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Biomedical subjects

C Zorzi

Publications and source records attributed to C Zorzi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Interatrial septal aneurysm and genetic prothrombotic disorders: possible interaction in the pathogenesis of pediatric stroke.

Stroke in children is a rare condition and has a multifactorial etiology. The association between ischemic stroke in young adults and some minor cardiac abnormalities such as atrial septal aneurysm with or without interatrial shunting has recently been reported: however, the pathogenetic mechanism still remains unclear. Genetic and acquired prothrombotic disorders are also risk factors for cerebral ischemic events in children. We report a case of ischemic stroke in a 10-year-old female child who was heterozygous for the prothrombin G20210A variant and who presented with an atrial septal aneurysm associated with an interatrial shunt. We hypothesize that these risk factors play a synergic role but their relative importance and whether alone they can determine cerebral embolism remain to be determined.

Blood Coagulation Disorders, Inherited↗
PubMed1997

Clinical approach to the analysis of causes of death in the first two years of life of very-low-birthweight infants in a multicentre setting.

Mortality in the first 2 years of 634 very-low-birthweight infants admitted to eight neonatal intensive care units in Italy, and the factors associated with the net probability of death from each cause, were studied by means of the Cox proportional hazard model. A clinical classification of the causes of death was used. Overall mortality was 33.7% (intercentre range 12.6-52.9%). The highest cause-specific mortality rates were observed for respiratory problems, intra-ventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and infections (14.5%, 6.3% and 5.7% respectively). The leading causes of death were respiratory problems and IVH in the first week of life, infections from the second week up to the end of the first month, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) afterwards. Birthweight < 1000 g, gestational age < 30 weeks, absence of spontaneous respiratory activity, unknown body temperature and pH < 7.20 at admission were associated with death from respiratory problems and IVH. Male sex, birthweight < 1000 g and unknown body temperature at admission were associated with death from BPD. Mortality from infections was higher in one centre; no other differences emerged among the eight NICUs. The classification of the causes of death employed and the use of the net probabilities of death appear as practical and useful instruments to study the relationship between specific aspects of medical care and mortality, and to investigate the reasons for differences in performance between neonatal units.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1994

Intelligence outcome in children with shunted hydrocephalus of different etiology.

Children with shunted hydrocephalus of differing etiologies were assessed. There was a more selective loss of non-verbal than of verbal intelligence. The verbal and visuo-perceptual abilities were affected by different sets of variables. Variables related to the hydrocephalus had no effects, while associated supratentorial malformations significantly affected non-verbal functions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Hallervorden-Spatz disease: clinical and MRI study of 11 cases diagnosed in life.

The diagnosis of Hallervorden-Spatz disease (HSD) has usually been made post mortem, although the recent description of characteristic abnormalities in the globus pallidus has suggested the possibility of an in vivo diagnosis. We present the clinical histories, neurological features and MRI findings of 11 patients, diagnosed as having HSD. Generalized dystonia with predominance of oromandibular involvement, behavioural changes followed by dementia and retinal degeneration were present in all the patients. MRI pallidal abnormalities consisted of decreased signal intensity in T2-weighted images, compatible with iron deposits, and of a small area of hyperintensity in its internal segment ("eye of the tiger" sign). We propose that the combination of these neurological signs with these MRI findings could be considered as highly suggestive of a diagnosis of HSD in living patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Exercise performance in very low birth weight children at the age of 7-12 years.

Fifteen very low birth weight children, 9 appropriate for gestational age (AGA, mean birth weight 1302 +/- 164 g) and 6 small for gestational age children (SGA, mean birth weight 1263 +/- 117 g), were studied at the age of 7-12 years, and compared to a group of 26 healthy, age-, sex-, and height-matched children born at term. None of the VLBW children had developed chronic bronchopulmonary disease. Pulmonary function tests and progressive exercise tests on a treadmill were performed. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at 1 s and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity were normal for all subjects. No differences were found in maximum oxygen consumption, anaerobic threshold and maximal heart rate between the AGA and SGA children and the respective controls. Both in the AGA and SGA subgroups, the pre-exercise oxygen uptake results were comparable to those of the controls. In the SGA subgroup the energy cost of running was significantly higher with respect to the controls, while no difference was found between the AGA and the control children. In conclusion, children with birth weight less than 1501 g have normal values of aerobic fitness. In SGA children the efficiency of running is slightly reduced.

Anaerobic Threshold↗
PubMed1991

The prognostic significance of acute neonatal renal failure.

We evaluated 38 newborns with acute renal failure (plasma creatinine (Pcr) concentration greater than = 1.5 mg/dl), measured between the 2nd and 5th days. We used renal ultrasound to exclude the possibility of congenital renal anomalies, obstructive pathology or vascular disorders. We calculated the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using Schwartz' formula and the maximal concentrating capacity using intranasal administration of desamino-cis-1-D-arginine-8-vasopressin (DDAVP test). Two newborns were treated with peritoneal dialysis and died during the first month of life. Thirty-six had a follow-up blood sample drawn: 24 preterm babies between 1 and 12 months, and 12 full-term babies between 1 and 36 months of life. From this sampling 4 babies (11.1%) showed defective maximal concentrating ability. Our data reveal the persistence of altered concentrating ability in newborns affected by renal failure and shows that this problem needs a longitudinal study and further diagnostic investigations.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1989

Subependymal pseudocysts in the neonate.

Serial ultrasound examinations were performed through the anterior fontanelle to detect and follow subependymal pseudocysts (SP) in 19 neonates without severe malformations. A high-resolution real-time sector scanner was employed. In 8 cases the SP involved both lateral ventricles, in 11 cases they were unilateral and in 7 neonates they were associated with other cerebral abnormalities. Follow up showed that in 13 cases the SP had disappeared by 9 months. No neuro-developmental abnormalities have so far been observed in the 11 children with isolated SP at birth, while in 5 of the 7 cases with associated cerebral abnormalities neurodevelopmental sequelae developed.

Child Development↗
PubMed1989

Dexamethasone in the treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Sixteen chronically ventilator-dependent newborns with BPD were treated with one or more cycles of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg/day). In 11 cases extubation was possible during the therapy period. Ventilatory parameters were lowered in 3 other newborns. FIO2, respiratory rate, PIP, and PEEP, assessed before and after dexamethasone administration, decreased in a statistically significant way. Our data confirm the utility of dexamethasone in the extubation in chronically ventilated infants with BPD.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗
PubMed1988

Spontaneous intraventricular haemorrhage in utero.

The authors report three cases of unexplained prenatal intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in three term infants. In the first two cases the suspected diagnosis of prenatal IVH was made a few hours after delivery, in accordance with the ultrasonographic feature of clots in the ventricles, whereas in the third case prenatal ultrasonography was suggestive of hydrocephalus with intraventricular clots.

Brain↗
PubMed1988

Agenesis of the bladder: a case report and review of the literature.

Agenesis of the bladder is a rare congenital anomaly, recorded most often in stillborn infants. Renal agenesis and other severe malformations are frequently associated. An apparent failure of the infraureteral tissue of the mesonephric duct to develop into trigone and proximal urethra seems to be the cause of this anomaly. We report a case of bladder agenesis with anal atresia, left renal dysplasia, and bicornuate uterus.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Periventricular intraparenchymal cystic lesions: critical determinant of neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants.

During a four-year period, 154 surviving preterm infants of 32 weeks gestation or less were prospectively examined by cerebral ultrasound for periventricular-intraparenchymal cystic lesions (IPCL) subsequent to ischemic and/or haemorrhagic damage. Neurological and developmental outcome was assessed with examinations at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 months of age corrected for prematurity. Twenty-four (15.5%) patients were found to have IPCL changes at ultrasound. In 8 cases, a porencephalic cyst subsequent to grade IV IVH (Papile's classification) was found; all had cerebral palsy and severe developmental deficit was present in 4. Diffuse bilateral PVL was found in 8 cases: 1 was not evaluable, 7 developed cerebral palsy; the developmental delay was severe in 4, moderate in 2 patients, and only 1 was normal. Four patients had localized bilateral PVL: 3 patients had mild diplegia and 1 was normal; the developmental outcome was normal only in 1 case, 1 had a severe cognitive delay, and 2 were moderate. In the remaining 4 cases, the ultrasound showed a monolateral localized PVL: 1 patient had mild diplegia and moderate cognitive delay, 3 were normal. - This study confirms the important role of the ultrasonographic diagnosis of IPCL in preterm infants to foresee later neurodevelopmental outcome. Extensive parenchymal lesions were strongly associated with major neurodevelopmental handicaps, while localized and small lesions were correlated with more favorable neurological as well as developmental prognosis.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗
PubMed1988

Long-term neurological and psychological outcome of babies with low birthweight (less than or equal to 1500 g) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Padua University.

Mortality and long-term outcome in low birthweight infants (less than or equal to 1500 g) treated in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Padua in 1975, 1978/79, and 1983 were analysed. Mortality rates fell from 75% in 1975 to 58% in 1978/79 and to 33% in 1983. Incidence of sequelae decreased from 1975 to 1978/79 and did not change between 1978/79 and 1983. No perinatal pathology (RDS, hyperbilirubinemia, endocranial hemorrhage) was statistically related with long-term outcome, but some associations (RDS + endocranial hemorrhage + seizures) appeared more frequently in cases which presented major neurological sequelae.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1987

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a longitudinal study of 20 cases.

Of 20 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 17 survived (85%) and were followed prospectively up to one year post-term. Lower respiratory tract infections occurred in 12 patients (70.5%), and in 7 (41%) at least one hospital admission was required. At one year post-term follow-up, 9 patient (52.9%) continued to present respiratory symptoms, and 5 out of 13 (38.4%) radiographic changes. Six cases (35%) presented chronic cor pulmonale. Only 6 children (35%) showed normal growth, while the others showed deficits in one or more growth parameters. Cerebral palsy occurred in 41% of the children; 3 cases of severe tetraparesis and 4 of moderately severe palsy (hemiparesis or diplegia). Developmental quotient (DQ) was less than 70 in 6 cases (35%), from 70-90 in 4 (23.5%), and greater than 90 in 7 (41%). The severe neurodevelopmental outcomes were significantly correlated with the presence of important neonatal cerebral pathology (3-4 degrees IVH or periventricular leukomalacia). Retinopathy due to prematurity was diagnosed in 7 patients (41%), and in 5 it progressed to retrolental fibroplasia. Ten cases (58.8%) showed strabism, of which 8 had previous eye background involvement. Hearing deficit was not detected in any patient. Esthetic and functional sequelae consisted of scalp eschar (3 cases), post-thoracotomy scar (1 case), pleural drainage scars (3 cases), nasal deformity due to prolonged intubation (1 case), laryngeal stenosis (1 case), and post-tracheostomy stenosis (1 case).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

Ultrasonography and computed tomography in midline cerebral malformations.

Ultrasonography (US) has become an important method for the investigation of neonatal cerebral disorders. Its role in the diagnosis of cerebral malformations has been well illustrated in the recent literature. This report presents 16 children with midline malformations (of 78 neonates and children with cerebral abnormality diagnosed with US) who were also examined with computed tomography (CT). Among the 16 children there were 2 with lipoma of the corpus callosum, 1 neonate with aneurysm of the vein of Galen, 2 with agenesis of the corpus callosum, 1 newborn with a large cyst in the quadrigeminal plate cistern, 3 with a Dandy-Walker malformation, 5 with a posterior fossa cyst, and 2 with a Chiari II malformation. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in midline malformations and the role of computed tomography for further investigation is emphasized. CT was necessary after US mostly in hyperechogenic lesions such as lipomas and partly thrombosed aneurysms of the vein of Galen, while in the anechogenic cystic lesions US alone was satisfactory.

Brain↗