Lipid profiles in a large cohort of Italian children with Down syndrome.

Objectives: Results of epidemiological studies of lipid profiles in individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) in different settings showed discordant results but laboratory norms for this population has been lacking. The aim of our study is to evaluate lipid profiles in a large population of Italian children with DS.

Methods: Lipid profiles of 357 patients with diagnosis of DS were recorded.

Multiple cerebral sinus thromboses complicating meningococcal meningitis: a pediatric case report.

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition in the pediatric population. The clinical presentation is frequently nonspecific; thus diagnosis is often delayed or missed.

Case Presentation: A previously healthy 8 month-old boy was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis.

Vaccine risk assessment in children with a referred reaction to a previous vaccine dose: 2009-2011 retrospective report at the Bambino Gesu' children hospital, Rome, Italy.

Background: During the last century, mass vaccination programs have achieved considerable success across the world in immunizing against several serious infectious diseases. However, vaccinations are threatened by their own success after results have been obtained: the more the incidence of potentially devastating diseases decreases, thanks to the success of vaccination programs, the more public attention shifts towards real or alleged "side effects" of vaccines.

Methods: We analyze the experience of 153 children with "reaction to a previous vaccine dose" continuing the vaccination protocol in the safe environment of the Center for risk vaccination at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS in Rome, from 2009 to 2011.