Factors Predicting Readmission to the Emergency Department After a Diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Infection: A Two-year Experience at a Pediatric Tertiary Care Hospital in Italy.

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are among the leading causes of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. The rate of unplanned returns to pediatric ED is an important quality indicator, and it is associated with factors such as age and clinical complexity. This study aims to identify the determinants associated with the risk of return to the ED, for any cause, within 7 days of discharge home with a diagnosis of ARI.

Neurological features of acute poisoning in paediatric patients presenting to the emergency department: a retrospective study.

Introduction: Early recognition of paediatric poisoning is crucial for timely intervention in emergency settings. This study aims to assess the epidemiological and clinical profiles of paediatric patients presenting with neurological features due to acute poisoning.

Methods: Data from children less than 18 years of age admitted to the emergency department of a tertiary paediatric hospital in Rome between 2017 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.

A core curriculum for pediatric lung ultrasound: an expert consensus.

Background: Lung ultrasound is a valuable tool for pediatricians, aiding in diagnosis and procedural safety while reducing radiation exposure. Its application has significantly increased. However, unlike some other medical specialties, structured ultrasound training is not consistently integrated into pediatric residency programs, resulting in variable skill acquisition among national practitioners.

Lifestyle Intervention Improves Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Children with Down Syndrome.

: We evaluated the efficacy of a good lifestyle intervention on the severity of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children with Down syndrome (DS). : This retrospective longitudinal study included 31 children with Down syndrome (DS) who were affected by MASLD and attended nutritional counseling based on a nutritional approach (e.g.

Parvovirus B19 Rebound.

Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is responsible for a wide clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection, through mild disease, up to life-threatening one. Outbreaks are registered every 3-4 years, and a recent international alert for a new outbreak has been released. The experience of B19 virus circulation in a 600-bed tertiary care pediatric hospital in Rome from 2018 to 2024 is reported here.

Strategies to increase influenza vaccination coverage in the Italian pediatric population: a literature review and expert opinion.

Introduction: Vaccination rates in Italian children must be substantially increased to control the transmission of seasonal influenza and mitigate the associated socio-economic burden. This work aimed to describe strategies to improve the effectiveness and reach of pediatric influenza vaccination campaigns in Italy.

Areas Covered: Based on a literature review, influencing factors and potential strategies to enhance vaccination coverage were explored, focusing on settings, logistics, and communication aspects.

Effect of Early Administration of Clarithromycin or Azithromycin on Symptoms of Pertussis in Infants.

A resurgence of pertussis has been observed in several geographic areas in the post-COVID-19 era. Macrolides are the first-choice antibiotics for the treatment of pertussis. Limited data exist on the impact of the early administration of clarithromycin or azithromycin on infants' pertussis symptoms.

Severe Outcomes From Suspected Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Immunocompetent Children: The Need for Timely Recognition.

We reported a cluster of 13 previously healthy children who, over a short time frame, received care at a Level III Pediatric Hospital following emergency department (ED) presentations with severe outcomes from suspected human Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection, and the presence of PVB19 viremia at presentation. Among these patients, we identified seven cases of myocarditis, one case of acute anterior myocardial infarction due to coronary aneurysms secondary to Kawasaki disease, one case of severe anemia with pancytopenia, two cases of encephalitis, one case of septic shock with meningitis, and one case of septic shock with pancreatitis. Four children required ECMO treatment.

An Evaluation of a Syndromic Molecular Panel in Optimising the Microbiological Diagnosis and Antimicrobial Therapy of Suspected Osteoarticular Infections in Paediatric Patients.

Paediatric osteoarticular infections (POAIs) present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Microbiological culture (MC) is typically time-consuming and lacks sensitivity, especially when patients have received antibiotics. The BIOFIRE Joint Infection Panel (BJIP) is a syndromic molecular assay for the direct identification of most pathogens causing POAIs.

Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of 702 Pediatric Cases of Bone and Joint Infections: Definition of Clinical and Biological Features to Discriminate , , and Other Bacterial Infections.

This study aimed to identify key differences between infections and those caused by or other pathogens. Differentiating these infections is crucial due to their nonspecific clinical presentations and overlapping laboratory and radiological findings, particularly when isolates are unavailable. We retrospectively analyzed data from 702 pediatric patients with bone and joint infections from 2010 to 2023 across two hospitals.

Antibiotic treatment of acute and recurrent otitis media in children: an Italian intersociety Consensus.

Acute Otitis Media (AOM) typically affects previously healthy children and can be recurrent. This inter-society consensus aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for the antibiotic therapy of mild, severe and recurrent otitis media in previously healthy children in Italy.A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the most recent/relevant evidence.

A new epidemic wave of Bordetella pertussis in paediatric population: impact and role of co-infections in pertussis disease.

Background: In recent months, Bordetella pertussis has reappeared after maintaining a low rate for many years. Although pertussis is usually characterized by a favorable course, several factors can contribute to the severity of the disease, such as mixed respiratory infections. In this study, we evaluate B.

Predisposing Potential Risk Factors for Severe Anorexia Nervosa in Adolescents.

Background: Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that mainly affects children and adolescents. Most patients present with extreme body dissatisfaction and an obsessive focus on body weight and food. Anorexia nervosa is a complex and multifactorial condition characterised by biological, psychological, and social factors.

Safety of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Administration in Children With Immunodeficiency and/or Comorbidities With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Clinical Report.

Introduction: Despite the generally mild course of COVID-19 in children, immunocompromised patients may experience complications or severe infection. This study reports the clinical outcomes of pediatric patients treated with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (N/R) for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods: We retrospectively reported the data of children with any immunodeficiency with COVID-19 who received N/R treatment between March 2022 and June 2023 at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital.

Integrating Diagnostic Approaches in Infant Bacterial Meningitis Caused by a Non-K1 : A Case Report.

Background: Infant meningitis, particularly caused by , remains a life-threatening condition, especially in premature and low-weight infants. Infections of the central nervous system can be fatal, necessitating prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Acute infections caused by various pathogens, including , often present with similar clinical symptoms.

Helmet Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Acute Bronchiolitis Respiratory Failure in a Pediatric Ward: Is It a Replicable Experience?

(1) Background: Helmet Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (H-CPAP) has primarily been used in intensive care settings to treat moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis in infants. We aim to report on the feasibility of H-CPAP for selected infants with bronchiolitis in a pediatric ward. (2) Methods: A retrospective, observational, consecutive case series was studied of 26 patients who received H-CPAP on the pediatric ward from October 2022 to February 2023, including a description of patient outcomes and costs.

Use of Lung Ultrasound in Cystic Fibrosis: Is It a Valuable Tool?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem disorder characterized by progressive respiratory deterioration, significantly impacting both quality of life and survival. Over the years, lung ultrasound (LUS) has emerged as a promising tool in pediatric respiratory due to its safety profile and ease at the bedside. In the era of highly effective CF modulator therapies and improved life expectancy, the use of non-ionizing radiation techniques could become an integral part of CF management, particularly in the pediatric population.

Multi-modal immune dynamics of pre-COVID-19 Kawasaki Disease following intravenous immunoglobulin.

Despite progress, the molecular mechanisms underlying Kawasaki Disease (KD) and intravenous immunoglobulin's (IVIG) ability to mitigate the inflammatory process remain poorly understood. To characterize this condition, plasma proteomic profiles, flow cytometry, and gene expression of T cell subsets were investigated in longitudinal samples from KD patients and compared with two control groups. Systems-level analysis of samples in the acute phase revealed distinctive inflammatory features of KD, involving mainly Th-1 and Th-17 mediators and unveiled a potential disease severity signature.

Pancreatic Stone Protein in the Diagnosis of Sepsis in Children Admitted to High-Dependency Care: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Blood level of pancreatic stone protein (PSP) is a promising biomarker of sepsis both in adults and children. The aim of our study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of PSP in children with suspected sepsis and to compare diagnostic performance with other sepsis biomarkers approved for clinical use, that is, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Design: Prospective study.

First Evidence of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 UK Clone in Pediatric Invasive Infections in Italy by Molecular Surveillance.

Invasive group A streptococci infections are increasing worldwide, mainly due to the emm1 lineage M1 UK emergence. Although this variant has recently been described in adult Italian patients, its circulation in children has not yet been established. Characterizing by whole genome sequencing 6 invasive group A streptococci strains isolated between 2022 and 2023, we highlighted M1 UK lineage circulation in pediatric patients in Italy.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Emergency Hospitalizations for Acute Respiratory Infections: The Experience of a Paediatric Tertiary Care Hospital in Italy.

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major healthcare issue in children. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic changed the epidemiology of ARIs; the aims of this study are to characterize the epidemiological trend of ARI emergency hospitalizations and virology results and to estimate the association of ARI emergency hospitalizations with respiratory viruses from January 2018 to June 2023.

Methods: This study was carried out in an Italian tertiary care children's hospital (Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital).

Mapping and ranking outcomes for the evaluation of seasonal influenza vaccine efficacy and effectiveness: a delphi study.

Background: Protection provided by seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) may be measured against numerous outcomes, and their heterogeneity may hamper decision-making. The aim of this study was to explore outcomes used for estimation of SIV efficacy/effectiveness (VE) and obtain expert consensus on their importance.

Research Design And Methods: An umbrella review was first conducted to collect and map outcomes considered in systematic reviews of SIV VE.

Pediatric ultrasound practice in Italy: an exploratory survey.

Background: The aim of this exploratory survey is to describe the current state of US (ultrasound) technique across different pediatric settings nationwide.

Methods: A questionnaire was emailed to all members of the Italian Society of Pediatrics, including pediatric residents. The survey was open from December 2021 to March 2022.