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Biomedical subjects

G Pieroni

Publications and source records attributed to G Pieroni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Peripheral diabetic neuropathy and polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementations: natural sources or biotechnological needs?

The two essential fatty acids linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, precursors of the n-6 and n-3 PUFA family, respectively, are known to play a strong regulatory function on cells via their incorporation into membrane phospholipids, and also on microcirculation by the production of eicosanoids. Moreover, diabetes mellitus induces impairment in PUFA metabolism due to an inhibition of desaturases, the enzymes involved in their synthesis. The decrease in PUFA bioavailability will conduct to marked alterations in membranes as well as impairment of the microcirculation. Those metabolic perturbations are involved in part in the degenerative complications of diabetes such as neuropathy. Nutritional supplementations with PUFA have given very interesting results in experimental diabetic neuropathy but also in human diabetic neuropathy. The gamma linolenic and arachidonic acids, members of the n-6 family, prevent the physiological abnormalities associated to neuropathy. The results obtained with the n-3 family PUFA are more discordant, probably because of the simultaneous use of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Nevertheless, the use of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phospholipids produced positive results in the treatment of experimental diabetic neuropathy. These PUFA are available from natural sources but a biotechnological demand exists to provide these PUFA in different structural forms.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Dose dependent accretion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cardiac membranes of rats fed egg yolk powder enriched in DHA.

We tested the hypothesis that enrichment of the diet with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enriched egg yolk powder could modify specifically the (n-3) fatty acids content of rat plasma, red blood cells and heart membranes. Dose-dependent effect of DHA was studied in rats supplemented during 4 weeks. Three groups of adult male rats, DHA10, DHA35 and DHA60 (n = 5 each), had their diet supplemented with 10 mg, 35 mg or 60 mg DHA/kg body weight/day, respectively. Fatty acid composition of membranes and plasma lipids were determined. A significant dose-dependent increase in DHA was observed in all three types of samples. Arachidonic acid (AA) levels did not change in heart and red blood cell membranes whereas it increased significantly in plasma with the DHA35 diet. These results contrast with that previously reported for fish oil supplementation where a decrease in AA levels was reported. Hence, DHA enriched egg yolk supplementation leads to a specific accretion of DHA without competition on AA status.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Docosahexaenoic acid-enriched egg phospholipids supplementation induces accretion of arachidonic acid in rat blood lipids.

Animal and humans studies have shown that supplementation with triacylglycerides containing omega3 fatty acids, mainly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid, can induce a decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) in blood lipids. Interestingly, we observed in a previous work that a supplementation with DHA enriched eggs in a healthy elderly population induced an accretion of AA in their blood lipids. The present study investigates whether purified DHA enriched egg phospholipids could be responsible for this effect. Four groups of rats were supplemented daily, for eight weeks, with DHA phospholipids (10, 30 or 60 mg/kg) or with soybean phospholipids. Red blood cell membranes and plasma fatty acid levels were compared with that of rats without supplementation. Soybean phospholipids supplementation increased the level of AA in blood lipids but decreased that of DHA. The doses of DHA phospholipids, 30 and 60 mg/kg, induced greater amounts of AA without affecting significantly DHA levels. In contrast, DHA phospholipids supplementation, 10 mg/kg, in which there was the greatest amount of AA, induced only a slight increase in AA levels. Moreover, DHA levels were decreased by this supplementation. These results demonstrate that specific increases in AA levels are preferentially associated with DHA phospholipids levels in supplementation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Differential effect of omega3 PUFA supplementations on Na,K-ATPase and Mg-ATPase activities: possible role of the membrane omega6/omega3 ratio.

Several functional properties of Na,K-ATPase are strongly dependent on membrane fatty acid composition, but the underlying mechanism is still not well defined. We have studied the effects of two types of supplementations enriched in the w3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the Na,K-ATPase and Mg-ATPase activities in sciatic nerve (SN) and red blood cells (RBC). Eight groups of rats, controls and diabetics, received a standard diet, supplemented or not with 30 or 60 mg/kg/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or with soybean for eight weeks. Diabetes induced significant decrease of Na,K-ATPase activity in SN (-23%) and RBC (-25%), without affecting Mg-ATPase activity. In RBC, soybean and DHA supplementations caused significant increases in Na,K-ATPase activity (in various range, +13% to +145%) in all groups, and in Mg-ATPase activity in control soybean (+65%), control and diabetic DHA high dose (+39%, +53%) and diabetic DHA low dose (+131%) groups. In SN, the soybean caused a significant decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity (-26%) and still more in the diabetic group (-53%). The DHA diet induced a slight decrease in activity in control groups, whilst during diabetes, at high dose, we noted an aggravation of this decrease (-36%). Mg-ATPase activity was not modified by supplementations except for the low dose of DHA where the activity was slightly decreased in the control group (-16%). The supplementations induced multiple tissue-specific modifications in the membrane fatty acid composition of RBC and of SN homogenates. Several specific correlations have been found between variations in fatty acids amounts and Na,K-ATPase activity in these tissues but only in RBC for Mg-ATPase activity. Indeed, we observed that the variations in Na,K-ATPase activity are positively and significantly correlated with changes in the omega6/omega3 ratio in SN as well as in RBC. These data clearly show, for the first time, that the diet could modulate the Na,K-ATPase activity via the omega6/omega3 ratio in the membranes. A similar correlation was observed with Mg-ATPase activity in RBC, suggesting also a dietary regulation of the enzyme; but for the SN, this activity might be regulated by a different omega6/omega3 ratio or by another pathway.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

Acenocoumarol therapy in pediatric patients.

To determine guidelines for administering and monitoring acenocoumarol therapy in children, 93 patients (median 5.1 years, range: 0.2-18 years) were prospectively evaluated over a 33-month period. The loading doses used were: <1 year, 0.20 mg x kg-1; >1-5 years, 0.09 mg x kg-1; 6-10 years, 0.07 mg x kg-1; 11-18 years, 0.06 mg x kg-1. In this study, the loading dose and the dose to achieve and maintain target therapeutic range (TTR) for acenocoumarol are age-dependent, with infants having the highest and teenagers having the lowest requirements. The use of a different loading dose according to age has allowed most of the children (80%) in all the age groups to achieve TTR in less than 1 week. No patients had serious bleeding or thrombotic complications. We conclude that there is an age-dependent response to acenocoumarol in pediatric patients. The implementation of an age-adjusted loading dose regimen reduces the length of hospitalization required to achieve effective anticoagulant therapy.

Acenocoumarol↗
PubMed2001

Altered erythrocyte n-3 fatty acids in Mediterranean patients with coronary artery disease.

A low frequency of ischaemic heart diseases in Eskimos has been related to polyunsaturated fatty acids. We therefore studied fatty acid patterns associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) for a possible relationship between fatty acid profile and CAD diagnosis in Mediterranean patients. The gas chromatography method was used to analyze the membranes of patients' erythrocytes. The patients without coronary stenosis were used as controls. Patients with CAD showed increased percentages of saturated fatty acids (35.8 vs. 34.2%, P<0.001) and monounsaturated fatty acids (14.6 vs. 13.6%, P<0.01), as well as reduced percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids (38.5 vs. 41.3%, P<0.001). The decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids percentages was due to the series of n-3 fatty acids (9.2 vs. 11.4%, P<0.001), mainly at the expense of docosahexaenoic acid [C22:6 (n-3)] (4.9+/-0.25% vs. 6.4+/-0.23%, P<0.001) and docosapentaenoic acid [C22:5 (n-3)] (3.0+/-0.19% vs. 3.9+/-0.12%, P<0.001). The study shows altered n-3 fatty acids in Mediterranean patients with CAD. Our data suggest that the percentage of docosahexaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids in erythrocytes could be used as indicators of an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Gamma-linolenic acid restores renal medullary thick ascending limb Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in diabetic rats.

In diabetes, the activity of Delta-6 desaturase, which converts linoleic acid (LA) into gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), the first step of arachidonic acid (AA) synthesis, is decreased, leading to alterations in membrane phospholipid composition. On the other hand, 12 wk after the onset of diabetes, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity is reduced in many organs, including the kidney. The medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) reduced Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, whereas the sodium load secondary to glomerular hyperfiltration was increased. The aim of our study was to examine whether the changes in membrane fatty acid composition resulting from the inhibition of Delta-6 desaturase may be involved in the decreased Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity observed in the outer MTAL after 12 wk of diabetes. GLA is a fatty acid that by-passes the Delta-6 desaturase step. We measured the membrane fatty acid composition and the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in the renal outer medulla of control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats 12 wk after the induction of diabetes. Measurements were performed after supplementation of control rats with sunflower oil (SO) or GLA for 12 wk, and supplementation of 12 wk diabetic rats with SO for 12 wk or with GLA for 6 or 12 wk. Supplementation with GLA not only prevented the decrease in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity observed after 12 wk of diabetes but also time dependently stimulated Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in the outer medulla. The changes in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity were related to parallel changes in the amount of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase alpha(1) subunit protein. In addition, in diabetic rats only, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was positively correlated with the amount of AA present in cell membranes (r = 0.92, P < 0.05). Our results indicate that nutritional GLA supplementation increases Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and expression in diabetic rats. In addition, the positive correlation between AA content and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity suggests that in diabetic rats, alterations in membrane fatty acid composition contribute to the decreased Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in outer medulla.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Na,K-atpase alterations in diabetic rats: relationship with lipid metabolism and nerve physiological parameters.

Type 1 diabetes induces several metabolic and biochemical disturbances which result in the alteration ofNa,K-ATPase, an enzyme implicated in the physiopathology of neuropathy Several fatty acid supplementations lessen this alteration. The aims of this study were to determine the possible relationships between Na,K-ATPase activity in nerves and red blood cells (RBCs) and, on one hand, the fatty acid alterations induced by diabetes in these tissues and plasma and on the other, on nerve physiological parameters. Two groups of rats, control and diabetic (n = 15), were sacrified 8 weeks after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV), nerve blood flow (NBF), Na,K-ATPase activity and membrane fatty acid composition of sciatic nerves, red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma were measured. NCV, NBF and Na,K-ATPase activity in RBCs and in sciatic nerves were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. We revealed a positive correlation between Na,K-ATPase activity in sciatic nerves and both NBF and NCV and between Na,K-ATPase activity in RBCs and NBF and the same activity in sciatic nerve. Diabetes induced major changes in plasma fatty acids and RBC membranes and less important changes in sciatic nerve membranes. Na,K-ATPase activity correlated negatively with C20: 4 (n-6) and C22: 4 (n-6) levels in nerves and with C18: 2 (n-6) levels in RBCs. During diabetes, changes in the membrane fatty acid composition suggest the existence of a tissue-specific regulation, and the decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity correlates with the alteration in the level of specific fatty acids in RBCs and sciatic nerves. Modifications in the lipidic environment of Na,K-ATPase would be involved in the alteration of its activity. Na,K-ATPase activity seems to be implicated in the decrease of both NCV and NBF during diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Omegacoeur, a Mediterranean nutritional complement, stimulates Na,K-ATPase activity in human endothelial cells.

Fatty acids are known as modulators of the vasoactive properties of the vessel wall and can influence the physical and functional properties of cell membrane. The membrane-bound enzyme Na,K-ATPase plays a central role in endothelial function such as vasoconstriction. In a previous study, we have shown that omega3 fatty acids inhibited Na,K-ATPase activity in human endothelial cells. As Mediterranean diet is known to protect from cardiovascular diseases, we have investigated the effects of Omegacoeur, a Mediterranean nutritional complement consisting of omega3, omega6, omega9 fatty acids, garlic and basil, on Na,K-ATPase activity in human endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cells were incubated for 18 hr with pure lecithin liposomes or Omegacoeur-enriched emulsions (4 mg lecithin/ml). Na,K-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase activities were determined using coupled assay methods on microsomal fractions obtained from HUVECs. Cell fatty acid composition was evaluated by gas chromatography after extraction of lipids and fatty acids methylation. The results showed that Omegacoeur (0.1 mM) increased Na,K-ATPase activity by 40% without changes in 5'-nucleotidase activity. Cells incubated with Omegacoeur preferentially incorporated linoleic acid. Therefore, linoleic acid or others constituents of Omegacoeur could be responsible of the stimulation of the Na,K-ATPase activity that might be related to changes in endothelial membrane fluidity.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed2001

[Ocular ultrasonography in pediatrics: persistence of hyperplastic primary vitreous].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the diagnostic viability of ultrasound and color Doppler ultrasound in a particular segment of paediatric ophthalmology-persistent primary hyperplastic vitreous, in the presence of leucocoria, retrospectively evaluated in patients observed over the last two years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We re-evaluated four patients (two new-born, one unweaned and one nine-years-old) who at ophthalmoscopic examination were suspected having persistent primitive hyperplastic vitreous. The follow-up included an ultrasound examination, basic color-Doppler ultrasound and re-evaluation during sedation both using an operative microscope and ultrasound. The examinations were performed with linear 7.5 Mhz probes and a Doppler frequency of 3.7 Mhz, while the sedation examination was performed with an anular 13 Mhz probe. The scans were sagittal and axial to correctly localize the lesion with respect to the lens, to ciliary bodies and to the optic nerve head. RESULTS: In the first patient ultrasound revealed a hyperechogenic inhomogeneous structure bilaterally in the vitreous structure; this extended from the posterior wall of the lens to the optic nerve head and retina, and was found to be highly vascolarized at the subsequent color-Doppler ultrasound. In the second patient there was an echogenic band extending from the posterior wall of the lens to the optic nerve head and to the retina, as the fourth patient showed a series of echogenic bands extending from the temporal ciliar of bodies to the temporal retina; in both cases no significant vascolarization was found by color Doppler ultrasound. In the third patient ultrasound showed a lesion involving nearly all of the vitreous body, with inhomogeneous structure with small calcifications and intense vascolarization. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound supplies essential information for the diagnosis of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous as it determines the presence of the lesion, its extension and retinal and optic nerve head involvement. As confirmed by operative microscopy the first patient had bilateral lesions involving the optic nerve head, as well as the retina, the latter which appeared raised. The second and fourth patients had typically posterior lesions; the lesion of the third patient was difficult to interpret even by operative microscopy. To conclude,Ultrasound proved to have an optimal sensitivity and specificity for precisely locating the site and extension of the lesion. By contrast, the difficulties and need for sedation with color Doppler ultrasound unlikely to be useful with paediatric patients.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on rat liver Na+/K+-ATPase.

Na+/K+-ATPase during diabetes may be regulated by synthesis of its alpha and beta subunits and by changes in membrane fluidity and lipid composition. As these mechanisms were unknown in liver, we studied in rats the effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on liver Na+/K+-ATPase. We then evaluated whether fish oil treatment prevented the diabetes-induced changes. Diabetes mellitus induced an increased Na+/K+-ATPase activity and an enhanced expression of the beta1 subunit; there was no change in the amount of the alpha1 and beta3 isoenzymes. Biphasic ouabain inhibition curves were obtained for diabetic groups indicating the presence of low and high affinity sites. No alpha2 and alpha3 isoenzymes could be detected. Diabetes mellitus led to a decrease in membrane fluidity and a change in membrane lipid composition. The diabetes-induced changes are not prevented by fish oil treatment. The results suggest that the increase of Na+/K+-ATPase activity can be associated with the enhanced expression of the beta1 subunit in the diabetic state, but cannot be attributed to changes in membrane fluidity as typically this enzyme will increase in response to an enhancement of membrane fluidity. The presence of a high-affinity site for ouabain (IC50 = 10-7 M) could be explained by the presence of (alphabeta)2 diprotomeric structure of Na+/K+-ATPase or an as yet unknown alpha subunit isoform that may exist in diabetes mellitus. These stimulations might be related, in part, to the modification of fatty acid content during diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effect of a water-soluble fiber (galactomannans)-enriched formula on gastric emptying time of regurgitating infants evaluated using an ultrasound technique.

BACKGROUND: Milk formulas enriched with water-soluble fibers are a first-line measure for infants with gastroesophageal reflux. However, it has been reported that these compounds could affect gastric emptying. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of these thickeners on gastric emptying time in infants with frequent regurgitation or vomiting. METHODS: Forty-seven infants, aged 1 to 12 months, with uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux underwent two ultrasound evaluations of gastric emptying time after receiving either a standard formula or a formula enriched with 0.4 g galactomannan per 100 ml diluted milk. Gastric emptying time was calculated by measuring the antrum area at baseline and at defined intervals over the next 3 hours. RESULTS: The gastric emptying time (mean +/- SD) for the standard and the thickened formula was 136 +/- 33 and 133 +/- 34 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference in the gastric emptying patterns of the two formulas. Gastric emptying time was longer after the standard formula in 15 of the 47 subjects, shorter in 15 of the 47, and the same in 17 of the 47. CONCLUSIONS: The ingestion of a water-soluble fiber-enriched formula does not have any significant influence on the gastric emptying time of infants with frequent regurgitation or vomiting.

Dietary Fiber↗
PubMed1999

Prethrombotic disorders in children with arterial ischemic stroke and sinovenous thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and sinovenous thrombosis (SVT) are relatively rare events in children. The contribution of prethrombotic disorders to the etiology of these entities has not been completely elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of inherited and acquired prethrombotic disorders in a pediatric population with AIS and SVT and to report clinical and radiological features. METHODS: From May 1992 to April 1997, 30 consecutive children with AIS and 10 children with SVT were assisted at a single institution. Hemostatic evaluation was performed for all the children. Evaluation included the following assays: protein C, protein S, antithrombin, plasminogen, activated protein C resistance, factor V Leiden mutation, and the detection of antiphospholipid antibodies. Data concerning baseline demographics, risk factors, presenting features, family history of thrombosis, and radiological findings were also recorded. RESULTS: One or more prethrombotic disorders were present in 9 children (30%) with AIS (inherited protein S deficiency, 2 patients; inherited protein C deficiency, 1 patient; acquired antithrombin deficiency, 2 patients; antiphospholipid antibodies, 3 patients; and antiphospholipid antibodies and plaminogen deficiency, 1 patient) and in 5 children (50%) with SVT (inherited protein S deficiency, 1 patient; acquired antithrombin deficiency, 3 patients; and antiphospholipid antibodies, 1 patient). CONCLUSIONS: Most children studied presented both a variety of risk factors for thrombosis and concomitant prethrombotic disorders. Therefore, a complete hemostatic evaluation for all children with AIS and SVT should be performed, despite the presence of obvious clinical risk factors or lack of family history of thrombosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Alterations of Na,K-ATPase isoenzymes in the rat diabetic neuropathy: protective effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids.

Diabetic neuropathy is a degenerative complication of diabetes accompanied by an alteration of nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and Na,K-ATPase activity. The present study in rats was designed first to measure diabetes-induced abnormalities in Na,K-ATPase activity, isoenzyme expression, fatty acid content in sciatic nerve membranes, and NCV and second to assess the preventive ability of a fish oil-rich diet (rich in n-3 fatty acids) on these abnormalities. Diabetes was induced by intravenous streptozotocin injection. Diabetic animals (D) and nondiabetic control animals (C) were fed the standard rat chow either without supplementation or supplemented with either fish oil (DM, CM) or olive oil (DO, CO) at a daily dose of 0.5 g/kg by gavage during 8 weeks. Analysis of the fatty acid composition of purified sciatic nerve membranes from diabetic animals showed a decreased incorporation of C16:1(n-7) fatty acids and arachidonic acids. Fish oil supplementation changed the fatty acid content of sciatic nerve membranes, decreasing C18:2(n-6) fatty acids and preventing the decreases of arachidonic acids and C18:1(n-9) fatty acids. Protein expression of Na,K-ATPase alpha subunits, Na,K-ATPase activity, and ouabain affinity were assayed in purified sciatic nerve membranes from CO, DO, and DM. Na,K-ATPase activity was significantly lower in sciatic nerve membranes of diabetic rats and significantly restored in diabetic animals that received fish oil supplementation. Diabetes induced a specific decrease of alpha1- and alpha3-isoform activity and protein expression in sciatic nerve membranes. Fish oil supplementation restored partial activity and expression to varying degrees depending on the isoenzyme. These effects were associated with a significant beneficial effect on NCV. This study indicates that fish oil has beneficial effects on diabetes-induced alterations in sciatic nerve Na,K-ATPase activity and function.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Percutaneous renal biopsy in children: use of a fine needle].

Percutaneous renal biopsies were performed on native kidneys in 40 children and adolescent, aged 1.7-13 (mean 6.7) years. Bleeding diatheses were excluded by the determination of Hb, blood platelets, PT, PTI and fibrinogen. Biopsies were performed under ultrasound imaging, using a semiautomated and thin needle (20 gauge in children with age under 5 years and 18 gauge for those over 5 years). All the patients were lightly sedated, except for 3 ones who received a general anesthesia. Diagnostically adequate tissue was retrieved in 38 of 40 biopsy procedures (95%). A macro-haematuria was observed with elimination of haematic coagula in 3 children (7.5%) and 24-h post-biopsy ultrasonography disciosed a small haematoma of the biopsied kidney in 2 one (5%). No mayor complications occurred. We conclude that the use of ultrasound imaging and a semiautomated needle is a safe and efficient method for performing renal biopsies in paediatric patients. The use of smaller (18 or 20-gauge) cutting needles would reduce the complications rate while allowing retrieval of sufficient tissue for histologic diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Neonatal hemoperitoneum: role of ultrasonography. Experience with 4 cases].

This study was aimed at investigating the role of US in the newborn with a clinical suspicion of hemoperitoneum. Hemoperitoneum is a dramatic clinical event which may be caused by some obstetrical and fetal factors--breech or complicated delivery, hepatomegaly, macrosomy, anoxic liver congestion being the most frequent causes. Direct or indirect trauma of an abdominal organ during delivery represents the major pathogenetic factor. Clinical symptoms are correlated with the appearance of shock whose intensity is proportional to trauma severity: symptoms may appear even 48 hours after delivery. The authors report their experience with 4 consecutive cases of neonatal hemoperitoneum which underwent US of the abdomen 24 to 72 hours after birth. In the first 3 newborns, US was performed on the basis of a clinical picture of bleeding shock, while in the extant newborn US was performed after a sudden increase in blood transaminase level associated with an obstetrical paralysis of the left arm. The US examinations were performed using a 7.5-MHz sectorial probe unit (Siemens). In all patients, US demonstrated the presence of a liquid effusion in the abdomen which could be referred to hemoperitoneum. In two patients, it was associated with a traumatic focal alteration of the liver parenchyma, in the third with a diffuse subcapsular liver hematoma and, finally in the fourth patient with a disconnected splenic vascular pedicle which was at surgery demonstrated. In conclusion, US is indicated as the most reliable and valuable diagnostic technique in the study of neonatal hemoperitoneum. The authors believe abdominal US to be essential in all the neonatal cases where hemoperitoneum is suspected and in selected cases presenting specific risk factors, to allow a rapid diagnosis and better treatment planning.

Hemoperitoneum↗