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Biomedical subjects

A Verrotti

Publications and source records attributed to A Verrotti.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Ring chromosome 11. A case report and review of the literature.

A female infant with severe growth-weight retardation and with a ring chromosome 11, associated with trisomy X in 15% of metaphases, has been reported. A literature review of cases of r(11) shows that the clinical features of these patients, although showing different frequencies, are similar to those of the del(11q) syndrome. It has been suggested that the variability of the mental retardation in r(11) patients is attributable to the unstability of the ring and to the different break points in these two chromosomal rearrangements. The origin of the r(11) was also addressed by studying fragile sites of the parents at 11p15 and 11q25.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Calcium homeostasis in prepubertal diabetic children.

Many authors have described abnormalities of calcium homeostasis in type I diabetes mellitus, but data in the literature are conflicting. Consequently we studied calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (in serum and urine), parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels in 21 prepubertal diabetic patients and in 21 sex- and age-matched controls. We did not find any significant difference of all the aforementioned parameters between diabetics and controls. Also the value of 25-OHD was similar in diabetic and healthy subjects (24.33 +/- 6.04 vs 22.09 +/- 5.01 ng/ml). The results suggest that the principal parameters of calcium metabolism are normal in prepubertal diabetic children.

Calcitonin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum lipids, microalbuminuria and metabolic control in diabetic children.

In order to analyse the role of long-term metabolic control on serum lipids of diabetic children, the authors studied 61 diabetics for a period of time of 18 months. The age of the patients ranged from 7.2 to 19.5 years; the patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of albumin excretion rate more than 15 micrograms/min: group A 46 children with albumin excretion rate less than 15 micrograms/min; group B 15 children with albumin excretion rate more than 15 micrograms/min. During the study, all the patients improved the quality of metabolic control but only in the diabetics of group A serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels fell significantly. The patients of group B did not modify their serum lipids concentrations in spite of the improvement of metabolic control. This study suggests that in the diabetic children with microalbuminuria it is difficult to normalize the lipid abnormalities by means of optimized insulin conventional therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pulmonary function in diabetic children with and without persistent microalbuminuria.

The principal spirometric and plethysmographic parameters were measured in 68 (38 female) diabetic children and adolescents, aged from 6.01 to 22.00 years; their duration of disease ranged from 1 to 247 months. Thirty-four patients had persistent microalbuminuria. The patients were studied basally and after the Bruce test. All the spirometric parameters were normal in all children, with and without microalbuminuria. The presence of microalbuminuria seems not to be a risk factor for the developing of abnormal pulmonary function.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma renin and aldosterone in youngsters with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

We studied plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone in three groups of subjects. Group 1 consisted of seven Type I diabetics with microalbuminuria (greater than 25 micrograms/min), age 12.0-19.5 yr (mean +/- SD: 15.4 +/- 2.2), duration of disease 6.5-10.1 yr (7.9 +/- 1.9), HbA1c 9.6-16.0% (12.6 +/- 2.9). Group 2 consisted of seven sex and age-matched diabetics, duration of disease 3.7-9.0 yr (6.0 +/- 2.3), HbA1c less than 8%, microalbuminuria less than 10 micrograms/min, and microangiopathy-free. Group 3 consisted of seven healthy subjects. After overnight recumbency the PRA in group 1 patients was significantly higher than that for group 2 (3.926 +/- 4.54 ng/ml/h vs. 1.416 +/- 0.44; p less than 0.05) or for group 3 (3.926 +/- 4.54 vs. 1.11 +/- 0.82; p less than 0.007). After physical exercise the group 1 PRA value (10.199 +/- 9.62) was higher than in either group 2 (2.821 +/- 1.77; p less than 0.005) or group 3 (1.61 +/- 0.803; p less than 0.0006). Poor metabolic control and the presence of microalbuminuria can play a role in perturbations of the Renin-Angiotensin system. The presence of microalbuminuria can be an important indicator of mildly impaired renal function and may influence PRA production.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age of onset of pubertal characteristics in boys aged 6-14 years of the Province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo, Italy).

BACKGROUND: Previous results on growth patterns of children from central-southern Italy (Abruzzo region) showed an increasing tendency to obesity and suggested that the secular trend was still in progress in this region. However, data on pubertal development was lacking. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to provide population data on pubertal development in a sample of 535 boys aged 6-14 years as a contribution to the ongoing debate on earlier onset of pubertal traits and on the slowing down of the secular trend. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used. Data for genital and pubic hair development (GD and PHD) were analysed by probit analysis. RESULTS: The boys start developing sexual characteristics at age 9: 13.3% had entered stage 2 of GD and 8.9% showed PHD. At 13 years of age, 5% and 7.4% were still in stage 1 of GD and PHD, respectively, whereas almost one-third had attained stage 5 for both sexual characteristics. The median age for attainment of stage 2 was 11.2 years for GD, 11.5 years for PHD and 11 years for one or both of them. CONCLUSIONS: These results are in line with those for several European and industrialized countries and do not show a significantly earlier onset of sexual maturation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Carbamazepine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome in a child with epilepsy.

Carbamazepine is an effective anticonvulsant and is considered the drug of first choice for the treatment of partial and secondarily generalized seizures. Although carbamazepine is well tolerated, many side effects have been reported in the literature. The majority of these adverse effects are transient and do not lead to the discontinuation of the therapy. We present a case of a female child, aged 11 years and 6 months, who showed an anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome induced by carbamazepine. This syndrome is a rare, potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction. The patient developed a cutaneous nonpruritic rash, associated with high fever, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and arthralgias on the knees and the ankles with local signs of arthritis. Laboratory examination showed a lymphocytosis, mild thrombocytopenia, marked eosinophilia, and high transaminases. Corticosteroid therapy (betametasone 0,5 mg x 3 day) was started and carbamazepine was gradually withdrawn changing to valproic acid, with complete control of the seizures. The fever and the rash reduced gradually, beginning from the face and then disappearing completely after 10 days. Laboratory results showed a clear improvement: after 7 days the patient showed a complete normalization of the above parameters, except for transaminases. The complete normalization of these enzymes was observed after 2 weeks from the disappearance of the skin rash.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Skin reactions due to anti-epileptic drugs: several case-reports with long-term follow-up.

In this study, the clinical findings and management of allergic skin reactions induced by the most used antiepileptic drugs, Lamotrigine (LMT) and Carbamazepine (CBZ), were evaluated. Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug recently released in several countries; it is effective for a variety of seizure types in adults and children, both as an add-on agent and in monotherapy, and it is generally well tolerated. Clinical and epidemiologic evidence suggest serious cutaneous reactions to antiepileptic drugs are more likely to occur during the first 8 weeks and they appear to increase when drugs are administered with other anticonvulsants, such as Valproate (VPA). We selected 10 patients who presented an idiosyncratic skin rash when treated with carbamazepine (8 patients) and lamotrigine (2 patients) administered as monotherapy, and we followed up on these patients for several years. Seven reactions were mild/severe cutaneous eruptions; one Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, a case of Stevens-Johnson and a case of Hypersensitivity Syndrome. All severe skin drug reactions were induced by Carbamazepine. In five patients the AEDs were ceased abruptly (sometimes with the administration of a different molecule), tapered in four and continued unchanged in one. We conclude that the discontinuation of the drug with substitution with another is the most effective treatment and that corticosteroids are helpful in mild cutaneous reactions, while in severe skin reactions, such as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, corticosteroids are only a complementary therapy since intravenous immunoglobulins are the first choice treatment.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Regional variability in the epidemiology of childhood diabetes in Italy.

The incidence rates of IDDM in Italy show remarkable variability. Sardinia, a region with the second highest incidence rate in the world, co-exists with other regions with lower rates. We review and compare epidemiologic data on the incidence of childhood-onset IDDM in Italy. papers published from 1980 to 1996 reporting incidence data in Italian areas were found by search of Medline and non-indexed Italian journals. The incidence data found cover only 57% of the Italian population. The analysis of our results shows how difficult it is to make a careful study of epidemiology of IDDM in Italy. The RIDI (the Registry for Insulin-dependent Diabetes mellitus in Italy) project started in 1996 according to international guidelines. The aims is to coordinate local IDDM registries, to promote the start of new registries in uncovered areas, and to standardize registration and data collection.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (0-14 years) in the Abruzzo Region, Italy, 1990-1995: results from a population-based register.

OBJECTIVE: To provide incidence data of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the Abruzzo Region, Italy in 0-14 year-old children and contribute to a better understanding of IDDM geographical variability throughout Italy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All incident cases younger than 15 years first diagnosed with IDDM according to the WHO criteria between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1995 and resident in the Abruzzo Region were recorded. The primary sources were divisions of pediatrics, endocrinology or medicine, diabetic centers for adult patients and the Regional Pediatric Diabetology Centre. Secondary independent sources included registered prescriptions for insulin in local district units of the National Health System and the regional IDDM association for children. RESULTS: During the six years, 117 new cases of IDDM in the age-group 0-14 were identified, with an overall standardized incidence rate of 9.34/100,000/year (95% C.I. 7.76-10.95). The crude incidence rate was highest in the 10-14 year age-group (10.64, 95% C.I. 7.66-13.62). Teramo province showed the highest standardized incidence rate, 10.30/100,000/year (95% C.I. 6.58-14.02); it is noteworthy that the IDDM rate in Teramo (15.40/100,000/year) was the highest in peninsular Italy in 1994. Abruzzo Region shows significantly higher rates than other central Italian regions. No significant difference in rates between males and females was observed. Seasonality was not observed from incidence data. CONCLUSIONS: We report the highest incidence rate for IDDM in children in the Italian mainland in the years 1990-95. Our findings confirm the need for epidemiological research to provide more information about the distribution of genetic markers and the etiologic role of environmental factors in Italian regions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bone metabolism in children with congenital hypothyroidism--a longitudinal study.

In order to evaluate the effect of thyroid replacement therapy on bone metabolism in congenital hypothyroid children, we studied 23 (10 girls and 13 boys) consecutive patients. Their age ranged from 3 to 8 weeks. One of these patients had familiar dyshormonogenesis, 21 had ectopic glands and one hemiagenesis. As a control group, we studied 46 sex- and age-matched healthy newborns. Before the beginning of therapy, the hypothyroid patients showed higher values of calcium (2.78 +/- 0.04 vs 2.65 +/- 0.07 mmol/l; p < 0.05) and of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (159.7 +/- 31.6 vs 90.5 +/- 33.1 ng/l; p < 0.01), while they showed lower values of osteocalcin (1.9 +/- 0.8 vs 2.9 +/- 0.9 ng/ml; p < 0.01) than controls. After 3 months of therapy, we found a complete normalization of all these parameters and a progressive increase of osteocalcin. Our data show that in congenital hypothyroid children there are abnormalities in calcium metabolism which seem to be transient and reversible after L-thyroxine replacement therapy.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lack of correlation between clinical patterns of asthma and airway obstruction.

To evaluate the relationship between the classification of asthma and obstruction of airways, we have studied 100 children suffering from allergic asthma: 65 males and 35 females, aged 4.2-16.3 years (mean, 7.6 +/- 2.8 years), who were evaluated at least 1 month after the last attack of airway obstruction. We analyzed personal history of all children with special reference to number of attacks of airway obstruction in the last year, severity, and presence of respiratory symptoms in the last month. The children studied have been classified in three groups according to the International Pediatric Respiratory Allergy Forum (IPRAF) '98 method (Third International Pediatric Consensus Statement on the management of childhood asthma). All children underwent the assessment of their respiratory function by means of analysis of the flow/volume loops with measurement of the obstruction indices (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], peak expiratory flow [PEF], and maximal midexpiratory flow [MMEF]). The efficacy of the aforementioned method has been evaluated by analyzing the number of the subjects who showed indices of airway obstruction not in agreement with the group assigned. Eighty-five of the children studied were diagnosed with infrequent episodic asthma (IEA), 14 children were diagnosed with frequent episodic asthma (FEA), and 1 child was diagnosed with persistent asthma (PA). Thirty-six of 100 children showed obstruction indices not in agreement with the asthma group: in particular, 24 of 85 children with IEA had FEV1 < 80%, 11 children with FEA had FEV1 > 80%, and 1 child with PA had FEV1 > 80%. The high percentage of discordance between clinical classification and obstruction index in the subjects with IEA can be caused by the persistence of abnormalities of the respiratory function without clinical symptoms. The presence of a normal obstruction index in the subjects with FEA can be explained by the pharmacologic therapies. These data suggest the usefulness of a careful evaluation of the respiratory function associated with a clinical assessment to carry out a more appropriate therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Long-term evaluation of kidney function in Schoenlein-Henoch syndrome].

The Authors studied 104 children (58 males and 46 female) with Schoenlein-Henoch syndrome, admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale Civile di Pescara, in the period 1961-1985. Clinical and laboratory aspects were evaluated. Fifty-one subjects (25 males and 26 females) were re-evaluated, after a period of 17.0 +/- 4.2 years after first hospital admission: in particular, the mean blood laboratory parameters and renal function were assessed. None of these 51 subjects showed important abnormalities, especially evidence of renal impairment. This study suggests that the Schoenlein-Henoch syndrome can have a good long-term prognosis, without important renal abnormalities.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of nasal eosinophils after specific provocation in the diagnosis of respiratory allergy].

The authors describe the results of a study of a group of children suffering from allergic rhinitis; the Authors evaluated eosinophils, basally and after nasal provocation test. Both clinical and cellular responses were evaluated. The basal results were: presence of eosinophils in 9/17 (52.9%) subjects allergic to Graminacee, in 42/61 (68.3%) subjects allergic to Dermatophagoides and in 3/3 (100%) subjects allergic to Parietaria. The results of the clinical response are the following: Graminacee: positive response in 20/22 (90.9%) tests; Dermatophagoides: 48/63 (76.2%); Parietaria: 6/6 (100%). The results of laboratory response are the following: Graminacee: positive response in 14/18 (77.8%) tests; Dermatophagoides: 45/59 (76.3%); Parietaria: 5/5 (100%). The evaluation of both responses is useful to increase the sensitivity of the nasal provocation test.

Adolescent↗