Minerva pediatrica
-
Comparative Study
Value of routine postextubation chest X-ray on prognosis for neonates.
The postextubation chest X-ray (CXR) is frequently taken in neonates who have undergone mechanical ventilation (MV); however, this is not an evidence-based practice. The aim of this paper was to assess the utility of routine post-extubation CXR on the prognosis for neonates who have undergone MV. ⋯ Although it may help accelerate hospital discharge, the utility of routine CXR on prognosis is uncertain. Consequently, it is required to conduct studies of greater magnitude in order to assess the relevance of this procedure.
-
Observational Study
Dexamethasone does not reduce length of hospitalization or recurrent wheezing 1 year after early bronchiolitis.
It has been suggested that a 6-day dexamethasone course combined with adrenaline may significantly reduce the admission rate in outpatients. It has also been suggested that prednisolone may reduce recurrent wheezing. Our aim was to investigate whether treatment with steroids, especially high dose dexamethasone, is associated with the length of hospitalization or with recurrent wheezing. ⋯ High dose dexamethasone or medium-dose prednisolone during AB provided no benefit in a short or long-term period in young, previously healthy hospitalized infants.
-
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in Albanian overweight children.
Overweight and obesity has emerged as a significant global health problem in the pediatric population. Childhood non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a common and important liver disease. Although mostly benign, some children with NAFLD develop fibrosis and in some case cirrhosis. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in overweight Albanian children, to evaluate the demographic and biochemical details and to assess the association between the severity of fatty liver changes and demographic and biochemical abnormalities. ⋯ NAFLD/NASH was frequent among our cohort of overweight children (68.7% and 23.7%). Weight, waist, BM, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, fasting serum Insulinemia and HOMA-IR are independent predictors of liver steatosis in overweight children. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, especially when are associated with elevate values of ALT level, are strong independent risk factors in developing NAFLD/NASH.
-
Glioneuronal tumors (especially gangliogliomas and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors) are an increasingly recognised cause of drug-resistant epilepsy in children. The optimal surgical strategy (lesionectomy vs. extended resection of epileptogenic peritumoral areas) to obtain seizure control has not been fully established. Our aim was to analyze the post-surgical seizure outcome in children with epileptogenic glioneuronal tumors related to lesionectomy. ⋯ Primary aim of the surgery for epileptogenic glioneuronal tumors is to remove the lesion and to obtain a complete seizure control. However, if a complete tumor resection cannot be carried out, a subtotal removal of the lesion can equally provide satisfactory results.