Objective and designRisk factors for severe measles are poorly investigated in high-income countries. The Italian Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases conducted a retrospective study in children hospitalised for measles from January 2016 to August 2017 to investigate the risk factors for severe outcome defined by the presence of long-lasting sequelae, need of intensive care or death.ResultsNineteen hospitals enrolled 249 children (median age 14.5 months): 207 (83%) children developed a complication and 3 (1%) died. Neutropaenia was more commonly reported in children with B3-genotype compared with other genotypes (29.5% vs 7.7%, p=0.01). Pancreatitis (adjusted OR [aOR] 9.19, p=0.01) and encephalitis (aOR 7.02, p=0.04) were related to severe outcome in multivariable analysis, as well as C reactive protein (CRP) (aOR 1.1, p=0.028), the increase of which predicted severe outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.67, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.82). CRP values >2 mg/dL were related to higher risk of complications (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.7, p=0.01) or severe outcome (OR 4.13, 95% CI 1.43 to 11.8, p<0.01).ConclusionThe risk of severe outcome in measles is independent of age and underlying conditions, but is related to the development of organ complications and may be predicted by CRP value.

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The resurgence of syphilis and subsequent risk for newborns has been described worldwide; however, European data on this congenital infection is lacking. We report the activity of a multidisciplinary specialized unit assisting a large area in the Southern Italy. A retrospective cohort study has been conducted at the Perinatal and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Units of the Federico II University of Naples, enrolling all newborns and children referred from January 2010 to June 2022 exposed to Treponema pallidum in utero and/or congenitally infected. A total of 323 patients were included in the analysis. Twenty (6.2%) received a diagnosis of confirmed congenital syphilis (CS) and one died. Fifteen CS cases had typical clinical features. Since 2017, the number of referred neonates tripled while the rate of late maternal diagnoses did not significantly differ. When compared with mothers of exposed infants, mothers of CS cases were younger (25 ± 7.2 vs 29.9 ± 6 years, p = 0.041), had less previous pregnancies (0.64 vs 1.11, p = 0.044), and received a diagnosis of syphilis at a later stage of pregnancy (86% vs 20%, from third trimester or later on; p < 0.001). Appropriate maternal therapy was protective against vertical transmission (− 1.2; − 1.4, − 1 95% CI; p < 0.001). Paternal syphilis status was known in 36% of cases.Conclusion: CS has still a significant impact. Prevention should be implemented towards specific maternal risk profiles. A specialized unit is the preferable model to improve surveillance and healthcare for this neglected population. What is Known:• The resurgence of syphilis and subsequent risk for newborns has been described worldwide.• European data on this congenital infection is lacking. What is New:• Congenital syphilis has a significant impact still in Europe and prevention should be implemented towards specific maternal risk profiles. • A specialized unit is the preferable model to improve surveillance and healthcare for this neglected population.

The funding source had no role in the study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, writing the report or the decision to submit the article for publication. L.V.A. and G.A. have full access to all the data in the study and have final responsibility for the decision to submit it for publication.

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