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Biomedical subjects

G B Cavazzuti

Publications and source records attributed to G B Cavazzuti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Infantile encephalopathies.

Many cases of drug-resistant infantile epilepsy (West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, severe myoclonic epilepsy, and Rasmussen's encephalitis) were found to respond in some measure to treatments with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), but relapses were common. However, as the side effects of IVIG infusion are insignificant, it is better not to deny treatment of epileptic encephalopathies to patients who have been treated unsuccessfully even with new anti-epileptic drugs.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed2001

Early intracardiac thrombosis in preterm infants and thrombolysis with recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of catheter related thrombosis and to test the efficacy of recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: From January 1995 to December 1998, echocardiography was performed in the first few days of life in 76 very low birthweight (< or = 1500 g) infants out of a total of 147 having an umbilical catheter placed. When intracardiac thrombosis was diagnosed, rt-PA infusion was performed. RESULTS: Four infants (5%) developed an intracardiac thrombosis during the first few days of life. In three of them, rt-PA at a dose of 0.4-0.5 mg/kg in a 20-30 minute bolus led to dissolution of the clot. One patient received a three hour infusion after the bolus, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/h, with resolution of the thrombus. No systemic effects were observed after rt-PA infusion. CONCLUSIONS: Early thrombosis may occur as a complication of umbilical catheterisation in preterm infants; early echocardiographic detection of this disorder allows complete, safe, and rapid lysis with rt-PA.

Catheterization, Peripheral↗
PubMed2000

[Model of integrated hospital project for the management of patients at risk of sudden death syndrome].

Home cardiorespiratory monitoring (HM) is an accepted practice in infants at high risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as those with the following conditions: 1) Siblings of SIDS; 2) Apparent Life Threatening Events (ALTE); 3) Apneas of prematurity. From 1998 the Division of Neanotology of the Policlinico of Modena has followed prospectively infants at high risk for SIDS, in collaboration with the General Health Service. To support the clinical trial 10 apnea monitors were provided by the General Health Service and managed from the Department of Neonatology. During 18 months 24 infants have been followed by HM, and among then 20 were at risk of SIDS (11 female and 9 male): 7 were siblings of SIDS (35%); 10 had previous episodes of ALTE (50%); 3 were born prematurely and had persistent apneas before discharge (15%). The mean period of HM was 5.85 months. None of the infants died for SIDS or had episodes of ALTE that required resuscitation measures. In only one case parents stopped earlier than recommended, but personal interview to parents showed that all the others families gained benefits and reassurance from HM.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

[A case of female pseudohermaphroditism caused by maternal androluteoma].

Female pseudohermaphroditism is a condition characterized by various degree of external genitalia virilization in a patient with female internal genitalia and karyotype (XX). External genitalia is masculinized congenitally when female fetus is exposed to excess androgenic environment. Fetal metabolic abnormalities, like congenital adrenal hyperplasia, are the most common causes of female pseudohermaphroditism, however there is a low incidence of gestational hyperandrogenism caused by maternal pathology. We report a case of female pseudohermaphroditism secondary to a maternal ovarian luteoma of pregnancy producing androgenic hormones. The newborn presented a severe degree of external genitalia virilization with high urogenital sinus (stage Prader V). Moreover we describe the main steps of diagnostic iter that are necessary both to exclude other causes of virilization and to study all anatomical aspects in view of the surgical correction. The operation consists in two phases of action: an early clitorisvulvoplasty according to Passerini-Glazel and a late vaginal pull-through with anterior saggital transanorectal approach (ASTRA).

Disorders of Sex Development↗
PubMed2000

[Neonatal cystic fibrosis: report of 2 cases].

Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-limiting recessive genetic disorder in Caucasian. It is caused by mutations of CFTR gene (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator); at present over 500 mutations are known. Cystic fibrosis as a cause of respiratory distress in the neonate is quite rare. In neonatal period the most important clinical manifestations are meconium ileum and much rarely cholestatic jaundice. We present two cases of cystic fibrosis in newborns. In the first one, we point out the strict association between meconium ileum and cystic fibrosis. The patient underwent a surgical treatment for meconium ileum and the diagnosis was rapidly confirmed by genetic analysis and sweat test. The second one had intestinal obstruction from birth caused by meconium ileum associated with ileal atresia; besides, he developed cholestatic jaundice, severe and rapidly progressive respiratory disease. He died at 102 degrees day of age for cardiac failure. The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, supported by typical clinical features and high level of serum trypsin, unfortunately wasn't confirmed by genetic analysis (lambda F508/neg), in addition, the sweat test wasn't reliable because an inadequate quantity of sweat was collected.

Cystic Fibrosis↗
PubMed1997

Posture, spontaneous movements, and behavioural state organisation in infants affected by brain malformations.

Posture, quantity of spontaneous movement patterns, quality of general movements (GMs), and behavioural state organisation were studied in nine infants affected by documented brain malformations. A single 1 h video recording of five infants and two or more serial video recordings of another four infants were performed after birth. The graphic representation of single movement patterns (actogram) and of behavioural states of one video recording was performed in eight out of nine infants. The quality of GMs was assessed according to Prechtl's method in all video recordings. All nine infants showed a less variable posture than normal newborn infants and an unusual resting posture was detected in seven infants. Poor behavioural state organisation without sleep cycles was common to the nine infants and excessive wakefulness was observed in six infants. As for the quantity of single movement patterns, six infants lacked one or two movement patterns normally present in healthy newborn infants. An abnormal quality of GMs was noted in all nine infants and distinct motor abnormalities were observed in single infants. A monotonous and sometimes stereotyped sequence of different body parts involved in the movement (i.e. poor repertoire GMs) was common to all infants. In the four infants of whom two or more video recordings were available, initial poor repertoire GMs were followed by a further deterioration in movement quality. No relationship was found between the quantity of defective brain tissue, lack of a specific part of the brain, type and severity of GM and posture abnormalities.

Brain↗
PubMed1996

Multicystic encephalomalacia in term infants.

The terms "multicystic encephalomalacia" and "subcortical leucomalacia" (SCL) are used to describe the presence of areas of necrosis that develop into cystic lesions inside the brain. These lesions are generally due to severe asphyxia and/or hypotension. The designation SCL can also be used to describe the extent and the seat of the lesion in the brain or to distinguish subcortical lesions from periventricular and/or combined ones. In this study we give an account of our experience with eight newborns admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit, who presented clinical-neurological alterations and encephalomalacic lesions whose presence was documented by ultrasonography.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed1996

A study of childhood febrile convulsions with particular reference to HHV-6 infection: pathogenic considerations.

Most febrile convulsions (FC) in infants occur during a viral infection, particularly in children of less than 3 years of age; human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has an important pathogenic role. To evaluate the link between this and other viruses and FC, a group of 65 children (mean age 18.46 months, SD +/- 9.19) with a first episode of simple FC (G1) was compared with 24 children (mean age 19.29 months, SD +/- 13.17) with a febrile syndrome but without FC (G2). Virological study showed the following infections: HHV-6 in 23/65 of G1 and in 12/24 of G2, adenoviruses (ADV) in 9/65 of G1 and in 0/24 of G2, syncytial respiratory virus (SRV) in 3/28 of G1 and in 0/2 of G2, HSV-1 in 6/65 of G1 and in 1/24 of G2, cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 2/65 of G1 and in 0/24 of G2 and HHV-7 in 1/42 of G1 and in 1/13 of G2. Children in G1, statistically compared with G2, were significantly more likely to have a family history of FC and circulating granulocytes, while IgM and alpha 2-globulin were less probable. Some cytokines (IL 1 beta, TNF beta and GM-CSF) were found in 24 children in G1 and 12 in G2; no differences were found between the two groups. In the light of our data and of the recent literature, the possibility that the cytokines may act on the nervous system cannot be excluded. Among the HHV-6-infected children, those suffering from convulsions were statistically more likely to have a family history of FC and IgM, while IgA were less likely. In G1, 57 cases were followed up over 2 years: 9 of them had a second episode of FC. Virological diagnosis at the first episode of FC revealed HHV-6 infection in 3 cases, 2 of these being due to viral reactivation. We underline the important role of HHV-6 infection in FC and postulate a relationship between family history and the immunity of the patient; this is confirmed by the loss of statistical significance in the reduction of IgM in G1 compared with G2 with no family history of FC. The reactivation of FC by HHV-6 is a possibility to be borne in mind; an increased number of cases would be needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗
PubMed1995

Neuropaediatrics.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1993

Febrile and afebrile convulsions: a clinical follow-up.

A joint study was performed on 204 children who suffered separate febrile (FS) and afebrile seizures (aFS) within a short space of time to evaluate the risk of subsequent convulsive crises. The data obtained revealed frequent recurrence of seizures and high risk of subsequent convulsive afebrile crises in these children.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1993

Efficacy and tolerability of nimesulide and lysine-acetylsalicylate in the treatment of paediatric acute upper respiratory tract inflammation.

In a single-blind study that recruited 70 children aged 5 to 12 years with acute upper respiratory tract infection and fever (in- or outpatients), the effectiveness and tolerability of nimesulide 50 mg/dose were compared with those of lysine-acetylsalicylate 720 mg/dose (equivalent to 200mg of salicylate). Each agent was administered to 35 children, and both groups were simultaneously treated with antibiotics. General and respiratory symptoms were evaluated daily. Nimesulide treatment was associated with a more rapid and greater antipyretic effect than lysine-acetylsalicylate: 94% of nimesulide recipients and 77% of lysine-acetylsalicylate recipients were considered by physicians to have a good or very good response to therapy (p < 0.05). Furthermore, fewer doses of nimesulide than lysine-acetylsalicylate were required for resolution of fever and associated symptoms (nausea, vomiting, headache). The 2 drugs had similar global efficacy. Tolerability was good or very good in all patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

Psychobehavioral disturbance in epileptic children.

Psychobehavioral disturbances are frequently seen in epileptic children, but they vary in type and degree. This diversity depends on various factors: age at onset, type of epileptic syndrome and EEG pattern, and the drugs used. The early onset of an epileptic process (within the first year of life) has a profound effect on the organization of primary relational processes and on structuring of the ego. The cognitive and behavioral damage that results may become evident after just a few seizures and may persist through time when such damage is not definitive. Epilepsy with onset in childhood may be accompanied by practognosic deficits and impairment of memory, attention and analytical reasoning. These deficits occur much more frequently in the symptomatic forms. In adolescent forms of epilepsy prevalently idiopathic, disturbances of a neurotic type are relatively common. Psychobehavioral disturbances tied to drugs can be noticed mainly with the use of phenobarbital (hyperactivity, longer reaction times), phenytoin (torpor), and politherapy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Isolation of HHV-6-related virus from children affected by infectious syndrome.

Peripheral blood cultures from children showing symptoms of generic infectious disease have been examined for human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6). Two HHV-6-related isolates have been obtained: one from a child for whom a clinical diagnosis of exanthema subitum has been made when a typical rash appeared, and one from a child in whom the infectious symptomatology has maintained the characters of nonspecific syndrome. All the syndrome diagnosed as exanthema subitum resulted as being associated with fresh infection by HHV-6-related virus.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1989

Late febrile convulsions: a clinical follow-up.

A joint study was performed on patients from the Pediatric Clinics of Catania and Modena. Two hundred and twenty-two children who presented with febrile convulsions (FC) after the age of six years (LFC) were followed up in order to evaluate the risk of recurrence and type of convulsions. The overall results showed that 94 patients out of 222 (42.3%) had subsequent fits, both febrile and afebrile. The present study suggests that the risk of subsequent afebrile crises in LFC is higher (15.8%) than observed after "simple" FC (2-3%) and similar to that reported after "complex" FC (13-17%).

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1989

HIV infection in children born to seropositive mothers: a laboratory and clinical follow-up study.

Several serological techniques may be used for the detection of HIV infection, however, in the case of infants, there are no methods that are effective prior to the loss of maternal antibodies. Thus, in such cases, a completed series of serological and virological assay of HIV antibodies should be performed in follow-up studies. Twenty children living in Modena (Italy) were studied since 1985. Seven of these children were of ages ranging from 3 to 10 years. Only one of them was found to be seropositive for HIV. The remaining 13 children were studied from birth. Six had lost maternal antibodies to HIV at a median age of 15.1 months. Four showed decreasing levels of the anti-body by Western blotting. HIV antigen was detected in serum samples from 2 children. The data reported stress the need for longitudinal studies that could lead to reliable methods of diagnosing HIV infections in newborns.

Child↗