Vitamin D levels and lipid profile in children and adolescents: a tight correlation.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D is an essential hormone for humans, playing an important role in musculoskeletal and calcium homeostasis. Its deficiency/insufficiency seems to contribute to the development of cardiometabolic diseases in adults: this correlation appears less clear for children and adolescents. The aim of this paper was to review literature data on the relationship between vitamin D and lipid profile alterations in pediatric population. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We carried out a comprehensive research in electronic databases, including MEDLINE and PubMed up to December 2022, for cross-sectional or prospective studies that investigated the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and lipid profile in children and adolescents. At the end of the process, 37 articles were included in this review. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: According to our findings, vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is strongly associated with lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and higher levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol. Data about low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol are inconsistent. The potential role of vitamin D supplements for the prevention of cardiometabolic disease currently remains a speculation. CONCLUSIONS: An increasing number of studies shows how hypovitaminosis D in the pediatric age may play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders and lipid profile alterations. Data regarding the potential role of vitamin D supplements for the prevention of cardiometabolic disease are currently controversial. Further studies are needed to evaluate the causality of this association and to assess the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.

Dietary habits, depression and obesity: an intricate relationship to explore in pediatric preventive strategies.

Obesity and depression represent major health problems due to their high prevalence and morbidity rates. Numerous evidences elucidated the connections between dietary habits and the incidence or severity of depression. This overview aims to investigate the intricate relationship between dietary patterns and depression with the objective of elaborating preventive strategies for childhood obesity. Literature data recognized that there is a link between mood and food choices, with certain foods selected for their impact on the brain's reward centers. This behavior parallels the one observed in substance addiction, suggesting a specific neural mechanism for food addiction that contributes to overeating and obesity. It is important to note the significant correlation between obesity and depression, indicating a shared biological pathway influencing these conditions. Stress substantially affects also eating behaviors, often leading to increased consumption of pleasurable and rewarding foods. This can trigger a cycle of overeating, weight gain, and psychological distress, exacerbating mood disorders and obesity. In addition, consumption of certain types of foods, especially "comfort foods" high in fat and calories, may provide temporary relief from symptoms of depression, but can lead to long-term obesity and further mental health problems. Understanding these complex interactions is critical to developing preventive strategies focusing on dietary, emotional, and environmental factors, thereby reducing the risk of obesity and mood disorders.

Epidemiology and molecular analyses of respiratory syncytial virus in the 2021-2022 season in northern Italy.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection among infants and young children worldwide, with seasonal peaks in January and February. This study aimed to characterize the RSV samples from a pediatric cohort in the 2021-2022 season in Italy. Methods: In total, 104 samples were collected from pediatric patients attending the "Vittore Buzzi" Children's Hospital in Milan, Italy in the 2021-2022 season. RT-PCR and next-generation sequencing were used to discriminate subgroups and obtain whole genomes. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods were used to analyze Italian sequences in the European contest and date Italian clusters. Results: The median age was 78 days, and 76.9% of subjects required hospitalization, with a higher proportion of patients under 3 months of age. An equal proportion of subgroups A (GA2.3.5) and B (GB5.0.5a) was found, with significant differences in length of hospitalization, days of supplemental oxygen treatment, and intravenous hydration duration. Phylogeny highlighted 26 and 37 clusters containing quite the total of Italian sequences for RSV-A and -B, respectively. Clusters presented a tMRCA between December 2011-February 2017 and May 2014-December 2016 for A and B subgroups, respectively. Compared to European sequences, specific mutations were observed in Italian strains. Conclusion: These data confirmed a more severe clinical course of RSV-A, particularly in young children. This study permitted the characterization of recent Italian RSV whole genomes, highlighting the peculiar pattern of mutations that needs to be investigated further and monitored.