[Activity of pediatric acceptance in the Polyclinic of Modena: 1999 to 2003].

The activity of the pediatric emergency ward in 1999-2003 period is described. An increasing number of contacts was recorded. Most of them should be considered improper.

Predictors of intracranial injuries in children after blunt head trauma.

Unlabelled: This study was conducted to determine if clinical features can predict the risk of intracranial injury (ICI) in pediatric closed head trauma. We enrolled 3,806 children under 16 years consecutively referred for acute closed head trauma to the paediatric emergency room of five Italian children's hospitals. Relevant outcomes were death and diagnosis of ICI.

Azithromycin compared with clarithromycin for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis in children.

The treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis with azithromycin (10 mg/kg orally once daily for 3 days) or clarithromycin (7.5 mg/kg orally twice daily for 10 days) was compared in a randomized observer-blind study carried out in 174 children with documented Streptococcus pyogenes infection. The observed cure rate 10 days after the beginning of treatment was 61/63 (96.

[Migrant polyarthritis and EBV infection].

A twelve-years-old boy developed fever, pharyngitis and acute migrant polyarthralgia. An increasing ASO titre was observed, so that rheumatic fever was firstly diagnosed. Finally splenomegaly and positive IgG and IgM against Epstein Barr virus led to the diagnosis of acute EBV infection with polyarthritis.

[Head injuries in the pediatric emergency department: a 5-year experience at the Pediatric Clinic of Modena].

We re-evaluated the cases of 436 children with minor head injury admitted in the paediatric department of Modena University Hospital in the years 1991-1995 in order to revise diagnostic and therapeutic protocols. The external lesions, the presence of loss consciousness, vomiting, vegetative reactions, late complications, skull X ray, TC scan and EEG were considered. Signs and symptoms at admission have been faced with instrumental findings and eventual late complications to evaluate the prognostic significance.

Essential fatty acids: the effects of dietary supplementation among children with recurrent respiratory infections.

The impact of dietary supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFA) on recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) in children was evaluated by means of a randomized cross-over double-blind study. Linoleic acid (596 mg/day) and alpha-linolenic acid [855 mg/day] as a commercial preparation or placebo (olive oil) were administered for two consecutive winter seasons (November to February, T0-T120) to 20 children affected by RRI, aged between 36 and 49 months. Plasma levels of n-3 and n-6 metabolites increased after the administration of EFA.

Acute post-streptococcal polymyalgia: two new cases with a review of the literature.

Unlabelled: Two patients with acute post-streptococcal polymyalgia are described with a review of the seven cases previously reported cases. The common features are sudden onset of muscular pain with fever usually after an acute upper respiratory tract infection. Antistreptolysin O titre and inflammatory indexes are increased and muscle enzymes are normal.

[Rheumatic fever: a retrospective study of a case series of the last 20 years].

The incidence of rheumatic fever in the last twenty years in our ward is reviewed. A substantial decrease is noted; anyway a peak in the years '80-'86 is reported, accordingly literature. Carditis is a frequent manifestation, but its clinical impact is less severe than in the past.

[The multiple exostoses syndrome. 3 cases in one family].

Multiple exostoses syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that affects the enchondral skeleton during growth. The formation of numerous exostoses causes deformities of bones and joints. Degenerative malignant changes are described.

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.

[Contribution of echography in the diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux in children].

56 children, aged between 0-13 month, affected by chronic vomiting were evaluated both with ultrasound and radiological methods, in a double blind study. 22/56 children resulted to be affected by gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) with upper GI series versus 18/56 with ultrasound. Four cases, ultrasound negative and X-ray positive, represented a borderline situation in which a mild gastro-oesophageal reflux is to be considered paraphysiological phenomenon.

[Gastroesophageal reflux in children. A combined radiologic and scintigraphic study].

Thirty-one children examined for gastroesophageal (GE) reflux were studied with both barium meal X-ray and gastroesophageal scintigraphy. The study was performed with a double-blind method. The children with negative findings at both tests were submitted to intraluminal esophageal pH probe test.

[Sympathetic reflex dystrophy. Description of a pediatric case].

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a well known syndrome in adults, but often misdiagnosed in children. We describe a case occurred in a 12 years old girl. Psychological factors played a major role in the mechanism of the disease.

[Hypochromic hyposideremic anemia as the first symptom of gastroesophageal reflux].

In a five months infant is described by authors iron deficiency anaemia as early symptom of gastroesophageal reflux undiagnosed previously. Laboratory evaluation excluded any haematological pathology; thereafter clinical suspicion was confirmed by radiological exams and oesophageal PH-monitoring.

[Agenesis of the gallbladder. Description of 2 cases in 2 siblings].

Gallbladder and cystic duct agenesis is a rare malformation with frequent familial occurrence. We report a case in a girl, diagnosed by nonoperative means, and a second case in her brother, discovered with a screening in the same family, operated with ultrasonography.

[Clinical considerations on cases of pneumonia caused by mycoplasma].

Personal experience of a series of mycoplasma-induced pneumoniae is reported. The importance of early diagnosis for the purpose of speedy target antibiotic therapy is reiterated. Stress is laid on the absence of complications in all patients studied.

[Echographic examination in the screening of hip dysplasia in newborn infants and infants].

Sonography was employed to evaluate the accuracy of congenital hip dysplasia in 1014 cases, using Graf's methodology and classification in neonatal and infant age. Sonography appears useful to detect and monitor this disease. In fact all the acetabular development can be better revealed than by radiography.