QT interval and dispersion in drug-free anorexia nervosa adolescents: a case control study.

Long QT values have been reported in patients with anorexia nervosa of the restricting type (ANr) potentially increasing the risk of fatal arrhythmia, especially if psychotropic drug treatment is required. Nevertheless, the previous studies on this topic are biased by drug exposure, long disease durations, and small sample sizes. This study is aimed at assessing QTc and QTcd values in ANr adolescents with recent onset and drug free, as compared to subjects affected by psychiatric disorders other than ANr. We evaluated QTc and its dispersion (QTcd) in a population of 77 drug-free ANr female adolescents and compared to an equal number of healthy controls (H-CTRL) and pathological controls (P-CTRL, mixed psychiatric disorders). The QT determination was performed on a standard simultaneous 12-lead ECG in blind by a single experienced investigator. QTc was calculated by the Bazett's formula and QTcd was determined as the difference between the maximum and minimum QTc intervals in different leads. Only for ANr patients, clinico-demographic data, hormones, and electrolytes were obtained. QTc was slightly reduced in ANr patients (27.7 ms, < 10%, p < 0.0003) vs. controls, while QTcd was increased in P-CTRL (30%, p < 0.0003). Heart rate was significantly lower in ANr patients vs. controls (25%; p < 0.003). Tyroid hormones and serum potassium showed weak although significant positive correlations with QTc in ANr patients. QTcd displayed a weak negative correlation with the BMI percentile (r = - 0.262, p = 0.03). We reject the hypothesis that QTc and QTcd are increased in drug-free ANr adolescents with a relatively short-disease duration. Further studies are needed to understand if the previously reported increase might be related to other associated chronic disorders, such as hormonal or electrolyte imbalance.

Body experiences and psychopathology in idiopathic central precocious and early puberty.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic central precocious (PP) and early puberty (EP) are frequently associated with psychopathological problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of body experiences and psychological aspects in girls with PP and EP, as well as the impact of these conditions on their families and the subjects' vulnerability. METHODS: Subjects with PP or EP, aged 7-15 years, were evaluated through the administration of a self-report questionnaire (Children's Depression Inventory, CDI), along with a projective test (Human Figure Drawing Test, HFDT). Their parents filled in a questionnaire about their child's behavior (Child Behavior Checklist 4-18, CBCL). RESULTS: Twenty-nine girls with PP or EP were compared to 55 age-matched healthy girls. The 13.8% of subjects with EP or PP presented depressive traits, and the 48.3% reported suicidal thoughts at the CDI (vs. CONTROLS: P<0.05). At the HFDT, a lower psychological maturity and a more negative self-image, that determine a vulnerability to psychopathology and mental suffering, were observed in those subjects with a past EP or PP, who entered in adolescence. CONCLUSION: EP and PP are complex conditions, which combine somatic symptoms with negative psychological sequelae, including an increased risk for depression and a distorted body perception. The use of projective tests for the assessment of body perception might help the clinician come to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic needs of girls with PP or EP.

Beta-amyloid plasma levels in adolescents with anorexia nervosa of the restrictive type.

BACKGROUND: Reduced plasma leptin and elevated homocysteine (Hcy) are known to lead to increased ß-amyloid (Aß) production, besides being hallmarks of anorexia nervosa (AN) of the restrictive type. AN subjects display several neuropsychiatric manifestations, which may entail Aß-mediated altered synaptic functions. The aim of this study consisted in assessing Aß plasma levels in AN patients. METHODS: A total of 24 adolescent female AN outpatients were recruited together with 12 age-comparable healthy controls. For each subject we assessed Aß40 and leptin plasma levels, as well as APOE genotype. Hcy plasma levels were also determined in AN patients who underwent clinical characterization, including the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the estimation of the speed of BMI loss (DPI, disease progression index). RESULTS: Plasma Aß40 levels were similar between patients and controls, while a marked reduction was observed for leptin (∼80%) in AN patients. Aß40 plasma levels failed to correlate with leptin, while a linear correlation was present with Hcy (r = 0.50, p < 0.03). Examined clinical features were not related with Aß40 plasma levels, with the only exception of the DPI (r = 0.47, p < 0.03). CONCLUSION: This exploratory study does not support a significant role for altered Aß production in AN-associated dysfunctions. Further studies are required to clarify whether exceptions to this conclusion can be drawn for those patients expressing significantly elevated Hcy plasma levels or for those progressing more rapidly.

Paradoxical increase of plasma vitamin B12 and folates with disease severity in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex disorder involving severe psychological manifestations and multiple organ damage, including liver dysfunction. The primary aim of this study consisted in assessing plasma levels of vitamin B12 and folates with respect to liver function enzymes considering the liver-storage properties of this vitamin. METHOD: We recruited 70 restrictive type AN adolescents and the severity of psychopathological traits was assessed using EDI-3 scale. Plasma levels of vitamin B12 , folates, transaminases (AST, ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cholinesterase (CHE) were determined. RESULTS: About 38.5% of patients displayed vitamin B12 values (H-B12) above the upper range of normal reference; 4.3% of patients had increased values of folates; 20 and 11.4% of patients displayed ALT and AST values above reference limits; none had GGT values above normal range. Albeit low CHE and ALP values were found in 55 and 20% of patients, respectively, a linear correlation with both transaminases was present only for vitamin B12 and folates; furthermore, H-B12 patients had both higher AST and ALT values. EDI- 3 subscores significantly correlated with vitamin B12 and folates plasma values and H-B12 patients displayed EDI-3 higher values. DISCUSSION: These data suggest that plasma levels of vitamin B12 might be an early marker of liver dysfunction, possibly also related to more severe psychopathological aspects. The identification of patients with higher fasting plasma vitamin B12 levels could therefore lead to earlier and more careful refeeding interventions. Further studies will clarify the potential role of this vitamin in AN clinical practice.

Diazepam binding inhibitor and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate plasma levels in borderline personality disorder adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients display a complex and heterogeneous clinical phenotype that plausibly implies variable underlying pathogenic mechanisms. A dysregulation of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors has previously been shown in BPD peripheral tissues, implying possible alterations of its ligand, the diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) or of the downstream products of its activation, i.e. neuroactive steroids. METHODS: The aim of this work consisted in assessing, by ELISA, fasting plasma levels of DBI and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), including cortisol and the cortisol-to-DHEA-S molar ratio (CDR), in 17 BPD adolescents versus 13 healthy controls, testing the possibility that clinical scales related to depressive or anxious traits (CDI, STAI-Y) or to disease severity (BPDCL) might be associated with a selective dysregulation of these parameters. RESULTS: DBI plasma levels were unchanged, while DHEA-S ones were significantly increased (approx. 70%) and the CDR decreased in BPD patients. No meaningful correlations with clinical variables emerged. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a dysfunction of the neurosteroid system might be operative in BPD in spite of unchanged DBI plasma levels and that DHEA-S might represent a generalized trait marker for the altered stress response that is associated with this disorder.

Autobiographical memory in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate deficits in autobiographical memory in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). METHODS: Sixty female individuals with AN and 60 healthy volunteers with an age range of 11-18 years were enrolled. The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT), the Eating Disorder Inventory-3, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 for the evaluation of alexithymia and Children's Depression Inventory to evaluate depressive traits were administered. In addition to classical AMT words, we proposed seven experimental cues, chosen from words often used by individuals with eating disorders in daily life. RESULTS: Girls with AN showed a massive overgeneral memory effect. This effect was not related to the presence of depression or alexithymia but increased with the duration of the disorder rather than with its severity. DISCUSSION: The alteration of autobiographical memory manifests in adolescence. Girls with AN showed a dysregulation of both negative and positive emotional experiences that seemed to be influenced by the disease duration.

Psychopathological traits of adolescents with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: a comparison with anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is a form of anovulation, due to the suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, not related to identifiable organic causes. Like adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), subjects with FHA show dysfunctional attitudes, low self-esteem, depressive mood, anxiety and inability to cope with daily stress. The aim of the study is to examine similarities and differences between FHA and AN in terms of clinical profiles and psychological variables. METHODS: 21 adolescents with FHA, 21 adolescents with anorexia nervosa, and 21 healthy adolescents were included in the study. All the teenagers completed a battery of self-administered psychological tests for the detection of behaviors and symptoms attributable to the presence of an eating disorder (EDI-2), depression (CDI), and alexithymia (TAS-20). RESULTS: Different from healthy controls, subjects with FHA and with AN shared common psychopathological aspects, such as maturity issues, social insecurity and introversion, a tendency to depression, excessive concerns with dieting, and fear of gaining weight. Nevertheless, adolescents with AN presented a more profound psychopathological disorder as observed at test comparisons with subjects with FHA. CONCLUSIONS: Results show a clinical spectrum that includes AN and FHA and suggest the necessity to treat FHA with a multidisciplinary approach for both organic and psychological aspects.

Immigration, policies of integration and healthcare expenditure: A longitudinal analysis of the INHS (2002‒2018).

BACKGROUND: Immigration has become a structural phenomenon in Italy, a country reputed as being 'immigrant-friendly'. The increase in the proportion of immigrants has led to increasing efforts to design and implement health policies throughout the country while controlling public spending. METHOD: Being interested in both the cross-sectional and time series dimensions of analysis, we used a PVAR (Panel Vector Autoregression) model, which combines the VAR technique with panel data models, to estimate the impact of regular immigration on health expenditure. FINDINGS: Our results confirm that an increase in the share of regular immigrants in the total population decreases the amount of aggregate public health expenditure. CONCLUSION: Despite the intense activity by Italian governments on social and health integration policies for immigrants, policymakers may focus more on the implementation of national policies at regional and local levels, on their costs and with a specific focus on undocumented immigrants.

Marine phycotoxin levels in shellfish-14 years of data gathered along the Italian coast.

Along the Italian coasts, toxins of algal origin in wild and cultivated shellfish have been reported since the 1970s. In this study, we used data gathered by the Veterinary Public Health Institutes (IZS) and the Italian Environmental Health Protection Agencies (ARPA) from 2006 to 2019 to investigate toxicity events along the Italian coasts and relate them to the distribution of potentially toxic species. Among the detected toxins (OA and analogs, YTXs, PTXs, STXs, DAs, AZAs), OA and YTX were those most frequently reported. Levels exceeding regulatory limits in the case of OA (≤2,448 µg equivalent kg-1) were associated with high abundances of Dinophysis spp., and in the case of YTXs (≤22 mg equivalent kg-1) with blooms of Gonyaulax spinifera, Lingulodinium polyedra, and Protoceratium reticulatum. Seasonal blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. occur all along the Italian coast, but DA has only occasionally been detected in shellfish at concentrations always below the regulatory limit (≤18 mg kg-1). Alexandrium spp. were recorded in several areas, although STXs (≤13,782 µg equivalent kg-1) rarely and only in few sites exceeded the regulatory limit in shellfish. Azadinium spp. have been sporadically recorded, and AZAs have been sometimes detected but always in low concentrations (≤7 µg equivalent kg-1). Among the emerging toxins, PLTX-like toxins (≤971 µg kg-1 OVTX-a) have often been detected mainly in wild mussels and sea urchins from rocky shores due to the presence of Ostreopsis cf. ovata. Overall, Italian coastal waters harbour a high number of potentially toxic species, with a few HAB hotspots mainly related to DSP toxins. Nevertheless, rare cases of intoxications have occurred so far, reflecting the whole Mediterranean Sea conditions.

Reduced fasting plasma levels of diazepam-binding inhibitor in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Altered expression and/or function, both peripherally and centrally, of various neuropeptides is involved in the neurophysiology of anorexia nervosa (AN). Diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) is an interesting peptide for understanding this crosstalk. The aim of this work was to assess fasting plasma levels of DBI and leptin in patients with AN. METHOD: Twenty-four AN adolescents were recruited together with 10 age-comparable healthy controls. Neuropeptide determinations were performed on plasma samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Patients with AN were further characterized for the presence of a depressive state or anxiety by using, respectively, the Children's Depression Inventory or the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y. RESULTS: Levels of both plasma DBI and leptin were reduced in patients with AN (∼40 and ∼70%, respectively). DBI levels displayed a tendency to increase in the presence of a depressive state, although not with anxiety, whereas leptin levels correlated exclusively with body mass index. DISCUSSION: These data further extend our knowledge of neuropeptide dysfunction in AN, and plasma DBI may represent a marker for this disease, in particular considering its correlation with comorbid mood disorders.

Body experiences, emotional competence, and psychosocial functioning in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

We investigated self-image, psychological functioning, and quality of life in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Thirty-nine children with JIA were compared with 80 healthy peers. We first administered the Human Figure Drawing Test (HFDT) to all subjects; children also completed standardized questionnaires evaluating health-related quality of life (PEDSQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales) and the main aspects of psychological functioning: anxiety (SAFA-A) and depression (CDI). Parents were asked to complete the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the PEDSQL 4.0. For each patient with JIA, clinical notes were gathered and a global disease assessment (visual analog scale--VAS) was performed. Compared to healthy peers, patients with JIA reported reduced maturity quotients at HFDT, more depressive traits, greater anxiety, and lower health-related quality of life. Among the subjects with JIA, HFDT revealed that adolescents had a greater impairment in all areas investigated. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the physical well-being rated by VAS and the perception of poorer quality of life in patients, mostly in the psychosocial domains. Children and adolescents with JIA exhibit emotional difficulties and a delay of psychological development leading to low self-esteem, a distorted self-image, more anxiety and depression traits, and a worse quality of life, when compared to healthy subjects.

Psychopathological risk in a sample of immigrant preadolescents in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Aim of the study was to collect information about emotional features in a sample of immigrant preadolescents in order to identify traits of emotional fragility or psychopathological risk factors. METHODS: The sample consists of 1206 preadolescents (180 immigrants, 1026 Italian natives) attending the third year of the middle schools. In order to assess anxiety levels and the presence of depressive symptoms the Self-Administered Psychiatric Scale (SAFA-A) and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were administered. Coping strategies and behavior problems were evaluated by the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situation (CISS) and the Youth Self Report scale (YRS). All teachers filled out the Teacher's Report Form (TRF). Parents were asked to fill out a form on social-demographic features and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). RESULTS: Immigration resulted a risk factor for development of anxiety (OR=0.702), depression (OR=0.644), internalizing problems (OR=0.685), behavior problems (OR=0.622) and total problems (OR=0.719). Teachers observed more behavior problems and lower competences in immigrants than natives. Immigrants relied significantly more often on emotion-oriented coping strategies to resolve stressful situation than natives (P=0.045). Analyzing the immigrants' sample, second generation children reported significantly higher levels in total competence (school, activity and relationship) than first generation ones (P≤00.1); on the contrary there were no significant differences between the two groups concerning other behavioral and emotional problems or the preferred coping style. Natives' families reported significantly higher levels of perceived support than immigrant ones. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the hypothesis that preadolescent immigrants are more at risk for psychopathological risk factors than native peers.

Preadolescent anxiety: an epidemiological study concerning an Italian sample of 3,479 nine-year-old pupils.

The epidemiology of anxiety traits was examined in a large sample of Italian preadolescent children, and 3,479 Italian nine-year-old subjects were enrolled. Anxious traits were observed in 10.5% of children. No significant gender differences were found, but children of separated couples presented a relative risk for anxious traits that was 50% higher, than children of cohabiting or married parents. Moreover, large families (more than 4 members) with a stay-at-home mother were also associated with anxiety in the offspring. Currently, this is the first study carried out in a large sample of preadolescent children, all of the same age.

CD4 downregulation by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef protein is dispensable for optimal output and functionality of viral particles in primary T cells.

Nef is a multifunctional protein of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) required for high viral replication and disease progression. Several findings indicate that the capacity of Nef to downregulate surface CD4 is essential for the protein's pathogenic activity, although the mechanisms that link the two functions are yet unclear. It is believed that, by reducing surface CD4 levels, Nef counteracts the receptor's negative effects on virion infectivity and release. Here, we show that, in 293T cells co-expressing CD4 and HIV-1, the capacity of Nef to enhance the virion incorporation of Env products and release of viral particles was mediated by retention-degradation of neo-synthesized CD4 rather than by accelerated receptor endocytosis. Different results were observed in primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes in which Nef-mediated CD4 downregulation occurs primarily by accelerated internalization. In HIV-infected T cell cultures, Nef was crucial for the removal of surface CD4 at the beginning of the infection, while later on maximal CD4 downregulation was achieved in a Nef-independent manner. Moreover, by means of in vivo selected Nef mutants, we observed that CD4 downregulation is not essential for Nef ability to enhance Env incorporation into virions and increase viral infectivity or replication in CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Notably, Nef expression itself was dispensable for efficient release of HIV-1 particles by T cells. In conclusion, we propose that the CD4 downregulation activity of Nef plays a role before the late productive phases of HIV-1 replication.

ADAR2 editing enzyme is a novel human immunodeficiency virus-1 proviral factor.

The adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR) enzymes catalyse conversion of adenosine to inosine in dsRNA. A positive effect of ADAR1 on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication has recently been reported. Here, we show that another ADAR enzyme, ADAR2, positively affects the replication process of HIV-1. We found that, analogously to ADAR1, ADAR2 enhances the release of progeny virions by an editing-dependent mechanism. However, differently from the ADAR1 enzyme, ADAR2 does not increase the infectious potential of the virus. Importantly, downregulation of ADAR2 in Jurkat cells significantly impairs viral replication. Therefore, ADAR2 shares some but not all proviral functions of ADAR1. These results suggest a novel role of ADAR2 as a viral regulator.

Editing of HIV-1 RNA by the double-stranded RNA deaminase ADAR1 stimulates viral infection.

Adenosine deaminases that act on dsRNA (ADARs) are enzymes that target double-stranded regions of RNA converting adenosines into inosines (A-to-I editing) thus contributing to genome complexity and fine regulation of gene expression. It has been described that a member of the ADAR family, ADAR1, can target viruses and affect their replication process. Here we report evidence showing that ADAR1 stimulates human immuno deficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication by using both editing-dependent and editing-independent mechanisms. We show that over-expression of ADAR1 in HIV-1 producer cells increases viral protein accumulation in an editing-independent manner. Moreover, HIV-1 virions generated in the presence of over-expressed ADAR1 but not an editing-inactive ADAR1 mutant are released more efficiently and display enhanced infectivity, as demonstrated by challenge assays performed with T cell lines and primary CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Finally, we report that ADAR1 associates with HIV-1 RNAs and edits adenosines in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) and the Rev and Tat coding sequence. Overall these results suggest that HIV-1 has evolved mechanisms to take advantage of specific RNA editing activity of the host cell and disclose a stimulatory function of ADAR1 in the spread of HIV-1.

Outcome and quality of life of patients with augmented bladder or urinary diversion after kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess results and quality of life after kidney transplant in adult patients with previously bladder augmentation or urinary diversion due to significant lower urinary tract dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study examines the outcome of 19 renal allografts transplanted in patients with augmented bladder or urinary diversion over a ten years period; moreover we submitted SF36 questionnaire to evaluate quality of life of these patients and compared the results with the general population. RESULT: Between January 1, 2005 and 31 December 2015 we performed 19/1093 renal transplantations in patients with abnormal lower urinary tract previously treated with bladder augmentation or bladder recycling. Current post-transplant follow-up was 47 months (range 18-188). No patient developed any episode of acute or chronic rejection. Mean serum creatinine after one year from transplant was 102 umol/L. Overall survival is 94.8% at the end of follow-up and graft survival is 89.6%. No significant differences emerged between patients undergoing transplant with lower urinary tract dysfunction and patients without, regarding to recurrent urinary tract infection. There was not statistically significant difference for vitality (p = 0.8088) and mental health (p = 0.8668). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of a previously augmented bladder or other lower urinary tract dysfunction treated in kidney transplant patients doesn't worsen the final outcome. Mental health and the vitality of these patients are similar to the general population.

The quality of life of children and adolescents with X-linked agammaglobulinemia.

INTRODUCTION: The health-related quality of life in X-linked agammaglobulinemia was investigated in 25 children and adolescents patients through the Italian version of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scale for patients aged less then 18 years, comparing child perception to that of the parents and the physician's evaluation. The data were compared with the ones of 80 healthy controls and the literature data of a group of patients with rheumatic diseases. DISCUSSION: The agammaglobulinemia subjects perceived a lower global quality of life than the healthy subjects, but significantly higher than the rheumatic diseases controls. The clinical relevance of health-related quality of life assessment in X-linked agammaglobulinemia pediatric patients is discussed.

Anorexia nervosa of the restrictive type and celiac disease in adolescence.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is usually present in adolescence with symptoms partially overlapping celiac disease (CD), but the relationship between these two conditions has received little attention in the literature. The aim of this work was to explore this relationship, considering if CD could be associated with specific baseline AN-related clinical features. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 82 adolescent female out- and inpatients with AN of the restrictive type (ANr), according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria, were recruited. CD diagnosis and related serology were recorded, including tissue transglutaminase type-2 antibodies, endomysial antibodies, and antibodies against deamidated forms of gliadin peptides. Eating disorder inventory-3, Children's Depression Inventory, body mass index, age, and disease duration data recorded at the time of blood withdrawal were also obtained from each patient. RESULTS: Five (6.1%) subjects presented a CD disorder associated with AN: none of the collected psychometric measures was significantly correlated with any CD-related parameter or characterized as a specific subgroup. CONCLUSION: CD diagnosis or serology does not relate to ANr clinical or demographic characteristics. However, a slight increase in prevalence with respect to the general population might be hypothesized and possibly elucidated by further studies with an appropriate design.

Cognitive profiles in bilingual children born to immigrant parents and Italian monolingual native children with specific learning disorders.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children® - fourth edition IV (WISC IV) intellectual profile of two groups of children with specific learning disorder, a group of bilingual children and a group of monolingual Italian children, in order to identify possible significant differences between them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 48 bilingual children and a group of 48 Italian monolingual children were included in this study. A preliminary comparison showed the homogeneity of the two groups regarding learning disorder typology and sociodemographic characteristics (age at WISC IV assessment, sex and years of education in Italy) with the exception of socioeconomic status. Socioeconomic status was then used as a covariate in the analysis. RESULTS: Even if the two groups were comparable in specific learning disorder severity and, in particular, in the text comprehension performance, our findings showed that the WISC IV performances of the bilingual group were significantly worse than the Italian group in Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (P=0.03), in General Ability Index (P=0.03), in Working Memory Index (P=0.009) and in some subtests and clusters requiring advanced linguistic abilities. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis of a weakness in metalinguistic abilities in bilingual children with specific learning disorders than monolinguals. If confirmed, this result must be considered in the rehabilitation treatment.