Biomedical subjects

L Vino

Publications and source records attributed to L Vino.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Multicystic dysplastic kidney and contralateral vesicoureteral reflux. Renal growth.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate if vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) contralateral to the multicystic dysplastic kidney can interfere with the compensatory renal hypertrophy. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (17 males, 10 females) with multicystic dysplastic kidney (MDK) (14 on the right, 13 on the left) have been treated at the Nephrology Unit of the Pediatric Department of the University of Verona from birth up to the second year of life. All these patients were diagnosed as having MDK by prenatal ultrasonography. Seven children (4 males and 3 females) had VUR (5 monolateral, 2 bilateral), diagnosed at the end of the first month of life. After diagnosis children underwent antibiotic prophylaxis with beta-lactam compounds at low doses. Four patients underwent a surgical correction of VUR associated with nephrectomy within the second year of life. The remaining 3 patients were treated with antibiotic prophylaxis; a progressive resolution or downgrading of reflux grade took place respectively in 1 and in 2 of them. Only 6 children with MDK underwent nephrectomy. Renal growth was studied by serial echographic measurements of the longitudinal renal lenght (performed at birth, at 6 months, and at 2 years of life). RESULTS: Renal length was 5.68+/-1.24 cm, 6.72+/-0.88 cm, 8.56+/-1.27 cm in children without VUR, respectively at birth, 6 months and 2 years of life. Renal length was 4.65+/-0.63 cm, 6.70+/-0.64 cm, 7.07+/-1.14 cm in children with VUR, respectively at birth, 6 months and 2 years of life. A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups at birth (p<0.05) and at 2 years of life (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion is that VUR contralateral to the MDK is associated with small kidneys and reduced renal growth both at birth and at 2 years of life.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

Megaureter: classification, pathophysiology, and management.

The term megaureter does not define a specific pathological condition, because it can be due to different underlying abnormalities. The most used classification includes three groups: refluxing megaureter, associated with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR); obstructive megaureter, associated with urine flow impairment at the vesicoureteral junction; non-refluxing non-obstructive megaureter, if neither obstruction nor reflux can be identified. Each group can be divided into two subgroups: primary megaureter; secondary megaureter. With the advent of antenatal ultrasound an increased number of cases are identified prior to the onset of symptoms. The common used investigation are: urinary tract ultrasound, voiding cystourethrography, urography, serial diuretic renography and pressure-perfusion studies (Whitaker test). The advent of prenatal and neonatal echography has modified the natural history of megaureter. Nowadays non operative management is preferred. Operative intervention is indicated only in these cases: significant impairment to urine flow; worsening renal function during the observation time; recurrent UTI in spite of adequate antibiotic prophylaxis.

Child↗

PubMed1999

46, XY, del (3) (pter-->p25) syndrome: further delineation of the clinical phenotype.

A boy with monosomy for the distal part of the short arm of chromosome 3 is described. The clinical features this patient has in common with the previously reported cases include pre- and post-natal growth delay, microcephaly, craniofacial dysmorphism and mental retardation. In addition, minor abnormalities not previously reported were observed, such as snapping thumbs, dorsiflected big toes, connecting anterior and posterior fontanelles at birth, nasolacrimal duct stenosis and double urethral meatus. Conclusion These five new clinical findings may help in further delineation of the syndrome and allow its early recognition. A complete revision of clinical findings published in literature is reported.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1999

Transient hyperechogenicity of the renal medullary pyramids: incidence in the healthy term newborn.

A screening program was performed on 1881 clinically healthy term newborns, aimed at detecting eventual pathological conditions not diagnosed during pregnancy. Seventy-three cases of transient hyperechogenicity of the renal medullary pyramids were observed, involving one or both kidneys with either sectorial or diffuse pattern. None of the neonates examined had evidence of renal dysfunction and follow-up ultrasound scans demonstrated complete resolution of the sonographic picture. Medullary hyperechogenicity is not rare in healthy term newborns (3.9%); it presents rapid resolution and should be considered in differential diagnosis of pathological conditions.

Female↗

PubMed1999

Candida infections in newborns: a review.

Despite adequate treatment, nosocomial fungal infections have become an increasingly important cause of morbidity, extended hospitalization, and mortality in critically ill newborn babies. Furthermore, the high incidence of central nervous system involvement in septic newborns frequently results in serious neurological damage and psychomotorial sequelae. The prevention of fungal colonization in the population at risk, together with prompt diagnosis and treatment, are an efficient combination which lead to a better outcome of neonatal fungal infections. New drugs characterized by great efficacy and tolerance have recently been employed in clinical practice. This article summarizes certain aspects of Candida spp. infections in the neonatal period with regard to multisystemic presentation and involvement.

Candidiasis↗

PubMed1998

Influence of environmental concentrations of NO on the exhaled NO test.

Measurement of levels of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed as a noninvasive method for evaluating the degree of airway inflammation in asthmatic patients. Some concern in the interpretation of results of such measurement may arise from possible interference by high environmental concentrations of NO inhaled by these patients. The aim of this study was to verify whether environmental concentrations of NO in the range from 0 to 150 ppb can influence levels of exhaled NO. We tested two groups of subjects. The first group, consisting of 16 subjects, was tested when environmental levels of NO were from 0 to 3 ppb and from 20 to 60 ppb, and exhaled NO mean ppb (+/- SEM) levels were 9.81 +/- 1.43 and 9.78 +/- 1.47 (p = ns) (mean +/- SEM), respectively. The second group, consisting of 30 subjects, was tested at ambient NO concentrations of 0 to 3 ppm, 80 to 100 ppm, and 120 to 150 ppb, and for 18 of these subjects who underwent testing under all three conditions investigated, the mean levels of exhaled NO were 9.23 +/- 1.51, 7.78 +/- 1.19, and 9.33 +/- 1.55 ppb (p = ns), respectively. The results of this study suggest that significantly different ambient levels of NO have no effect on levels of exhaled NO.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Acquired methemoglobinemia: a case report].

When an infant presents severe cyanosis which is not associated with respiratory distress, methaemoglobinemia should always be suspected. In children its main inducers are contaminated water or vegetable broths with high nitrate levels (especially spinach and carrots) used to prepare powdered formula or soups. Children affected with methaemoglobinemia have a peculiar lavender colour. Blood from the heel sticks is chocolate-brown and does not become pink when exposed to room air. Diagnosis can be confirmed by excluding other causes of cyanosis and by spectrophotometric analysis of blood for methaemoglobin. When methaemoglobin's levels reach 60% or more, the patient will collapse and become comatose and may die. Therapy with methylene blue results in prompt relief. In this article we report a case of methaemoglobinemia due to the administration of powdered formula mixed with vegetable broths to a newborn aged 16 days. Furthermore we will present a short review of literature regarding methaemoglobinemia caused by toxic agents over the last 10 years.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Reflux nephropathy in absence of obvious vesicoureteral reflux].

Although the majority of patients with vesicoureteric reflux presents DMSA scan alterations, parenchimal renal scars are found also in children without vesicoureteric reflux. Two clinical cases of reflux nephropathy without evidence of reflux are presented. Several explanations could be advocated to justify this picture, including haematogenous source of infection, inadequate timing and/or procedure of cystouretrography, intermittency of reflux, ascending bacteria, previous presence of reflux, and appearance of controlateral reflux during the natural history of a monolateral documented reflux. Tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategy should discussed for each patient.

Child↗