[Neonatal group B Streptococcus infection: an integrated approach (of clinical pathologists, gynecologists, midwives, pediatricians-neonatologists) of the functional area of Cuneo (Italy)]. / Infezione neonatale da Streptococco B: un approccio multidisciplinare integrato (di laboratoristi, ginecologi, ostetriche e pediatri-neonatologi) del Quadrante di Cuneo.

The frequency of early-onset neonatal sepsis without prophylaxis is 1-5/1.000 live births. Since year '70 the most frequent causative microorganism is the group B Streptococcus (S. agalactiae, GBS), followed by Escherichia coli. The mortality rate is now reduced to 4% due to the improvement of neonatal intensive care. In the USA, the incidence of GBS early-onset neonatal sepsis has been markedly reduced by the application of the guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This strategy, however, is not effective on occurrence of late-onset neonatal group B streptococcal disease. In Italy, the application of CDC guidelines is not customary, and different, often complex, protocols of obstetrical-neonatological integrated approach are applied. The frequency of infectious risk has made the GBS a paramount problem for the neonatologist, even for the legal responsibility issues resulting from the multiplicity of possible options. To reach the best level of protection of the newborn against early-onset GBS infection, the working group of providers of prenatal, obstetric, and neonatal care of the functional area of Cuneo issued an integrated protocol, in order to perform the GBS screening with the optimal culture method suggested by CDC guidelines in the highest possible number of pregnant women, and to standardize the obstetrical and neonatal management.

Ectrodactyly. A case report.

A case of ectrodactyly characterized by simple absence of the third finger of the right hand is reported. Clinical and genetic aspects are considered.

Primary congenital lymphedema. A case report.

A case of primary congenital lymphedema is reported. Asymmetrical involvement of the low limbs and unremarkable family history for lymphedema (indicating of de novo mutation) was the main findings.

[Trisomy 18 or Edwards' syndrome. A report of 4 clinical cases]. / Trisomia 18 o sindrome di Edwards. Descrizione di quattro casi clinici.

The paper describes four cases of trisomy 18 or Edwards' syndrome observed in the Pediatric Division of SS. Annunziata Hospital, Savigliano (CN) between 1/1/79 and 31/12/88. Following an illustrated description of the cases (3 males and 1 female), the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the syndrome are briefly discussed.

[Down's syndrome caused by robertsonian translocation with cystic hygroma]. / S. Down da traslocazione robertsoniana con igroma cistico.

An echographic examination in a 33 year old woman at the 12th week of pregnancy revealed a foetus with a cystic hygroma of the neck. The amniocentesis was performed at the 14th week and the karyotype analysis showed a trisomy 21 with a translocation 21q21q.

A mathematical model of the optokinetic reflex.

The role of the optokinetic reflex (OKR) is that of cooperating with the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in the task of image stabilization on the retina during head rotations in a stationary visual surround. Since the dynamics of VOR was already well established, it has been possible to make a broad estimation of what the dynamics of OKR should be in order to obtain the performances observed in normal subjects. A mathematical model of OKR has been presented, and the experimental results obtained by Raphan et al. (1977) in the monkey and by Collins et al. (1970) in man were used to validate the model and to obtain a precise estimation of its parameters.