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R Zanini

Publications and source records attributed to R Zanini.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Beta-pancreatic function in subjects with thalassemia. A 4-year follow-up].

High Hb level transfusion scheme for treatment of thalassemia mayor has improved life prognosis but has increased also the incidence of Diabetes Mellitus. 10 patients with thalassemia major have been followed with OGTT for a period 4 years long (1979-1982). In 1979 we changed from low to high level transfusion regimen, and we began to use the pump for slow subcutaneous administration of desferrioxamine to treat iron overload. The results we obtained show a progressive increase of the average values in the insulinemic and glycemic plasma concentration from year to year. At the beginning of the follow-up period, insulinemic and glycemic values after OGTT showed a primitive pancreatic damage which evolved towards a better pancreatic function with the appearance of a peripheral insulin resistance. It is probable that both chronic hypoxia (low Hb level) and the iron overload (high Hb level) may cause, with different processes, an impairment of glucose metabolism.

Adolescent↗

[Echocardiographic and polycardiographic findings in multiple-transfused patients with thalassemia major].

Echocardiographic and policardiographic measurements were carried out in 11 thalassemic major patients between 2 and 24 years of age, kept at on average Hb level of 9,77 gr.% (+/- 1,13) and who underwent chelation therapy with Deferoxamine subcutaneous and Vit. C. The echocardiographic examination gave normal values in 7 patients. In 4 patients underwent enlargement of the left ventricle: only in the telediastolic diameter in one case, with progressive involvement of the aorta and the left atrium in another 3 cases. Such alterations, as have already been recorded by various researchers, are probably the result of a condition due to the anemia state of the younger patients, whereas in older and polytransfused patients may be attributed to iron overload. No parameters surveyed by the polycardiographic examination indicated significant alterations in cardiac efficiency, except of one patient. The importance of echocardiography should be stressed; it is a simple, non invasive way of recording early cardiac alterations in thalassemic major patients and enables long-term monitoring of cardiac function in the assessment of the effectiveness of the chelation therapy.

Adolescent↗

[Communication in the neonatal intensive therapy unit: the opinions of parents and of medical personnel compared].

Within the framework of an European international project, the issue of parents-staff communication in Neonatal Intensive Care Units was explored. 5 Italian unit participated in the project. 80 mothers and 62 fathers of singleton, not malformed, very low birthweight babies were interviewed during the fourth week of their baby's life, while the views of the health personnel (60 doctors and 106 nurses) were collected through an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Most of the staff feels that parents should be informed completely about their baby's conditions and prognosis, while the actual practices about transmission of information are reported differently according to professional status: more nurses than doctors feel that the information is not as complete as it should be. Uncertainty of prognosis is the most commonly quoted reason for restricting the information. Parents, on the other hand, are generally satisfied about the information received, although some of them complain about the style of communication, and especially the need to ask repeatedly in order to be informed. These results show some of the gaps existing in communication both within the staff and with parents, and suggest possible ways of improvement.

Adult↗

[Communication between neonatologists and obstetricians].

A close communication between obstetricians and neonatologists represents a basic tool for the improvement of newborn care. We shall illustrate what obstetric/neonatological communication tools are applied in our hospital. We believe the cooperation between obstetricians and pediatricians/neonatologists is of great importance for the health of both mother and newborn, thus it should become common practice even in those hospitals where neonatological intensive therapy units do not exist.

Communication↗