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Biomedical subjects

M Strambi

Publications and source records attributed to M Strambi.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Blood pressure in the small-for-gestational age newborn.

AIM: The aim of the paper is to verify the existence of an inverse correlation between birth weight and blood pressure (BP) in neonates, infants and adolescents. METHODS: BP was measured at 7 days, 3, 6, 9, 12 months and 7-18 years in 432 subjects born at term at the Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena; 228 of these subjects were small for gestational age (SGA) and 204 appropriate for gestational age (AGA). For small babies, BP was measured with a DYNAMAP oscillometer which provides digital visualisation of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure and heart rate. In older children, a mercury sphygmomanometer was used. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 8.01 software using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normality of populations. RESULTS: Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences between SGA and AGA subjects in the various age classes of the first 12 months of life. Significant correlation was found between 7 and 18 years with differences in the various age classes for systolic pressure. Subjects with normal birthweight had lower systolic and diastolic BP. SGA males had higher risk of high systolic and diastolic pressure, whereas SGA females were only at higher risk for elevated diastolic pressure. CONCLUSIONS: SGA subjects should be monitored for BP and life-style between 7 and 18 years to risk of cardiovascular disease.

Adolescent↗

Homocystinuria with transverse sinus thrombosis.

A case of cerebral venous thrombosis caused by undiagnosed homocystinuria is reported. The pitfalls regarding the diagnosis of a potentially medically treatable condition are discussed. Cerebral venous thrombosis in children has a variable type of onset and a multiplicity of causes. This type of pathology, although not frequent, is more common than previously thought. Among the different etiologies, undiagnosed homocystinuria is not routinely considered. We report a case of venous thrombosis of the left transverse cerebral sinus in a girl with drug-resistant partial epilepsy and homocystinuria. This diagnosis was considered and confirmed after the appearance of acute cerebral symptoms caused by venous thrombosis.

Child↗

Biologic monitoring of exposure to organophosphorus pesticides in 195 Italian children.

One hundred ninety-five 6- to 7-year-old children who lived in the municipality of Siena (Tuscany, Italy), underwent biologic monitoring to evaluate urinary excretion of several alkylphosphates that are metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides. We evaluated dimethylphosphate (DMP), dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP), dimethyldithiophosphate (DMDTP), diethylphosphate (DEP), diethylthiophosphate (DETP), and diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP). We obtained urine samples taken in the children's schools, and each sample was accompanied by a questionnaire about lifestyle and dietary habits. We found DMP and DMTP in detectable concentrations in the greatest number of samples (96 and 94%, respectively). The DMP values were geometric mean (GM) 116.7, [geometric standard deviation (GSD) 2.5], and a range of 7.4-1,471.5 nmol/g creatinine. The corresponding DMTP values were GM 104.3 (GSD 2.8) and a range of 4.0-1,526.0 nmol/g creatinine. DMDTP, DEP, DETP, and DEDTP concentrations were GM 14.1, (GSD 3.0), and a range of 3.3-754.6 nmol/g creatinine in 34% of the children; GM 33.2, (GSD 2.4), and a range of 5.1-360.1 nmol/g creatinine in 75% of the children; GM 16.0, (GSD 2.9), and a range of 3.1-284.7 in 48% of the children; and GM 7.7, (GSD 2.1), and a range of 2.3-140.1 in 12% of the children, respectively. The significant variable for urinary excretion of these metabolites in children was pest control operations performed inside or outside the house in the preceding month; however, the presence of a vegetable garden near the house rarely emerged. The urinary excretion of alkylphosphates in children was significantly higher than in a group of the adult population resident in the same province.

Agriculture↗

Blood pressure in childhood and adolescence: the Italian normal standards. Study Group on Hypertension' of the Italian Society of Pediatrics'.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a national standard level of blood pressure (BP) for Italian children on the basis of a large sample of the population. DESIGN: We analyzed data available from 21 Italian studies conducted according to the recommendations of the American Task Force between 1988 and 1994. Percentile curves of systolic and diastolic BP were constructed by fitting a third-order polynomial model of BP on age and height using multiple regression analysis. PARTICIPANTS: BP was measured in 11 519 healthy individuals (6258 boys and 5261 girls) aged 5-17 years in various locations throughout Italy. All measurements were performed at school. RESULTS: Percentile curves (5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th) of systolic and diastolic BP are reported by age and by height for males and females. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the American standards, the levels in Italy for the 90th and 95th percentiles were 3-8 mmHg higher for systolic and diastolic BP in both sexes between 5 and 12 years of age, and 2-3 mmHg higher in older males. With respect to Northern Europe, in the lower ages, levels in Italy were quite similar, although slightly higher, whereas in late adolescence, the Northern European levels were much higher, especially in males, with differences of 4-5 mmHg for the mean values and 8-12 mmHg for the 95th percentile.

Adolescent↗

[Tables of the arterial hypertension in children in Italy (from 0 to 18 years)].

For the first time in Italy, the results of a multicentre study of the Study Group into Juvenile Hypertension of the Italian Society of Paediatrics in 16.772 subjects from 0 to 18 years, are presented. Percentile charts (tables) of juvenile blood pressure (BP) levels according respectively to age and height of the subjects divided by sex, have been elaborated. Also pressure curves have been calculated and drawn that are based on standard deviations (DS). Normal levels are between + and -2DS. The relationship of BP levels with age permits the comparison with the Task force Tables, whilst the relationship with height permits comparison with the European data.

Adolescent↗

[Plasma levels of lipids and apoprotein in a group of middle-school students 11-14 years of age: preliminary data].

Plasma lipids and apoprotein A and B levels were measured in 63 children, of both sexes, in the age range 11-14 years. The children have been subjected to a blood drawing after a 12 hour fast at least. Statistical analysis proves that total cholesterol (TC) is positively correlated with triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL) with apolipoproteins A (Apo A), apolipoproteins A (Apo A) with apoproteins B (Apo B). In the end we confirm the utility of determining plasma lipids and apoproteins to estimate lipidic risk for atherosclerosis in pediatric age.

Adolescent↗

[Prognostic aspects of esophageal ph-metry in infants with reflux].

Gastroesophageal reflux (g.e.r.) is a very common event in children particularly in infants. Twenty-four-hour continuous esophageal pH monitoring has become the preferred test to quantify acid gastroesophageal reflux. It has a large sensitivity and specificity, but it does not allow a good prediction of esophagitis. The Authors show a computerized method to determine the area under the curve (a.u.c.) and the percentage of time at different pH levels. These parameters have shown the same sensitivity and specificity as DeMeester-Boix-Ochoa score. They directly relate the time of exposure and pH level in every reflux under pH 4 and so they suggest a better prognostic index. To improve this approach to g.e.r. we will need other studies with this method.

Age Factors↗