Publications by authors named "Nicole Mussi"
Background: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is common in children with asthma but can be present also in children without asthma, especially athletes. Differential diagnosis includes several conditions such as exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO), cardiac disease, or physical deconditioning. Detailed medical history, clinical examination and specific tests are mandatory to exclude alternative diagnoses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) are broad diagnoses that encompass a range of sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms in children, which can include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tics, anxiety, emotional instability, and cognitive difficulties. Unlike PANDAS, PANS is not strictly linked to group A streptococcal infections but can be triggered by various infectious or environmental factors. Lights and shadows remain upon the management of children with PANS and PANDAS and there is no clear consensus regarding definition, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) commonly affects individuals with asthma, leading to symptoms like coughing and wheezing after physical activity, though its exact mechanisms are still not fully understood.
- To diagnose EIB, healthcare providers must rule out other conditions through a combination of detailed medical history, clinical examination, spirometry, and specific exercise tests, like the treadmill running test for children over 8 years old.
- Treatment strategies include medications, primarily short-acting beta-agonists before exercise and inhaled corticosteroids for more severe cases, along with behavioral approaches such as warming up and maintaining good air quality during exercise.
Article Synopsis
- MOGAD is an uncommon autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system, with various symptoms and MRI results, including a rare subtype known as FLAMES, marked by specific MRI findings and seizures.
- This FLAMES subtype exhibits key features like FLAIR hyperintense cortical lesions, headache, and cerebral spinal fluid pleocytosis, which can sometimes resemble other CNS conditions, making diagnosis challenging.
- A case involving a 4-year-old girl with seizures and optic neuritis highlighted the importance of recognizing FLAMES in pediatrics, showing a positive response to steroid treatment with no further neurological issues for a year.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) is the main manifestation of sleep-disordered breathing in children. Untreated OSA can lead to a variety of complications and adverse consequences mainly due to intermittent hypoxemia. The pathogenesis of OSA is multifactorial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAsthma is the most frequent chronic disease of childhood, affecting up to 20% of children worldwide. The main guidelines on asthma maintenance therapy in pediatrics suggest different approaches and describe different stages of asthma to determine the most appropriate treatment. This project aims to summarize the most recent evidence regarding maintenance therapy for asthma in children and adolescents.
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