: The 75 degrees percentile of the skin bilirubin nomogram for the
European population in the first 96 hours of life is able to predict all neonates
at risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia. It could facilitate a safe discharge from
the hospital and a targeted intervention and follow-up reducing the need for
blood samples
Influenza A (H1N1)-induced ischemic stroke in a child: case report and review of the literature
No full textIschemic stroke is an important cause of death and long term morbidity in children. Viral respiratory infections are emerging
as important risk factors responsible for ischemic stroke in this age group. The direct action of virus against cerebral vessels,
autoimmune reactivity, and increased production of cytokines are advocated as the main factors for causing ischemic stroke.
This study can be useful for clarifying some molecular aspects of H1N1 virus infection in children.
We report on the case of a H1N1-induced ischemic stroke in a Caucasian 2 year-old female. The cerebrospinal fluid samples
showed the positivity of polymerase chain reaction for influenza A (H1N1) infection, confirmed also by pharyngeal swab
culture. Increased levels of cerebrospinal fluid interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β were also detected.
H1N1 virus infection has been identified as an important cause of neurological involvement in children. The findings of
increased levels of Interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β in the cerebrospinal fluid of this child with H1N1 induced-ischemic stroke
seems to validate the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines as crucial mediators of cerebral thrombus formation
Feasibility of transferring intensive cared preterm infants from incubator to open crib at 1600 grams
No full textBackground: Ability to maintain a normal body temperature in an open crib is an important physiologic competency generally requested to discharge preterm infants from the hospital. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of an early weaning protocol from incubator in preterm newborns in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Methods. 101 infants with birth weight < 1600 g were included in this feasibility study. We compared 80 newborns successfully transferred from an incubator to open crib at 1600 g with 21 infants transferred at weight ≥ 1700 g. The primary outcome was to evaluate feasibility of the protocol and the reasons for the eventual delay. Secondary outcomes were the identification of factors that would increase the likelihood of early weaning, the impact of an earlier weaning on discharge timing, and the incidence of adverse outcomes. Newborns in the study period were then compared with an historical control group with similar characteristics. Results: Early weaning was achieved in 79.2% of infants without significant adverse effects on temperature stability or weight gain. Delayed weaning was mainly due to the need of respiratory support. Gestational age affected the likelihood of early weaning (OR 1.7282 95% CI: 1.3071 - 2.2850). In the multivariate linear regression, early weaning reduced length of stay (LOS) by 25.8 days (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Preterm infants can be weaned successfully from an incubator to an open crib at weight as low as 1600 grams without significant adverse effect. Early weaning significantly reduces LOS in preterm newborns. © 2014 Barone et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd
Early weaning from incubator and early discharge of preterm infants: randomized clinical trial.
No full textOBJECTIVE: The goal was to assess the feasibility of earlier weaning from the
incubator for preterm infants.
METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized study with preterm infants with birth
weights of <1600 g who were admitted to a neonatal subintensive ward. Findings
for 47 infants who were transferred from an incubator to an open crib at >1600 g
(early transition group) were compared with those for 47 infants who were
transferred from an incubator to an open crib at >1800 g (standard transition
[ST] group). The primary outcome of the study was length of stay. Secondary
outcomes were the number of infants returned to an incubator, the growth velocity
in an open crib and during the first week at home, the proportions of
breastfeeding at discharge and during the first week at home, and the hospital
readmission rate.
RESULTS: The length of stay was significantly shorter in the early transition
group than in the standard transition group (23.5 vs 33 days; P=.0002). No
infants required transfer back to the incubator. Only 1 infant in the standard
transition group was readmitted to the hospital during the first week after
discharge. Growth velocities and individual amounts of breastfeeding were similar
between the 2 groups.
CONCLUSION: In this study, weaning of moderately preterm infants from incubators
to open cribs at 1600 g was safe and resulted in earlier discharge
Differences in Perceived and Experienced Stigma Between Problematic Gamblers and Non-gamblers in a General Population Survey
No full textWe consider a sample of about 700 people, interviewed on the streets, who are sorted into two groups by a self-report, screening questionnaire: namely, non-problematic gamblers/non-gamblers and problematic gamblers. Within each group, we compare both social (perceived) stigma and self-perceived (experienced) stigma, measured by means of other two self-report questionnaires, and we seek for relations between stigma and socio-demographic variables that can help targeting possible interventions to reduce gambling-related stigma. We, then, compare stigma between the two groups of non-(problematic) gamblers and problematic ones, and we also check the hypothesis that higher social stigma is related to higher self-perceived stigma, as well as higher stigma is related to lesser help-seeking. The latter hypothesis is of utmost importance, given that stigma is recognised to be one of the major causes for hindering help-seeking by problematic gamblers. The research is carried out in Italy, one of the first countries in the world for the money spent per capita in gambling activity every year
BU.01 Tra il monte Grifone e il fiume Oreto.
No full textIl progetto di corridoio ecologico nei quartieri Bonagia e Borgo Ulivia-Falsomiele interviene sui vutoi presenti nell'area trasformandoli da luoghi del degrado a risorsa per la città circostante
Status assessment of the Critically Endangered Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina
No full text'This work was part of the Azores Bullfinch monitoring programme included in the project LIFE NAT/P/000013 “Recovery of Azores Bullfinch’s habitat in the Special Protection Area of Pico da Vara / Ribeira do Guilherme”'The Azores Bullfinch is endemic to the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). Its status was uplisted to Critically Endangered in 2005 on the basis of an extremely small and declining population that was considered to be restricted to a very small mountain range (43 km2), in a single location, within which the spread of invasive plants constituted a threat to habitat quality. Nevertheless, information was mostly inferred, or the product of, non-systematic studies. In order to carry out a complete assessment of the conservation status we analysed: (i) population trend, calculated from annual monitoring 1991–2008, (ii) population size, and (iii) range size, obtaining estimates in a single morning study in 2008 involving the simultaneous participation of 48 observers. Contrary to previous inferences, the population is no longer decreasing, although quality of laurel forest habitat continues to decline due to the persistent threat of invasive species. Population size (mean ± SE) was estimated at 1,064 ± 304 individuals using distance sampling methods, although the estimate was very sensitive to the survey method used. Range size estimates (extent of occurrence and area of occupancy) were 144 km2 and 83 km2 respectively. Given the present information, we propose the downlisting of Azores Bullfinch to Endangered on the IUCN Red List.Peer reviewe
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