Severe obesity prevalence in 8- to 9-year-old Italian children: a large population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little information is available on severe obesity in childhood. This study estimates the prevalence of severe obesity in 8- to 9-year-old children resident in Italy and its association with gender, age, geographical area and parents' nutritional status and education using the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A nationally representative sample of grade 3 Italian students was measured in 2010 (N=42,431) using standardized instruments and methodology. Severe obesity in children was assessed using definitions provided by the WHO and by the IOTF. Prevalence was estimated within categories of sociodemographic variables and their independent effects were estimated using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of severe obesity in 2010 was 4.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2-4.7) according to the WHO definition and 2.7% (95% CI: 2.5-2.9) with IOTF cutoffs. These values were slightly lower than those observed in 2008. The prevalence was higher in males, in 8-year-old children and in the South. Parental low education and high body mass index were strongly associated with childhood severe obesity. CONCLUSION: According to the definition used, between 30,000 and 50,000 children aged 8-9 years suffer severe obesity in Italy.

[The use of the Bullard laryngoscope]. / L'impiego del laringoscopio di Bullard.

Eighty patients were submitted to orotracheal intubation with adult bullard laryngoscope blade. Use and advantages are described, especially in difficult intubation.

[Anesthesia of the brain stem after a retrobulbar block. Description of 2 cases]. / Anestesia del tronco encefalico in seguito a blocco retrobulbare. Descrizione di due casi.

The Authors report two cases of central nervous system complications after retrobulbar block. These complications have a 0.044% incidence in 4500 subsequent cases of retrobulbar blockade studied from 1981 to 1990. The Authors attribute the respiratory arrest and coma to direct access of the anesthetic to the central nervous system along the subdural space in the optic nerve sheath.