Anthropometric parameters as a tool for the prediction of metabolic and cardiovascular risk in childhood brain tumor survivors.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of alterations in anthropometric parameters predictive of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk among childhood brain tumor survivors.

Methods: Anthropometric parameters predictive of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk were analyzed [height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-height ratio (WHtR), waist-hip ratio (WHR, blood pressure] of 25 patients who survived childhood brain tumors.

Results: 21 patients (84%) showed alteration of at least one predictive anthropometric parameter.

Aminoglycosides-Related Ototoxicity: Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Prevention in Pediatric Patients.

Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibiotics largely used in children, but they have potential toxic side effects, including ototoxicity. Ototoxicity from aminoglycosides is permanent and is a consequence of its action on the inner ear cells via multiple mechanisms. Both uncontrollable risk factors and controllable risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside-related ototoxicity and, because of the irreversibility of ototoxicity, an important undertaking for preventing ototoxicity includes antibiotic stewardship to limit the use of aminoglycosides.

Early and Long-Term Ototoxicity Noted in Children Due to Platinum Compounds: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Background: Platinum compounds are a group of fundamental chemotherapeutics used in the treatment of solid tumors, but they are burdened by side effects, such as ototoxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of ototoxicity caused by platinum compounds and the risk factors affecting its appearance/progression.

Methods: Data from 53 patients who received platinum compounds and who had been off therapy for at least 5 years were analyzed.

Transplacental Passage and Fetal Effects of Antineoplastic Treatment during Pregnancy.

The incidence of PAC is relatively infrequent among pregnant women. However, it has gradually increased in recent years, becoming a challenging area for clinicians that should take into account in the same way maternal benefits and fetal potential risks correlated to the antineoplastic treatment. None of the antineoplastic drugs is completely risk-free during the pregnancy, the timing of exposure and transplacental transfer properties influence the toxicity of the fetus.

Biomarkers Predictive of Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease in Childhood Cancer Survivors.

The improvement in childhood cancer treatments resulted in a marked improvement in the survival of pediatric cancer patients. However, as survival increased, it was also possible to observe the long-term side effects of cancer therapies. Among these, metabolic syndrome is one of the most frequent long-term side effects, and causes high mortality and morbidity.

Mechanisms, Characteristics, and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain and Peripheral Neuropathy Associated with Dinutuximab in Neuroblastoma Patients.

Prognosis of metastatic neuroblastoma is very poor. Its treatment includes induction chemotherapy, surgery, high-dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and maintenance with retinoic acid, associated with the anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody (ch14.18) dinutuximab.

Utility of a pediatric observation unit for the management of children admitted to the emergency department.

Background: Observation Units (OU), as part of emergency department (ED), are areas reserved for short-term treatment or observation of patients with selected diagnoses to determine the need for hospitalization or home referral.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed similarities and differences of children admitted to the pediatric ED of the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS hospital in the first 2 years of OU activity, analyzing general patient characteristics, access modalities, diagnosis, triage, laboratory and instrumental examinations, specialist visits, outcome of OU admission and average time spent in OU.

Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome: Proposals for New Definitions.

Acute food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE-mediated allergy and is characterized by repetitive profuse vomiting episodes, often in association with pallor, lethargy, and diarrhea, presenting within 1-4 h from the ingestion of a triggering food. In 2017, the international consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of FPIES were published. They cover all aspects of this syndrome, which in recent decades has attracted the attention of pediatric allergists.