0000000001223830
AUTHOR
Rita Ortolano
The inconspicuous penis in children
The term 'inconspicuous penis' refers to a group of anatomical abnormalities in which the penis looks smaller than is expected. Micropenis can be defined as 'true micropenis' - which results from a defect in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis - and 'micropenis secondary to congenital anatomical anomalies of the surrounding and overlying structures' - also known as 'concealed penis'. The different forms of concealed penis include webbed penis, congenital megaprepuce and partially hidden penis caused by prepubic adiposity. This disorder can also have iatrogenic causes resulting from adhesions that are secondary to circumcision - this type of concealed penis is known as 'trapped penis'. H…
Predictive Factors of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in Neonatal Age
In the pediatric population, abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a known complication of abdominal wall defect repair. However, there are only few reports on ACS in newborns and only a proposal of critical intra-abdominal pressure value (IAP) in term newborns, absent in preterm newborns. Although the prevalent clinical sign is tense abdominal distension, it may be difficult to distinguish ACS from pathologies that will not require decompression. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors for ACS and therefore morbidity or mortality indicators. We reviewed newborns presenting with tense abdominal distension and end organ failure. Anamnestic, clinical, laboratory, and instrument…
Perinatal management of gastroschisis
Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect, typically located to the right of the umbilical cord, requiring an early surgical treatment shortly after birth. Affected patients can be identified during intrauterine life with US and should be delivered in referral hospitals where a multisciplinary approach can be provided, involving neonatologists, clinical geneticists, surgeons and other specialists. These patients require a complex management in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a long term follow-up after discharge. Exceed the acute neonatal condition, gastroschisis has a good prognosis, if there are no overlapping complications, and it should be differentiated from omphalocele, burden…
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in a level III neonatal intensive care unit: Incidence and risk factors
Objective: To describe epidemiologic features and identify risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Setting: A prospective, cohort study in a university-affiliated NICU with an infection control program including weekly nasal cultures of all neonates. Methods: Demographic, clinical, and microbiologic data were prospectively collected between June 2009 and June 2013. Molecular characterization of MRSA isolates was done by multilocus variable number tandem repeat fingerprinting, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing, and on representative isolates by multilocus sequence typing and s. pa typing. …
Daptomycin for children in clinical practice experience
Data on daptomycin use in the pediatric setting are scanty. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study on 46 children treated with intravenous daptomycin at a mean dosage of 7.0 mg/kg/d, for a median of 14 days. Three children had adverse events possibly related to daptomycin. The drug was overall well tolerated, even with prolonged treatment.