Safety and efficacy of galactogogues: substances that induce, maintain and increase breast milk production.

Poor production of breast milk is the most frequent cause of breast lactation failure. Often, physician prescribe medications or other substances to solve this problem. The use of galactogogues should be limited to those situations in which reduced milk production from treatable causes has been excluded. One of the most frequent indication for the use of galactogogues is the diminution of milk production in mothers using indirect lactation, particularly in the case of preterm birth. The objective of this review is to analyze to the literature relating to the principal drugs used as galactogogues (metoclopramide, domperidone, chlorpromazine, sulpiride, oxytocin, growth hormone, thyrotrophin releasing hormone, medroxyprogesterone). Have been also analyzed galactogogues based on herbs and other natural substances (fenugreek, galega and milk thistle). We have evaluated their mechanism of action, transfer to maternal milk, effectiveness and potential side effects for mother and infant, suggested doses for galactogogic effect, and recommendation for breastfeeding.

Incidental finding of idiopathic unilateral adrenal calcification in an 18-month-old child: case report and review of the literature.

The presence of calcified lesions in the adrenal gland requires a careful endocrine, microbiological and radiological evaluation combined with detailed clinical history to confirm its non-evolving nature and avoid unnecessary surgery. We report an 18-month-old male child hospitalized with an incidentally discovered calcification in his right adrenal gland. All biochemical data as well as liver, renal and adrenal function tests were normal. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed that the right adrenal gland was completely occupied by a large calcification, which was put in relationship with an undetected adrenal distress during the neonatal period, as macrosomy and clavicle fracture of the newborn could let us suggest. Our report describes the diagnostic approach to disclose the nature of a suprarenal mass, which is particularly problematic when this is found incidentally. In addition, an extensive review of the medical literature dealing with non-traumatic adrenal calcifications and haemorrhages in children has been carried out.

Maternal and neonatal characteristics of an immigrant population in an Italian hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the maternal and neonatal immigrant population and to compare it with the Italian population in the Agostino Gemelli Hospital (Rome). METHODS: This study was a prospective population-based study. We compared 595 newborns from immigrant mothers with 2413 newborns from Italian mothers. Neonatal characteristics included in this study were sex, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, transfer to pathology units, minor pathologies, and type of breastfeeding at discharge. Maternal characteristics included nationality, age, parity, type of delivery, twin birth, and pathology during the pregnancy. RESULTS: Immigrant newborns comprised 20% of the total births included in the study. No statistically significant differences were found between immigrant and Italian newborns in gestational age, birth weight, or Apgar score. Immigrant newborns were transferred to the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit more frequently than Italian newborns, had a significantly higher incidence of hyperbilirubinemia and a higher rate of exclusive and prevalent breastfeeding at discharge. Immigrant mothers came predominantly from Eastern Europe, were younger and had caesarean sections less frequently than Italian mothers. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in biological and clinical characteristics or in medical practice were found between groups, except for a higher frequency of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and an inclination among immigrant mothers toward breastfeeding.

A severe case of intracranial hemorrhage due to alloimmune thrombocytopenia.

Alloimmune thrombocytopenia (AIT) is an important cause of intrauterine hemorrhagic lesions that result from platelet-antigen incompatibility between mother and foetus. Foetal platelets are destroyed by cross-reactive maternal antibodies that cross the placenta. The most serious complication of AIT is foetal intracranial bleeding that may eventually result in intrauterine death or severe neurological impairments.