Statural growth and its relationship with degree of renal insufficiency were studied in 42 children and 5 infants with chronic renal failure (CRF). Most of the children had a congenital disease or were already ill in the neonatal period. Average GFR was 34 ml/min/1.73 m2 at the beginning and 16 ml at the end of the follow-up period, which averaged 4.3 years (1 to 12 years). Most patients grew at a normal rate; only 3 out of 42 children (7%) and 3 out of 5 infants lost one standard deviation or more during the follow-up period. No correlation was found between the degree of GFR and growth velocity. Catch-up growth was observed only for a 12-month period in 4 children with a bone age of 7 to 8 years. In 10 out of 11 children who reached puberty while under observation, a normal pubertal growth spurt was observed. Suitable and comprehensive controls and treatment can arrest growth retardation in the great majority of children with CRF after the first few years of life, regardless of their GFR. Achievement of a normal growth pattern in infants with CRF during the first year(s) of life remains a major unsolved problem.

Background: Recently the use of antibacterial agents to clean and dry the stump of the newborns' umbilical cord (UC) after birth has been abandoned by many neonatal units. Aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of adverse events (AEs), time to UC separation and caregivers' satisfaction among newborns treated with dry cord care versus 70% alcohol after one day from birth in an Italian Hospital. Methods: From June 2014 to September 2014, 100 infants were enrolled for the study. Soon after birth, all the newborns were treated in the same way: their UC was cleansed with 70% alcohol, using a sterile gauze. One day after the birth, in the control group the UC was regularly cleansed with 70% alcohol twice a day, while in the case group, from the first nappy change, dry cord care was performed cleansing the UC with sterile saline solution (NaCl 90%), using a sterile gauze twice a day. In all cases UC was left without any dressing upon it as well. The time to UC separation and any AEs (local and systemic infections, haemorrhage, granuloma formation) were reported by mothers. Carers' perception regarding the two procedures were collected by a questionnaire between 6 and 24 hours after birth, and 1 month later. Results: We found a significant difference in the mean cord separation time between the two groups [dry cord care: 9.1 days (standard deviation (SD)=3.1] versus 70% alcohol: 11.3 days (SD=4.6); p<0.01], while no significant AEs and carers' satisfaction on the procedures resulted. Instead, change of treatment at home was more frequent in dry cord care group (23.9% versus 6.1%; p<0.01). Conclusions: This study confirms that dry cord care is an easy, accepted and safe method of handling the UC in healthy newborn infants born in a high-income hospital setting.

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The study was performed to evaluate the g r d in children with CRF and to see whether g r d velocity is correlated with the degree of CRF or not. Thirty-three children, I0 F, 23 M, aged 6m to ISy, with m < 7 5 ml/m'/1.73m2 and regular assessmnt of

INTRODUZIONELa carie dentale è una malattia multifattoriale alla cui genesi concorrono molti fattori di rischio (11). Lo Streptococcus mutans (SM) è un batterio Gram positivo e anaerobio facoltativo che comunemente si trova nella cavità orale umana (Figura 1). Descritto per la prima volta da Clarke nel 1924, è il principale germe responsabile della patologia cariosa (5, 9). Infatti, lo SM produce un insolubile polisaccaride extracellulare del saccarosio, che svolge un ruolo importante come mediatore dell'adesività dello SM, sia come molecola cementante per altri microrganismi, sia per creare un sito protetto ove il microrganismo può proliferare (6, 9, 10). La sua presenza nella placca batterica non è uguale per tutte le persone ed è strettamente correlata al consumo di zuccheri (9). La sua trasmissione può avvenire nei primi mesi di vita del bambino, attraverso la saliva della madre (2,3,4,8). L'acquisizione precoce di questo microrganismo è associata con la Carie Infantile Precoce (ECC = Early Caries of Childhood) e crea una colonizzazione primaria difficile poi da modificare (1, 7). Nell'ambito di una particolare attenzione alla Described for the first time in 1924 by Clarke, is the main germ responsible for the caries disease (5, 9). In fact, SM produces an insoluble extracellular polysaccharide sucrose which plays an important role as a mediator of the adhesiveness, both as a cementing molecule for other microorganisms, and to create a protected site where the microorganism can proliferate (6, 9, 10). Its presence in the plaque is not equal for all people and is closely related to sugar consumption (9). Its transmission can take place early in the life of the child through the mother's saliva (2,3,4,8).The early acquisition of this organism is associated with Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and then creates a primary colonization which is hardly removed (1, 7). Paying special attention to the health of women and children, this work aimed to decrease the incidence of childhood tooth decay, streamlining preventive efforts in a population at risk. Methods:Since 1999, all women referred to our clinic in the second trimester of pregnancy or during childbirth were offered the opportunity to perform a simple test to measure the presence of SM in saliva and have been given some advice (diet, hygiene, fuoro-prophylaxis, dental visit). The sampling of saliva was performed after chewing one paraffin tablet for about 1 minute. For the microbiological examination the technique of dip-slide test (CTR bacteria, Ivoclar Vivadent) was used; results were classified according to semi-quantitative classes of microorganism concentration. Women were classified positive when bacterial concentration was Ն100000 CFU/ml. Besides a general advice on hygiene and diet, these women were invited to undergo a prophylactic treatment with chlorhexidine, a disinfectant with bactericidal properties against SM. Results: 84% of surveyed women adhered to the screening (29% pregnant women, 55% in the puerperium). In the 12-year study, 2170/7213 (30%)...