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C Livieri

Publications and source records attributed to C Livieri.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The influence of dietary education in diabetic children.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of dietary education in inducing modification of the diet and to measure biochemical parameters in 36 children and adolescents with IDDM. At the beginning of the study, each patient was evaluated as follows: food intake (by the method of the 24-h recall for 3 days), auxological parameters, biochemical parameters. Thereafter a program of nutritional guidelines was provided. Subsequent meetings took place at 1-month-intervals. The study ended 3 months later, when all the parameters were completely revalued. We observed improved nutrition in our patients both in terms of total caloric intake and calorie distribution. In particular there was an increase in carbohydrates and a reduction in lipids, reaching the percentage levels recently recommended. With a reduction in lipid intake a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol were noticed in our patients. These modifications are very important for the prevention of arteriosclerosis and thus macrovascular disease. We maintain that dietary education plays an important role in helping children and adolescents with IDDM to follow a suitable diet.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Alterations of in vitro interleukin 1 and 2 in diabetic children.

We studied interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) production in unstimulated and stimulated cultures from 27 young diabetic patients and 21 age-matched healthy subjects. In unstimulated cultures monocytes from newly diagnosed patients produced significantly higher levels of IL-1 than controls. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cultures, IL-1 production in patients with fresh and long-standing diabetes was no different from that of controls. IL-2 production was low or absent in unstimulated cultures from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients and controls. In phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cultures both patient groups produced significantly less IL-2 than controls. No correlation was observed between IL-1, IL-2 production and HbA1 levels or the presence of HLA-DR3 or DR4. Our data on "spontaneous" IL-1 production support the hypothesis that monocytes from some newly diagnosed IDDM patients may circulate in a "preactivated" state. The low levels of IL-2 might be explained by an abnormal consumption or by the presence of increased soluble IL-2 receptor levels or by a serum factor which interferes with IL-2 production. Alternatively, it may be a genetically determined trait.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Italian extended HLA haplotypes in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

In order to complete the data on human 21-Hydroxylase deficiency, we present a study on HLA markers in 35 Italian families (14 from Northern, eight from Central and 13 from Southern Italy) with one affected child. Three children from the issue of first cousin marriages were homozygous for the whole HLA haplotype. Extended haplotypes shared by unrelated patients were not found, and a total absence of the HLA Bw47 allele among the haplotypes carrying the disease as well as normal haplotypes was observed. The absence of A1 Cw7 B8 BfS C4AQ0 C4B1 DR3 extended haplotype was instead confirmed. Allele frequencies in the different clinical forms were analyzed: BfSO7 allele frequency was significantly increased on haplotypes of the salt-wasting form (p less than 0.01). We noticed two duplications (C4B1-2) of C4B genes, on haplotypes involved in the disease. Allele distribution in the regions studied showed that Bw22 (w55), Cw3 and DR2 were characteristic of Northern patients, while B15 was found in patients from Central Italy.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMed1987

Dexamethasone fails to suppress hyperendorphinaemia of obese children.

In order to evaluate the origin of hyperendorphinaemia in obese patients, plasma B-endorphin (B-EP), B-lipotropin (B-LPH) and cortisol levels were measured in basal conditions and after overnight treatment with 1 mg of dexamethasone. Thirteen obese children (weight excess ranging from 44 to 100%) and 10 normal weight controls were studied. Weight gain started in prepuberty and could not be explained by concurrent diseases. Hormone levels were measured by RIA, either directly in the plasma (cortisol) or after silicic acid extraction and Sephadex G-75 column chromatography (B-EP and B-LPH). Basal B-EP levels in the obese children (19.4 +/- 4.9 pmol/l, mean +/- SEM) were significantly higher than in the controls (7.8 +/- 1.2, P less than 0.01), whereas B-LPH and cortisol was within normal range. In the controls, post-dexamethasone morning and afternoon hormone levels were significantly suppressed. In the obese children, B-EP concentrations remained unaffected by the treatment (14.6 +/- 5.3 and 14.9 +/- 5.2 at 08.00 and 16.00 h, respectively), whereas both B-LPH and cortisol values were significantly decreased. These data demonstrate that a short-term dexamethasone treatment is unable to correct the increased B-EP levels which characterize obese children, whereas it is effective on B-LPH and cortisol concentrations. It can be concluded that circulating B-EP in this condition loses the control of CRH. However, the origin of hyperendorphinaemia in obese patients still remains to be investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Auto-immunity in children with diabetes mellitus and in their relatives.

Islet cell antibodies (ICA-IgG and complement-fixing-ICA), parietal cell antibodies (PCA), intestinal epithelial cell antibodies (IECA), thyroglobulin (TgA) and thyroid microsomal antibodies (MsA), antinuclear (ANA) and reticulin antibodies (RA), were studied in 55 insulin-dependent diabetic patients (30 males and 25 females), aged 2-19 years with diabetes from a few days up to 14 years. In 58% of the diabetics one or more autoantibodies were found: ICA-IgG (31%), CF-ICA (16%), PCA (34%), TgA (9%), MsA (9%), ANA (13%), RA (2%). Autoantibodies were significantly more frequent in females (76%) than in males (43%) (P less than 0.025). ICA-IgG, CF-ICA, PCA, ANA were significantly more frequent in patients than in controls. The frequency of ICA-IgG and CF-ICA was significantly higher during the first 3 years of disease than afterwards (P less than 0.001); a similar pattern was observed for PCA, TgA, MsA. Of the 87 parents and 30 siblings screened for ICA-IgG, CF-ICA, PCA, IECA, TgA, MsA, ANA and RA, 42 (44%) had one or more autoantibodies, which were more frequent in females than in males. Seven relatives (6%) were ICA-IgG positive (four mothers, two fathers and one brother), and only one mother, ICA-IgG negative, was CF-ICA positive. Other autoantibodies were also more frequent in parents than in controls. Autoantibody-positive relatives have been asymptomatic up to now.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Ruvalcaba syndrome: a case report.

An 11-year-old child with mental retardation and short stature was examined and found to be affected with some skeletal malformations. The clinical and radiological pattern of limb alterations was particularly suggestive of the features of Ruvalcaba syndrome. A complete examination confirmed the diagnosis and showed ocular involvement. To the best of our knowledge this is first published confirmation of Ruvalcaba syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The use of highly purified glucomannan-based fibers in childhood obesity].

To evaluate the effectiveness of highly purified glucomannan in childhood obesity a study has been carried out in 23 obese children (12 boys and 11 girls, aged 5.2-15.8 years), with excess weight of 51 +/- 16%, treated with 2-3 caps twice a day of glucomannan fibres (DICOMAN 5:2-3 gr/die), and in 30 obese children (aged 5-18 years) with excess weight of 51 +/- 10%, studied as controls. After a three-days food recall, a balanced diet with adequate caloric intake was provided to all obese children. In all patients before and 2-4 months after the auxological data (weight, height, weight excess) and laboratory data (serum levels of cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, fructosamine, glycosylated hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, iron, calcium, Cu and Zn) have been determined. Excess weight and triglycerides levels were significantly decreased in treated obese patients than in obese controls 4 months after the beginning of the study. A decrease of cholesterol levels was also observed in treated obese patients, but not in controls, whereas serum iron, calcium, copper and zinc persisted unchanged. No important side-effects were observed in treated patients. On the basis of our results highly purified glucomannan fibres may be employed with effectiveness in obese and dyslipidemic children together with diet.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age-related changes in excitability of nociceptive flexion reflex. An electrophysiological study in school-age children and young adults.

By stimulating the sural nerve at the retromalleolar level and recording EMG response from biceps femoris muscle two components can be evoked: RII (shorter latency, lower threshold, non-nociceptive) and RIII (longer latency, higher threshold, nociceptive). RIII reflex represents a useful tool for pain research in humans since a close correlation exists between the reflex threshold and that of pain. In our study, latency, amplitude, duration and threshold of RII and RIII reflexes were investigated in school-age children (aged 7-14 years) and young adults. RIII threshold was significantly lowered in children, while the other parameters were similar in both groups. Our data suggest the existence of a reduced inhibitory descending control in nociceptive spinal neurones in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Experience in diet therapy of child obesity].

During the last 14 years 1620 children and adolescents, 806 boys and 814 girls, aged 2-20 yrs, were referred for overweight as outpatients to the Pediatric Endocrine Center of the University of Pavia. On first admission 170 (10%) of the 1620 subjects had a percent overweight of less than 20% referred to ideal weight for height; 350 (22%) patients with overweight ranging from 25 to plus 100 were lost to follow up. We report our dietary management on 1100 children with percent overweight between 25-120, treated for a period of at least 3 months to a maximum of 7 years (mean 3 yrs). All patients were provided with a physiological diet with an adequate or slightly reduced caloric intake for their height (P 15%, F 25%, C 60%). A regular physical activity was recommended to our patients. Before they started the diet patients kept a daily food diary for three days, which included recording information about what food was eaten, how it was prepared and the time at which it was consumed. Food recalls showed a higher caloric intake for height and age with fat and protein excess, especially of animal origin. A lot of snacks, particularly sweets, and soft drinks were consumed during the day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hyperthyroidism in children (author's transl)].

The present paper analyzes the causes, signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism in children and the problems, complications and results associated with the various therapeutic regimes. Childhood hyperthyroidism is usually due to Grave's disease, an autoimmune thyroid disease. Genetic factors are also involved in its development. The diagnosis and in particular the differential diagnosis with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are discussed. Treatment of Graves' disease is controversial, but medical therapy is commonly accepted as the treatment of choice. Some dosage schedules of antithyroid drugs are considered, and some techniques for predicting remission status and relapse of disease are reported. Both the minor and more serious complications of medical therapy are examined. Careful follow-up for the development of hypothyroidism is advocated, especially in patients treated with radiation or surgery. Autonomous hyperfunctioning thyroid adenoma is rare, but occurs even in childhood, and can degenerate into carcinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Buschke's scleredema and carditis: a clinical case].

An 11-year old girl who presented non-pitting edema of the face and neck, shoulder pain and a gallop rhythm about 10 days after a febrile episode with sore throat is described. The mask-like facial appearance and limited movement of the neck led to suspect scleredema which may be accompanied by carditis. Skin and muscle biopsy findings confirmed the diagnosis. Cardiac involvement included a gallop rhythm persisting for 6 months, ECG changes consisting in transitory T-wave inversion in leads II and V2 - V4, a transitory pericardial function rub and hepatomegaly due to right-sided failure which responded to digitalization. In this case the presence of a gallop rhythm and elevated ASLO titer led to an initial diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever; dermatomysitis and sclerodermia are also to be considered in the differential diagnosis of scleredema of Buschke. In our patient the edema resolved completely within 12 months, the gallop rhythm within 6 months and the ECG became normal after 8 months.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗