Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy in an area with low seroprevalence: is prenatal screening still worthwhile?

Background: The effectiveness of Toxoplasma gondii (Tg) screening during pregnancy in areas with a low prevalence of the infection is debated. We investigate the Tg serological status, the rate of primary infection in a cohort of pregnant women and the rate of congenital toxoplasmosis among their infants during a 3-year period in an urban area with low Tg prevalence.

Methods: Demographic and Tg serological data for all pregnant women delivering from January 2009 to December 2011 were collected.

Group B streptococcus late-onset disease: 2003-2010.

Background: There is insufficient population-based data on group B streptococcus (GBS) late-onset disease (LOD). Risk factors and routes of GBS transmission are poorly understood.

Methods: A prospective, cohort study was conducted to collect incidence data on LOD and evaluate GBS infections over an 8-year period (2003-2010).

Universal antenatal screening for group B streptococcus in Emilia-Romagna.

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of severe infections in newborns. Intrapartum antibiotic chemoprophylaxis (IAP) reduces the rate of early-onset disease. The aim of this study is to determine the degree of clinicians' compliance with the suggested protocol for GBS prevention in Emilia-Romagna (Italy).

Congenital syphilis like many years ago.

This case concerns a premature infant with typical signs of congenital syphilis born to an untreated foreign mother. Syphilis prevalence in pregnant women has been rising in Italy since the beginning of the 21st century, mainly due to immigration. A correct antenatal syphilis screening and consequent adequate therapy of pregnant woman are fundamental to prevent the neonatal infection.

Congenital syphilis in Italy: a multicentre study.

Objective: To study the prevalence of congenital syphilis and its risk factors in Italy.

Study Design: Prospective study from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. Data on mother-child pairs were collected for every syphilis seropositive mother.

Neonatal arterial iliac thrombosis in type-I protein C deficiency: a case report.

A male infant born by caesarean section at 38 weeks of gestational age (B.W. 4055 g; Apgar 9-10), in the first two hours of life his right leg became hypo-vascularized.

Group B Streptococcus early-onset disease in Emilia-romagna: review after introduction of a screening-based approach.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal bacterial infections. Early-onset infections have decreased in recent years but, despite considerable efforts poured into prevention, cases continue to occur.

Objectives: To analyze trends and identify determining factors for the persistence of the GBS infections.

Very low birth weight infants born to cytomegalovirus-seropositive mothers fed with their mother's milk: a prospective study.

Objective: To assess the risk of post-natal cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants fed with their mother's fresh milk.

Study Design: Prospective, observational study of 80 VLBW infants and their 68 mothers. Infants' urine and their own mother's fresh breast milk were tested for CMV by means of culture tests once a week until discharge.

Impact of a standardized hand hygiene program on the incidence of nosocomial infection in very low birth weight infants.

Background: This study examined the effects of a standardized hand hygiene program on the rate of nosocomial infection (NI) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight < 1500 g) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods: We compared the rate of NI in VLBW infants in 2 separate periods. In the first period, staff were encouraged to perform handwashing using a plain fluid detergent (0.

Group B streptococcal infections in a northern region of Italy.

Background: Group B streptococcus is a leading cause of neonatal bacterial infections. Despite adoption of preventive strategies, cases of infection continue to occur and there is concern that widespread antimicrobial prophylaxis might delay rather than prevent disease onset, increasing the rates of late-onset diseases.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and clinical features of early- and late-onset group B streptococcus disease in a northern region of Italy where a screening-based approach had been proposed.

A multicenter, randomized trial of prophylactic fluconazole in preterm neonates.

Background: Invasive candida infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. We performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fluconazole for the prevention of fungal colonization and infection in very-low-birth-weight neonates.

Methods: During a 15-month period, all neonates weighing less than 1500 g at birth from eight tertiary Italian neonatal intensive care units (322 infants) were randomly assigned to receive either fluconazole (at a dose of either 6 mg or 3 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo from birth until day 30 of life (day 45 for neonates weighing <1000 g at birth).

Cranial ultrasound scanning and prediction of outcome in newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Objective: To report the accuracy of ultrasound scanning (US) in predicting neurodevelopmental and sensorineural outcome in patients with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Study Design: Fifty-seven neonates with congenital CMV infection underwent brain US and were observed prospectively for motor skills, developmental quotient, and hearing function.

Results: Abnormal results on US were found in 12 of 57 neonates.