The role of cerebral oxygenation in pediatric lower respiratory tract infections based on insights from time domain near infrared spectroscopy tissue oximetry.

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations worldwide. This study examines cerebral oxygenation (StO) in children with LRTIs using Time-Domain Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) device (PIONIRS S.r.

Correction: Berardo et al. Expanded Newborn Screening in Italy: The First Report of Lombardy Region. 2025, , 31.

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Improving cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents with obesity: a comparison between in-person and virtual supervised training.

Objectives: Remote physical activity programs have emerged as a promising strategy to improve adherence to exercise guidelines, specifically among pediatric patients with obesity. This study investigated the effectiveness of in-person vs. virtual supervised training in improving cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents with obesity.

Assessing the harmonization of current total vitamin B12 measurement methods: relevance and implications.

Objectives: The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended thresholds for total vitamin B12 (B12) assays with interchangeable results for identifying B12 deficiency. We assessed the agreement between B12 methods, to evaluate whether the thresholds may be assumed applicable to all assays.

Methods: A total of 19 External Quality Assessment (EQA) exercises (1791 determinations) based on human subjects-pool materials and 97 serum samples were retrieved to characterize the agreement between Alinity and Architect (Abbott Diagnostics), Access DXi (Beckman Coulter Diagnostics), Atellica and ADVIA Centaur (Siemens Healthcare Solution) compared to Cobas (Roche Diagnostics), considered as comparator because its calibrator traceability to the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Standard (IS) code 03/178.

Targeting of the IGFBP3/TMEM219 pathway restores intestinal stem cells capability of healing mucosa in gastrointestinal autoimmune disorders.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) signals through the death receptor TMEM219 to modulate survival of target cells; inhibition of this signaling has been associated with a rescue of intestinal stem cell death. Here we report the screening, generation, and characterization of fully human IgG monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) through phage display or by hybridoma technology, that block IGFBP3 or TMEM219. Both anti-IGFBP3 and anti-TMEM219 mAbs showed high affinity binding with the target antigens and potent effects in protecting self-renewal ability of intestinal stem cells in in vitro relevant assays.

Active home surveillance system (COD19) in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: lessons and future perspectives from the COVID-19 pandemic experience.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine became crucial for monitoring chronic conditions, including respiratory diseases.

Objectives: This study, part of a larger cohort of COVID-positive patients, focuses on individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) monitored through an active home surveillance system (COD19).

Design: Longitudinal telematic active surveillance study.

Enterobacterales gut colonization and late-onset sepsis in neonates: a multicentre prospective study across 18 neonatal intensive care units in six countries.

Objectives: Gram-negative bacteria cause a significant proportion of neonatal late-onset sepsis (LOS) and are associated with high mortality. Emerging evidence implicates the gut as a reservoir for invasive pathogens; however, the mechanisms of gut-to-blood translocation and the role of virulence factors remain unclear.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of microbiological samples from the NeoMero-1 trial, a multicentre study of neonatal LOS.

Exploratory study of the effect of DHA supplementation on blood fatty acids and inflammatory markers in children with MIS-C.

Background And Aims: Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 may develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) 4-6 weeks after exposure. MIS-C is characterized by elevated markers of inflammation and low blood values of linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during acute phase. The aim of this pilot exploratory study was to assess the short-term beneficial impact on the blood fatty acid profile following DHA supplementation in children who have suffered from MIS-C.

Thyroid Health and Selenium: The Critical Role of Adequate Intake from Fetal Development to Adolescence.

The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and supporting development through the production of the hormones T4 and T3. These hormones are essential during childhood for nervous system myelination, physical growth, puberty, skeletal and dental maturation, and overall metabolic balance. In early infancy, when the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis is still immature, thyroid dysfunction can result in a range of long-term complications.

Exploring the link between metabolic syndrome risk and physical fitness in children with obesity: a cross-sectional study.

Unlabelled: Given the growing relevance of physical fitness for cardiometabolic health in children with obesity and the rising prevalence of MetS, this study aimed to explore the relationship between physical fitness and MetS. Specifically, the goal was to assess the relationship between physical fitness and the severity of MetS, as measured by the MetS risk score, and to evaluate the importance of each dimension as a potential indicator of metabolic health in the pediatric population. We consecutively recruited a total of 62 children and adolescents (aged 7-17 years) with obesity (BMI z-score > 2SD).

Beyond sport to combat childhood obesity: educating, engaging, and preventing through an integrated school-based campaign grounded in the values of Olympism.

Introduction: Promoting sports in schools is a key strategy to address childhood obesity and raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity. The "Trofei di Milano Cortina 2026" initiative, in collaboration with Buzzi Children's Hospital in Milan, launched a comprehensive school-based campaign to promote Olympism and healthy lifestyles.

Methods: The initiative involved 350 schools across primary and lower secondary levels, offering free educational and sports activities in two phases: a year-long educational component followed by a final sports event.

Educational cartoon as an edutainment strategy to combat pediatric obesity: an innovative proposal from the PODiaCar Project.

Pediatric obesity is an escalating global health concern with profound physical and psychological impacts, both in the short and long term. The EU-funded initiative, "Fight against Pediatric Obesity: from a Predictive Tool for Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk to Healthy Educational Programs" (PODiaCar), seeks to address childhood obesity through a comprehensive, multidimensional strategy. A key component is a cartoon titled Grandma Wilma's Tales, created to promote healthy lifestyles among young children and their families.

Beyond newborn screening: the role of reverse cascade testing in familial disease detection.

Over the past 60 years, preventative public health screening programs have evolved since their inception and now include newborn screening (NBS) aimed at identifying infants after birth for a number of rare, congenital, inherited diseases. Most of the conditions detected through NBS are autosomal recessive disorders or exhibit X-linked inheritance, meaning that family members of individuals with these conditions have a higher risk for being either affected or obligate heterozygotes. For example, the X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) in the screening panel identifies affected newborns and asymptomatic relatives through subsequent testing.

Use of Nutritional Strategies, Bioactive Compounds, and Dietary Supplements in Young Athletes: From Evidence to Potential Risks-A Narrative Review.

Young athletes face unique nutritional challenges due to their simultaneous engagement in intensive physical training and ongoing growth and development. Standard adult-based dietary recommendations often fail to meet the specific needs of this population. While the role of macronutrients and micronutrients is well recognized, increasing attention is being paid to bioactive compounds-non-essential food-derived elements with potential health benefits.

Accuracy of heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation, and blood pressure using a non-contact photoplethysmography-based mobile application: A potential tool for wellness monitoring.

Background: Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an effective non-contact technique for measuring vital signs. This report aims to evaluate whether a non-contact PPG-based mobile application supports an appropriate level of accuracy in monitoring SpO, HR, and BP, compared against clinically approved medical devices.

Methods: Adult volunteers (≥18 years, both male and female) were consecutively enrolled from September to November 2024.

Dietary pattern and nutritional assessment in a cohort of mothers identified by neonatal screening for cobalamin deficiency in offspring: an Italian single center experience.

During pregnancy, nutrient requirements increase while deficiencies can significantly affect pregnancy outcomes. Deficiencies may result from inadequate dietary intake, impaired absorption, or restrictive diets. This study aimed to retrospectively assess the nutritional status and dietary intakes in a cohort of mothers whose newborns were identified with vitamin B12 deficiency of maternal origin through Newborn Screening.

Case Report: Usefulness, effectiveness, and safety of an advanced hybrid closed-loop system in a child with early identification of type 1 diabetes.

The usefulness, effectiveness, and safety of advanced hybrid closed-loop systems (AHCLs) in early-stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D) are unknown. We report 9 months of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) outcomes in a patient with early-stage 3 T1D treated with the Tandem t:slim Control-IQ system. A 13-year-old girl, affected by celiac disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, was diagnosed with T1D without symptoms (fasting c-peptide: 1.

The Role of miRNA Expression in Congenital Heart Disease: Insights into the Mechanisms and Biomarker Potential.

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are among the most common congenital malformations. Despite significant advancements in understanding the embryonic development of the heart, the etiology of CHDs remains largely unknown. The complexity of the processes involved in heart formation limits our ability to identify all molecular mechanisms underlying CHDs.

Expanded Newborn Screening in Italy: The First Report of Lombardy Region.

Background: Newborn screening (NBS) is a preventive healthcare program aiming at identifying the inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) in asymptomatic infants to reduce the risk of severe complications. The aim of this study was to report the first years (2016-2020) of the expanded NBS program in the Lombardy region, Italy.

Methods: Dried blood spots were collected from newborns' heels at 48-72 h after birth.

TMEM219 signaling promotes intestinal stem cell death and exacerbates colitis.

Mechanisms by which mucosal regeneration is abrogated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are still under investigation, and a role for an intestinal stem cell (ISC) defect is now emerging. Herein, we report an abnormal ISC death that occurs in Crohn's disease, which exacerbates colitis, limits ISC-dependent mucosal repair, and is controlled through the death factor Transmembrane protein 219 (TMEM219). Large alterations in TMEM219 expression were observed in patients with Crohn's disease, particularly in those with active disease and/or those who were nonresponders to conventional therapy, confirming that TMEM219 signaling is abnormally activated and leads to failure of the mucosal regenerative response.

Dynamics of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated to COVID-19: steady severity despite declining cases and new SARS-CoV-2 variants-a single-center cohort study.

Unlabelled: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a serious condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and the occurrence and severity of MIS-C is unknown. We analyzed the dynamics of MIS-C in the Milan metropolitan area (Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the epidemiologic trends and disease severity in relation to different VOCs in a single-center study.

Vital Sign and Biochemical Data Collection Using Non-contact Photoplethysmography and the Comestai Mobile Health App: Protocol for an Observational Study.

Background: Early detection of vital sign changes is key to recognizing patient deterioration promptly, enabling timely interventions and potentially preventing adverse outcomes.

Objective: In this study, vital parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure) will be measured using the Comestai app to confirm the accuracy of photoplethysmography methods compared to standard clinical practice devices, analyzing a large and diverse population. In addition, the app will facilitate big data collection to enhance the algorithm's performance in measuring hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, and total cholesterol.

Potential coeliac disease in children: a single-center experience.

Objectives: Potential coeliac disease (PCD) is defined by the presence of positive CD-specific autoantibodies with a normal/extremely mildly damaged intestinal mucosa. This study sought to examine the progression of PCD in children maintaining a gluten-containing diet and to identify risk factors associated with the onset of CD. A comparative literature review was conducted to assess the results in the context of existing evidence.

Metabolic and Hormonal Changes in Pediatric Burn Patients: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Care Strategies.

Background: Burn injuries constitute a significant global health challenge, especially in pediatric populations, where they are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Pediatric burns require particular attention due to their unique pathophysiology, long-term consequences on growth and development, and psychological impacts.

Methods: We propose a comprehensive review of recent advancements in understanding the key aspects of hormonal and metabolic changes in burned children, aiming to guide therapeutic interventions, improve outcomes, and reduce the global burden of these injuries.