Adherence to recommendations for cervical and breast cancer screening in systemic sclerosis.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the adherence of systemic sclerosis (SSc) female patients to cervix and breast cancer screening procedures, as suggested by local guidelines. A cohort of 84 SSc women was asked if they had undergone mammography and Pap test during the previous 2- and 3-year intervals, as indicated according to the Italian recommendations. The results were compared with those collected in patients affected by other chronic rheumatic disorders and in the general population.

Characterisation of complex chromosome 18p rearrangements in two syndromic patients with immunological deficits.

There have been reports that a number of patients with a chromosome 18pter deletion have developed autoimmune disorders, including juvenile diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis and Graves' disease, and/or show little or no reduction in serum IgA levels. We describe two female patients bearing complex rearrangements involving chromosome 18p. Array-CGH and BAC FISH molecular cytogenetic analyses enabled the precise identification of the affected 18p region.

Normal neuropsychological development in children with congenital complete heart block who may or may not be exposed to high-dose dexamethasone in utero.

Background: Antenatal and postnatal treatment with dexamethasone (DEX) may negatively affect the neuropsychological development in children. Maternal anti-Ro/Sjögren's syndrome A (SSA) antibodies may also be associated with learning disabilities in offspring.

Objective: To assess neuropsychological development in babies exposed to very high dosages of DEX in utero, whose mothers were anti-Ro/SSA positive.

[Changes in the consciousness state as a symptom of intestinal invagination onset].

Intussusception is the most frequent cause of intestinal occlusion in children aged 3-5 years. Diagnosis is easy to perform in cases with typical clinical presentation. However diagnosis may be difficult in rare cases with atypical symptoms characterized by SNC involvement, that could delay a convenient treatment.

[Abdominal migraine simulating acute abdomen].

Migraine is a variant of headache often associated with neurologic and/or vegetative symptoms mainly represented by abdominal pain. This symptom may occur some hours before migraine manifestation and in these cases the differential diagnosis with other clinical conditions characterized by abdominal pain, which is very common during childhood, may be difficult. Abdominal migraine can be diagnosed only if a close relationship is demonstrated between the abdominal symptoms and migraine.