Assessing the efficacy of HME filters at preventing contamination of breathing systems

Breathing system filters are intended to prevent cross-infection during anaesthesia. However, there is a lack of information on whether filters prevent contamination of the breathing system by the patient. We measured the contamination of 235 used filters of four different types obtained from operating theatres: two pleated hydrophobic (BB25M and BB22/15M, Pall Medical, Portsmouth, UK) used for adult patients and two electrostatic (355/5430 Hygroboy and 355/5427 Hygrobaby, Tyco Healthcare, Gosport, UK) used for paediatric patients. The filters were swabbed over their internal surfaces on both the patient and the machine sides and these were assessed with the use of adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence. Contamination was present on the machine side of 20 (9%) filters. Current standards for testing of filters has no set "pass" level and is performed in the laboratory setting. Bioluminescence may be used in the clinical setting to elucidate factors that might increase the chance of cross-contamination between patients

Analisi dei geni dell’asse melanocortinico in bambini con obesità ad esordio precoce: risultati preliminari di uno studio multicentrico

none11noneE.Miraglia Del Giudice; G.Cirillo; G.Morino; L.Iughetti; A.Vottero; A.Salvatoni; M.Di Pietro; E.Modestini; A.Balsamo; M.Gennari; L.Perrone.E.Miraglia Del Giudice; G.Cirillo; G.Morino; L.Iughetti; A.Vottero; A.Salvatoni; M.Di Pietro; E.Modestini; A.Balsamo; M.Gennari; L.Perrone

Assesment of serum IGF-I concentrations in the diagnosis of isolated childhood-onset GH deficiency: A proposal of the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (SIEDP/ISPED)

The diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) is based on the measurement of peak GH responses to pharmacological stimuli. Pharmacological stimuli, however, lack precision, accuracy, are not reproducible, are invasive, non-physiological and some may even be hazardous. Furthermore, different GH commercial assays used to measure GH in serum yield results that may differ considerably. In contrast to GH, IGF-I can be measured on a single, randomly-obtained blood sample. A review of the available data indicates that IGF-I measurement in the diagnosis of childhood-onset isolated GHD has a specificity of up to 100%, with a sensitivity ranging from about 70 to 90%. We suggest an algorithm in which circulating levels of IGF-I together with the evaluation of auxological data, such as growth rate and growth, may be used to assess the likelihood of GHD in pre-pubertal children

Treatment of childhood obesity

This article provides current guidelines on the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. Since factors involved in obesity change with age, the therapeutic approach in pre-school children will be different from pupils and adolescents. The treatment will also be modulated on the basis of weight excess, weight gain velocity and complications. The main goal of the treatment should be to encourage the child and his family to have healthy lifestyle. Families who are not ready for change might benefit from counselling to improve motivation before starting treatment. A detailed alimentary and behavioural history is the start point of the treatment. The strategy of the intervention is to induce changes at three levels: 1) attitudes of parents; 2) physical activity; 3) energy intake. The treatment of the adolescents should take into account the pubertal changes and the psychological aspects of this peculiar period of life. Obesity is a chronic disease and its treatment needs long-life follow-up. The long-term results of the obesity treatment are often disappointing and we have to consider consistent prevention programs for better results

Treatment of childhood obesity [Obesità in età pediatrica: Trattamento]

This article provides current guidelines on the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. Since factors involved in obesity change with age, the therapeutic approach in pre-school children will be different from pupils and adolescents. The treatment will also be modulated on the basis of weight excess, weight gain velocity and complications. The main goal of the treatment should be to encourage the child and his family to have healthy lifestyle. Families who are not ready for change might benefit from counselling to improve motivation before starting treatment. A detailed alimentary and behavioural history is the start point of the treatment. The strategy of the intervention is to induce changes at three levels: 1) attitudes of parents; 2) physical activity; 3) energy intake. The treatment of the adolescents should take into account the pubertal changes and the psychological aspects of this peculiar period of life. Obesity is a chronic disease and its treatment needs long-life follow-up. The long-term results of the obesity treatment are often disappointing and we have to consider consistent prevention programs for better results