Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Risk in Children: The Usefulness of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness.

Psoriasis is a skin disorder which mostly affects adults, beginning in childhood in almost one-third of patients. In adults it is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), while this association is still debated at younger age. Our aim was to evaluate the association between psoriasis and metabolic markers and cardiovascular findings in this age group. Twenty consecutive patients previously diagnosed with psoriasis (group A) were enrolled and compared with healthy non- psoriatic age- and sex-matched subjects (group B). The severity of the disease, CV risk factors, including anthropometric data with adiposity and its distribution, blood pressure (BP), laboratory metabolic tests, echocardiography and vascular ultrasound (transcranial echo-Doppler and carotid artery echo-Doppler with carotid intima-media thickness, cIMT) were performed for each subject. Personal history for CV risk, BP, anthropometric data were similar between the two groups, while familiar history for psoriasis was more frequent in group A (p < 0.02). C-IMT was significantly higher in group A compared to B (right, p = 0.001; left, p = 0.002). In addition, c-IMT was positively correlated with disease duration, triglycerides and triglycerides/glucose. Cerebral flow velocities, cardiac measurements, systo-diastolic function, ventricle geometry and mass were normal and comparable between the two groups, and did not correlate with CV risk factors. In childhood psoriasis c-IMT could represent a marker of pre-clinical cardiovascular involvement and contribute to start a personalized management, while cardiac findings seem to be normal in the early stage of disease. Longitudinal studies can clarify the progression of CV involvement in paediatric-onset psoriasis.

Probiotics for Preventing Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants: A Network Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence supports a role of probiotics in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. METHODS: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the role of probiotics in preventing NEC in preterm infants, focusing on the differential effect of type of feeding, was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A random-effects model was used; a subgroup analysis on exclusively human milk (HM)-fed infants vs. infants receiving formula (alone or with HM) was performed. RESULTS: Fifty-one trials were included (10,664 infants, 29 probiotic interventions); 31 studies (19 different probiotic regimens) were suitable for subgroup analysis according to feeding. In the overall analysis, Lactobacillus acidophilus LB revealed the most promising effect for reducing NEC risk (odds ratio (OR), 0.03; 95% credible intervals (CrIs), 0.00-0.21). The subgroup analysis showed that Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12/B94 was associated with a reduced risk of NEC stage ≥2 in both feeding type populations, with a discrepancy in the relative effect size in favour of exclusively HM-fed infants (OR 0.04; 95% CrIs <0.01-0.49 vs. OR 0.32; 95% CrIs 0.10-0.36). CONCLUSIONS: B. lactis Bb-12/B94 could reduce NEC risk with a different size effect according to feeding type. Of note, most probiotic strains are evaluated in few trials and relatively small populations, and outcome data according to feeding type are not available for all RCTs. Further trials are needed to confirm the present findings.

Technical realization of a sensorized neonatal intubation skill trainer for operators' retraining and a pilot study for its validation.

BACKGROUND: In neonatal endotracheal intubation, excessive pressure on soft tissues during laryngoscopy can determine permanent injury. Low-fidelity skill trainers do not give valid feedback about this issue. This study describes the technical realization and validation of an active neonatal intubation skill trainer providing objective feedback. METHODS: We studied expert health professionals' performances in neonatal intubation, underlining chance for procedure retraining. We identified the most critical points in epiglottis and dental arches and fixed commercial force sensors on chosen points on a ©Laerdal Neonatal Intubation Trainer. Our skill trainer was set up as a grade 3 on Cormack and Lehane's scale, i.e. a model of difficult intubation. An associated software provided real time sound feedback if pressure during laryngoscopy exceeded an established threshold. Pressure data were recorded in a database, for subsequent analysis with non-parametric statistical tests. We organized our study in two intubation sessions (5 attempts each one) for everyone of our participants, held 24 h apart. Between the two sessions, a debriefing phase took place. In addition, we gave our participants two interview, one at the beginning and one at the end of the study, to get information about our subjects and to have feedback about our design. RESULTS: We obtained statistical significant differences between consecutive attempts, with evidence of learning trends. Pressure on critical points was significantly lower during the second session (p < 0.0001). Epiglottis' sensor was the most stressed (p < 0.000001). We found a significant correlation between time spent for each attempt and pressures applied to the airways in the two sessions, more significant in the second one (shorter attempts with less pressure, rs = 0.603). CONCLUSIONS: Our skill trainer represents a reliable model of difficult intubation. Our results show its potential to optimize procedures related to the control of trauma risk and to improve personnel retraining.

An active simulator for neonatal intubation: Design, development and assessment.

This study describes the technical realization and the pre-clinical validation of a instrumented neonatal intubation skill trainer able to provide objective feedback for the improvement of clinical competences required for such a delicate procedure. The Laerdal® Neonatal Intubation Trainer was modified by applying pressure sensors on areas that are mainly subject to stress and potential injuries. Punctual Force Sensing Resistors (FSRs) were characterized and fixed on the external side of the airway structure on the dental arches and epiglottis. A custom silicone tongue was designed and developed to integrate a matrix textile sensor for mapping the pressure applied on its whole surface. The assessment of the developed tool was performed by nine clinical experts who were asked to practice three intubation procedures apiece. Median and maximum forces, over threshold events (i.e. 2N for gingival arch sensors and 7N for epiglottis and tongue sensors respectively) and execution time were measured for each trainee. Data analysis from training sessions revealed that the epiglottis is the point mainly stressed during an intubation procedure (maximum value: 16.69N, median value: 3.11N), while the analysis carried out on the pressure distribution on the instrumented tongue provided information on both force values and distribution, according to clinicians' performance. The debriefing phase was used to enhance the clinicians' awareness of applied force and gestures performed, confirming that the present study is an adequate starting point for achieving and optimizing neonatal intubation skills for both residents and expert clinicians.

Catheter and Laryngeal Mask Endotracheal Surfactant Therapy: the CALMEST approach as a novel MIST technique.

PURPOSE: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity among preterm infants. Although the INSURE (INtubation, SURfactant administration, Estubation) technique for surfactant replacement therapy is so far the gold standard method, over the last years new approaches have been studied, i.e. less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) or minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST). Here we propose an originally modified MIST, called CALMEST (Catheter And Laryngeal Mask Endotracheal Surfactant Therapy), using a particular laryngeal mask as a guide for a thin catheter to deliver surfactant directly in the trachea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a preliminary study on a mannequin and a subsequent in vivo pilot trial. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This novel procedure is quick, effective and well tolerated and might represent an improvement in reducing neonatal stress. Ultimately, CALMEST offers an alternative approach that could be extremely useful for medical staff with low expertise in laryngoscopy and intubation.