Ultrasound prenatal diagnosis of a lateral facial cleft (Tessier number 7).

Lateral facial clefting may occur as an isolated phenomenon or in association with other disorders. It may originate from a failed penetration of ectomesenchyme between the developing maxillary and mandibular prominences, but disruptive factors may also occur in a proportion of cases. The frequency of this abnormality is estimated as 1 in 50 000-175 000 live births. We describe a case of isolated symmetrical lateral facial cleft (number 7 according to the Tessier classification) diagnosed prenatally on ultrasound examination at 26 weeks of gestation.

Anaphylactic reaction after skin-prick testing in an 8-year-old boy.

This paper presents the case of an 8-year-old boy who developed an anaphylactic reaction after skin-prick testing (SPT). The tests were performed with commercial extracts and were strongly positive for dog and grass. The boy had no incidence of anaphylaxis reported in his history. At the time tests were performed, he had been admitted to the hospital because of persistent wheezing and had a dog at home for a few days. Although anaphylaxis is very rare after SPTs, these tests should always be peformed in a place equipped to treat anaphylaxis.

[Pica and iron-deficiency anemia in a 2-year old Indian child]. / Pica e anemia ferropriva in una bambina indiana di due anni.

Pica is the compulsive ingestion of nonnutritive substances. The causes are not known, but the symptom is often associated either with iron-deficiency or with pregnancy. The authors report on a case of pica in a 2-year old Indian child, affected by a serious ferropenic anaemia.

[Experience in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress with nasal CPAP]. / Esperienza nel trattamento del distress respiratorio neonatale tramite CPAP nasale.

Since the early 1970s, when continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) was introduced as a method of treatment of neonatal respiratory distress, many technical approaches have been suggested. The Authors report their experience with a new technique for nasal CPAP which has been developed to minimize impedance to breathing and offering maximum airway pressure stability and tolerance to leakage. Thirty-two newborns with symptoms of RDS were treated with Infant Flow System, a new device for nasal CPAP with nasal prongs which resulted inexpensive, simple to use and with lower risk for serious complications. Furthermore, the results suggest that treatment by early CPAP with nasal prongs in newborns presenting symptoms of RDS can be effective in reducing the number of newborns transferred to the third level Unit.

[2 cases of Potter's syndrome]. / Due casi di sindrome di Potter.

In this report, we describe two patients with Potter's syndrome classical signs and take the opportunity to discuss about the etiopathogenetic hypothesis concerning various phenotypical expressions of that syndrome.

[Treatment of diaphragmatic paralysis in the newborn infant]. / Il trattamento della paralisi diaframmatica del neonato.

The paralysis of the diaphragm in the newborn is a rare pathological event. The "paradoxical movement" of the affected emidiaphragm can sometimes determine a important respiratory insufficiency. Medical treatment involves supplying oxygen, CPAP by means of a nasal cannula or mechanical ventilation with PEEP. Surgical plication of the affected emidiaphragm is recommended when a regular diaphragmatic function is not restored at 5-6 weeks of age and in the presence of serious respiratory insufficiency. Three cases are reported in this article which needed different therapeutical approaches.

Esophageal perforation in the newborn.

Two cases of esophageal perforation in the newborn are reported. The first case underwent surgery after suspected diagnosis of a traumatic perforation of a superior atresic esophageal stump. The second case was treated with supportive therapy. Both cases were cured and discharged in good health. The possible mechanisms of spontaneous and iatrogenic perforation are discussed.