[Neuropeptides and asthma]. / Neuropeptidi ed asma.

Authors underline the neuropeptides function in the arising of the allergic modulation: the relationship between eNANC-iNANC systems, their mediators and the production of cytokines and immunoglobulins. The above demonstrates that the peptidergic system has a primary role in the complex pathogenetic mechanism of the allergic asthma.

[Morris syndrome: clinical contribution]. / Sindrome di Morris: contributo clinico-statistico.

Authors describe the case of newborn babygirl they observed, presenting a strict vaginal ostium with inguinal testicles, also showed on the echography. The karyotype 46xy allowed to define this case as Morris syndrome.

[Antihistaminics in pediatric age]. / Gli antistaminici in età pediatrica.

Histamine determines a variety of physiologic and pathologic responses in different tissues and cells and it is an important chemical mediator on inflammation in allergic disease. Therefore the H1-receptor antagonist are among the most widely used medications in the world. We review here the molecular basis of their action and their clinical pharmacology, efficacy in allergic disorders and adverse reaction with a particular attention in children. We will also underline the different role of first generation H1-receptor, relatively sedating, and the second generation H1-receptor antagonist, relatively non-sedating.

[Erythrohemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. A clinical report of 3 cases]. / Linfoistiocitosi eritroematofagica. Contributo clinico di 3 casi.

Three infants suffering from hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, hyperlipidemia, low fibrinogen levels and fever are reported. Two patients died during the first year of life, the third one received allogenic bone transplantation and survives. Clinical and haematological features are consistent with diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: adverse prognostic significance of delayed diagnosis.

Familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FEL) is a rare disorder of the monocyte-macrophage system, for which an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance has been postulated. It is characterized by a dismal prognosis and is peculiar of early infancy. Three new cases of infants affected by FEL are reported. All three patients were diagnosed about three months after the onset of symptoms, and all three died shortly after diagnosis. The need for early diagnosis and prompt, intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy is emphasized.

[Elevated atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels and normotension in Bartter's syndrome in childhood]. / Elevati livelli di peptide atriale natriuretico (ANP) e normotensione nella sindrome di Bartter dell'infanzia.

The authors describe a case of Bartter's syndrome, a variety of disease in the newborn, and they point out the most specific of the disease symptoms, that is the normal PA in presence of elevated plasma renin activity. So it was necessary to determine the ANP, the values of which, controlled for a period of 18 months, appeared above the normal ones. The authors conclude that this date would better explain the apparently contradictory date of the normotension.

[Prevention of acute hypertensive encephalopathy in the course of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in children: considerations in 31 cases]. / La prevenzione dell'encefalopatia acuta ipertensiva in corso di glomerulonefrite acuta post streptococcica (GNAPS) nel bambino: considerazioni su 31 casi.

The authors analysed 31 cases of an acute hypertensive glomerulonephritis. The antihypertensive efficacy of two medicines: a vasodilator (dihidralazine) and a diuretic (Furosemide) was underlibed an these patients. Their efficacy was evident not only in the stabilization of P.A. around normal values on three days, but also on the disappearance of signs of on hypertensive encephalopathy whereas these ones were present.

Treatment of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP): cooperative Italian study group results.

A cooperative Italian study group on acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) has been designed to evaluate efficacy and safety of no treatment at the onset of the disease and sequential treatment with immunoglobulin and high dose steroid. One hundred thirty-eight patients with AITP entered in the trial. Eleven patients were treated before the end of the waiting period because of bleeding. One hundred twenty-seven (92%) received no treatment for the first 10 days of the disease, 65 patients (51.18%) recovered spontaneously, 62 patients were treated with immunoglobulin, and 52 (83.8%) of them responded positively but only 36 (58.06%) permanently. There was no statistical difference between the results obtained with 400 mg/kg for 5 days versus 200 mg/kg. Twenty-four patients were treated with high doses of steroids, 20 (83.3%) with positive response, and 10 (41.66%) were permanently cured. Four (3.14%) of the patients enrolled in the protocol still had active disease at the end of treatment, and 10 relapsed within 4 months after the end of the treatment.