BackgroundRespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most important cause of severe respiratory infections in infants with seasonal epidemics. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, air pollution) could influence RSV epidemics through their effects on virus activity and diffusion.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study on a paediatric population who referred to our Paediatric Emergency Unit in order to analyze the correlation between weekly incidence of RSV positive cases during winter season in Bologna and meteorological factors and air pollutants concentration.ResultsWe observed a significant correlation between the incidence of RSV infections and the mean minimum temperature registered during the same week and the previous weeks.The weekly number of RSV positive cases was also correlated to the mean PM10 concentration of the week before.ConclusionsRSV epidemic trend in Bologna (Italy) is related to the mean minimum temperature, and the mean PM10 concentration.

Generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is a rare condition characterized by arterial calcification within the internal elastic lamina associated with intimal proliferation, leading to stenosis of great and medium-sized vessels. This disease, caused by mutations in multiple exons of ENPP1, frequently results in death in infancy. Nowadays, the most promising therapeutic compounds for this rare disease are bisphosphonates. We describe a case of GACI associated with the novel mutation c.653A>T (p.D218V) in ENPP1 on both alleles. The male infant was delivered prematurely and developed heart failure, severe hypertension, and diffuse calcifications of all arterial districts. He was treated with etidronate (18 mg/kg/day); however, the clinical condition did not improve, and a resolution of calcifications was not observed. The infant died within the 6th month of life of ischemic heart failure. We conclude that even if the diagnosis of GACI is established early and bisphosphonate treatment is started early, the prognosis can be very poor.

Preterm infants are exposed to conditions that can impair renal function. We evaluated the ability of serum and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (sNGAL and uNGAL) to predict renal function in the first weeks of life. From September 2008 to July 2009, infants weighing Յ1500 g at birth with no major congenital anomalies or sepsis were eligible. We measured sNGAL and uNGAL levels at birth. To evaluate renal function, we determined changes in serum creatinine (sCreat) and estimated GFR (eGFR) from birth to d 21. Forty neonates (mean GA, 27 Ϯ 2 wk) completed the study. Renal function improved in 32 of 40 (80%) infants (normal renal function, NRF group) (sCreat, from 0.97 Ϯ 0.2 to 0.53 Ϯ 0.13 mg/dL; eGFR, from 15.3 Ϯ 4.1 to 28.6 Ϯ 7.9 mL/min), whereas renal function worsened in 8 of 40 (20%) infants (impaired renal function, IRF group) (sCreat, from 0.71 Ϯ 0.27 to 0.98 Ϯ 0.43 mg/dL; eGFR from 23 Ϯ 14.7 to 16.4 Ϯ 9.1 mL/min). The uNGAL/urinary creatinine (uCreat) ratio at birth was higher in the IRF group (31.05 ng/mg) than the NRF group (6.0 ng/mg), and uNGAL was significantly higher in IRF group, detecting IRF with a cutoff of 100 ng/mL. uNGAL levels at birth may have a predictive role in very LBW (VLBW) infants.

BackgroundSurfactant treatment reduces respiratory morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Data on its haemodynamic consequences are conflicting. The aim was to characterise the haemodynamic effects of surfactant treatment on cardiac function in preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).MethodsPreterm infants (gestational age <34 weeks, birth weight <2000 g) with RDS, who received surfactant within 72 hours of life, were recruited.Echocardiography was performed before surfactant, and 2 and 24 hours after. Left and right ventricular peak systolic, early diastolic and late diastolic myocardial velocities were measured using Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI), while characteristics of the ductus arteriosus, pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricular (RVO) and left ventricular output were measured by standard echocardiography. Tricuspidal Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) was measured on the free wall of the tricuspid annulus.ResultsFourteen patients were studied. Surfactant was associated with a decrease in pulmonary pressure and an increase in RVO. The improvement of right ventricular function was also confirmed by a significant increase in right peak systolic velocity and in TAPSE. Left ventricular velocities did not change significantly after surfactant.ConclusionsSurfactant administration in preterm infants with RDS did not impair myocardial contractility and was followed by increased RVO, in agreement with other parameters of right ventricular function. TDI and TAPSE appeared to be reliable and feasible in this population. The addition of TDI and TAPSE to standard neonatal echocardiography may provide additional information about cardiac function.