Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Rigon

Publications and source records attributed to F Rigon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Does Graves' disease during puberty influence adult bone mineral density?

AIM: To evaluate the bone mineral density at lumbar spine and at femoral neck in a group of young adults in whom Graves' disease developed during childhood and adolescence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 28 patients (5 male, 23 female, age 20.9 +/- 3.3 years) who were 11.8 +/- 2.9 years old at the onset of Graves' disease. They were treated either with methimazole (14 patients) or with methimazole plus l-thyroxine (14 patients). At the time of the investigation, 13 patients were considered cured following antithyroid treatment, 2 were still on antithyroid drugs, 3 were on replacement therapy with l-thyroxine because of hypothyroidism, and 10, treated either surgically or with (131)I, were on replacement therapy. The bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and at the femoral neck, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The spinal bone mineral density SD score was -0.28 +/- 1.02, the femoral neck bone mineral density SD score was 0.36 +/- 1.02, and both were not different from zero (NS). We did not find any correlation between the bone mineral density of the femoral neck and that of the lumbar spine and the clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: Graves' disease, beginning in childhood and adolescence, when appropriately treated, does not affect attainment of peak bone mass.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Thyroid nodules.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2002

Hypothyroidism.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Cardiac performance in Turner's syndrome patients on growth hormone therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate possible cardiac morphofunctional alterations observed in 26 Turner's syndrome (TS) patients on prolonged high-dose growth hormone (GH) therapy. STUDY DESIGN: We examined 26 TS subjects treated with rhGH (1 U/kg/week) for a mean period of 4.9 years (range 1-7.8) and 37 age-, weight- and height-matched healthy girls. Left ventricular volume, mass, systolic function, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance and diastolic function were evaluated by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Heart rate and systolic blood pressure (BP) were higher in TS patients than in controls, while diastolic BP was lower. Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, mass index, M/V ratio and cardiac index did not differ significantly; systemic vascular resistance was slightly decreased. Left ventricular fractional shortening and mean velocity of circumferential shortening were slightly increased while end-systolic meridional stress was decreased in TS. Contractile state was normal in TS. Diastolic function assessment showed a shortening of isovolumetric relaxation and diastolic filling times with an increased atrial contribution and a normal pulmonary venous flow. CONCLUSION: Cardiac morphology in TS patients on GH therapy is similar to controls. The observed changes in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function should be interpreted as an adaptation to the higher heart rate and reduced peripheral vascular resistance induced by GH therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Urinary aquaporin-2 excretion in nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the arginine vasopressin (AVP)-aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) axis in the pathogenesis of nocturnal enuresis. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Twelve children (seven male and five female), aged 11.6+/-4.3 (6.7-15.6) years, suffering from primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and 12 healthy children, matched for sex and age. Enuretic children were further subdivided into responders and non-responders to treatment with 1-desamino-8-d-AVP (DDAVP). METHODS: Serum concentrations of AVP, and plasma and urine osmolality were measured at night (0100, 0400 and 0700 h), together with nocturnal urinary excretion of AQP-2 (2000-0800 h). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary gland was carried out to evaluate the amount of AVP stored in the posthypophysis. RESULTS: Mean AVP serum concentrations were similar in patients and controls. Urinary AQP-2 was also similar in patients and controls, but responders had a significantly lower level of AQP-2 than non-responders (P<0.005). Plasma osmolality was greater in patients than in controls (P<0.001), whereas urinary osmolality was similar in both groups. No difference in the ratio of the signal intensity of the posterior lobe of the hypophysis to that of the pons (AVP content) was found between patients and controls or between responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: A decreased urinary excretion of AQP-2 is associated with, and seems to have a role in, nocturnal enuresis, at least in some children, and this could also explain why only some of them respond to DDAVP treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Flat and cavus foot, indexes of obesity and overweight in a population of primary-school children.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and overweight during the developmental years are related to certain dysmorphisms of the foot, in particular with flat foot. METHODS: The authors evaluated the incidence of this dysmorphism in a population of 243 primary-school pupils, (3rd and 4th class - age range 8-10 years) of ULSS no. 16 in Padua and, at the same time, determined the index of overweight and obesity and the extent and quality of exercise practised. From the anthropometric data collected, it was calculated that the Cole index (ideal ratio between the ideal BMI at the 50 degrees percentile of weight and height as a function of age, sex and real BMI). A photo-podoscopic examination was done in a bipodalic station and the report analysed later on a Polaroid photograph. RESULTS: The incidence of flat foot in the population studied was found to be 16.4%, of which 18.1% were males and 14.6% females. Fifty percent showed slight flat-footedness (1st degree), 28% moderate (2nd degree) and 22% showed very marked flat-footedness (3rd degree). The frequency of obesity and overweight in the same population was found to be 27.3% (Cole index >120). An analysis of the variance showed a significant difference between the Cole Index in subjects with flat feet (121.77+/-19.2) and the rest of the population examined (110.12+/-15.3) (p<.00001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the children suffering from this dysmorphism were also found to be obese or overweight.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Pyridostigmine and metoclopramide do not restore the TSH response to TRH inhibited by L-thyroxine treatment in children with goiter.

To define the role of somatostatin and dopamine in TSH suppression induced by L-thyroxine, 16 children (12 F, 4 M) on suppressive doses of L-thyroxine (3-4 microg/kg/day) for endemic goiter were studied. Firstly a conventional TRH test was performed in all subjects, in order to evaluate TSH, PRL and GH (basal study). A week later a second TRH test was carried out; one hour before the test, however, group A (9 patients) was given 60 mg pyridostigmine bromide po (pyridostigmine study) and group B (7 patients) 10 mg metoclopramide po (metoclopramide study). In the basal study, TSH was suppressed in both groups and levels did not increase following TRH administration, while PRL increased significantly and GH levels remained stable. In the pyridostigmine study, TSH levels did not increase following TRH administration, while PRL and GH levels were both significantly raised. In the metoclopramide study, TSH and GH levels were not raised following TRH administration, while a significantly greater increase of PRL was observed. In conclusion, suppressive doses of L-thyroxine inhibit the TSH response to TRH, while they do not seem to affect GH and PRL secretion. Somatostatin and/or dopamine do not seem to play a significant role in the L-thyroxine-induced TSH suppression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Pamidronate treatment of bone fibrous dysplasia in nine children with McCune-Albright syndrome.

McCune-Albright syndrome is a rare genetic disorder consisting of skin and bone dysplasia and peripheral endocrinopathies. Little data have been collected regarding bisphosphonate treatment of bone fibrous dysplasia in paediatric patients with this syndrome. The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of pamidronate in these patients. Nine patients with moderate to severe forms of bone fibrous dysplasia were treated with pamidronate intravenously (0.5-1 mg/kg/daily for 2-3 d) at 0.5-1-y intervals. Patients were treated over a time period of 0.5-3.5 y. During treatment no spontaneous fracture occurred. Bone pain and gait abnormality due to pain disappeared after 2-3 therapeutic cycles. Cranial asymmetry and limb length discrepancy remained unchanged. Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and urine hydroxyproline values were reduced by the treatment, demonstrating drug activity at the lesional level. The effectiveness of pamidronate was also seen at the non-lesional level through an increase in bone density. Radiographic and scintigraphic evidence of lesion healing was not attained. Pamidronate treatment can ameliorate the course of bone fibrous dysplasia in children and adolescents with McCune-Albright syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Prenatal steroids, cesarean section, and cerebral hemorrhage in newborns with birth weight under 1500 g].

OBJECTIVE: To identify perinatal risk and protective factors for peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) in 214 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHOD: Perinatal risk and protective factors for PIVH were examined by univariate analysis and by multivariate logistic regression analysis that adjusted simultaneously for the effects of year of birth and perinatal characteristics. Because mode of delivery and antenatal use of steroid represent the only factors, among those considered, that could in most cases be controlled by the clinician, we calculated for each of the four combinations the relative risk of PIVH. RESULTS: By univariate analysis, antenatal steroid administration, cesarean section delivery, increasing birth weight and increasing gestational age were protective perinatal factors. By using logistic regression, significant protective factors against PIVH included a complete course of antenatal steroid therapy and increasing gestational age. Intrauterine growth retardation was associated with an increased risk of PIVH. The relative risk of intraventricular hemorrhage for each of the four combination of mode of delivery and antenatal steroid exposure demonstrate that antenatal steroid exposure and cesarean section delivery are most protective with a relative risk of 14% compared with vaginal delivery and no antenatal steroid exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Association of antenatal steroid administration with cesarean section delivery has an important role in lowering the risk of PIVH in VLBW infants.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2000

[Nasal CPAP in newborns with birth weight under 1500 g].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of early nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the pulmonary management of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHOD: Since 1993 in our neonatal intensive care unit we decided to reduce the rate of tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation (IPPV) using more extensively nasal CPAP. By Student's t test and c2 analysis, VLBW infants with gestational age < 32 weeks born in 1988-92 were compared with those born in 1993-97. RESULTS: The 144 enrolled infants were comparable for birth weight and gestational age. There was a difference in the rate of antenatal steroid administration and cesarean section delivery, significantly more used in the second period. In both groups, 93% of the infants required respiratory support. The use of IPPV decreased from 68% in the first period to 30% in the second, conversely the use of CPAP increased from 25 to 63%. With regard to the primary outcome, in the second period the mortality rate and the incidence of pneumothorax were significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS: As the long-term survival of VLBW neonates continues to improve, pulmonary management is increasingly directed at minimizing the invasivity. This study demonstrated that early nasal CPAP may be successfully used in most VLBW infants. Also in the smallest neonates the procedure is safe and effective and may be important in lowering pulmonary morbidity and subsequent mortality.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of clinical-radiological and molecular findings in hypochondroplasia.

Hypochondroplasia is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia characterized by disproportionate short stature. A mutation (N540K) in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene was described in some patients with this condition. The aims of the study were to identify the frequency of the FGFR3 gene mutation, to define the salient clinical and radiological abnormalities of the affected subjects, and to verify the contribution of molecular findings to the clinical and radiological definition of hypochondroplasia. Based on the most common radiological criteria, we selected 18 patients with a phenotype compatible with hypochondroplasia. Height, sitting height, and cranial circumference were measured in all patients. Radiographs of the lumbar spine, left leg, pelvis, and left hand were also obtained. The presence of the N540K mutation was verified by restriction enzyme digestions. Half of our patients carried the N540K mutation. Although similar in phenotype to the patients without the mutation, they showed in addition relative macrocephaly. The association of the unchanged/narrow interpedicular distance with the fibula longer than the tibia was more common in patients with gene mutation. Although we did not find a firm correlation between genotype and phenotype, in our study the N540K mutation was most often associated with disproportionate short stature, macrocephaly, and with radiological findings of unchanged/narrow interpedicular distance and fibula longer than tibia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Hypertensive cardiomegaly caused by an aldosterone-secreting adenoma in a newborn.

A case of primary hyperaldosteronism and cardiomegaly due to a unilateral adrenal adenoma in a newborn is presented. Some peculiarities, most likely in relation to the onset of the disease during fetal life were evident: plasma cortisol was slightly increased before surgery, plasma renin activity was elevated 9 months after surgery and mineralcorticoid receptors remained suppressed 4 months after surgery. Unilateral adrenalectomy reversed both hypertension and cardiomegaly. We speculate that cardiomegaly was related to both hyperaldosteronism and hypertension and that individual factors are involved in the pathogenesis of cardiomegaly in hyperaldosteronism.

Adenoma↗