Preventive exercise and physical rehabilitation promote long-term potentiation-like plasticity expression in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Loss of long-term potentiation (LTP) expression has been associated with a worse disease course in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) and represents a pathophysiological hallmark of progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS). Exercise and physical rehabilitation are the most prominent therapeutic approaches to promote synaptic plasticity. We aimed to explore whether physical exercise is able to improve the expression of LTP-like plasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: In 46 newly diagnosed RR-MS patients, we explored the impact of preventive exercise on LTP-like plasticity as assessed by intermittent theta-burst stimulation. Patients were divided into sedentary or active, based on physical activity performed during the 6 months prior to diagnosis. Furthermore, in 18 patients with PMS, we evaluated the impact of an 8-week inpatient neurorehabilitation program on clinical scores and LTP-like plasticity explored using paired associative stimulation (PAS). Synaptic plasticity expression was compared in patients and healthy subjects. RESULTS: Reduced LTP expression was found in RR-MS patients compared with controls. Exercising RR-MS patients showed a greater amount of LTP expression compared with sedentary patients. In PMS patients, LTP expression was reduced compared with controls and increased after 8 weeks of rehabilitation. In this group of patients, LTP magnitude at baseline predicted the improvement in hand dexterity. CONCLUSIONS: Both preventive exercise and physical rehabilitation may enhance the expression of LTP-like synaptic plasticity in MS, with potential beneficial effects on disability accumulation.

Distinct intrathecal inflammatory signatures following relapse and anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The role of vaccine-mediated inflammation in exacerbating multiple sclerosis (MS) is a matter of debate. OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we compared the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammation associated with MS relapses or anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). METHODS: We dosed CSF cytokines in 97 unvaccinated RRMS patients with clinical relapse within the last 100 days. In addition, we enrolled 29 stable RRMS and 24 control patients receiving COVID-19 vaccine within the last 100 days. RESULTS: In RRMS patients, a negative association was found between relapse distance and the CSF concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-2 (beta = -0.265, p = 0.016), IL-6 (beta = -0.284, p = 0.01), and IL-17 (beta = -0.224, p = 0.044). Conversely, vaccine distance positively correlated with a different set of cytokines including IL-12 (beta = 0.576, p = 0.002), IL-13 (beta = 0.432, p = 0.027), and IL-1ra (beta = 0.387, p = 0.05). These associations were significant also considering other clinical characteristics. No significant associations emerged between vaccine distance and CSF molecules in the control group. CONCLUSION: Vaccine for COVID-19 induces a central inflammatory response in RRMS patients that is qualitatively different from that associated with disease relapse.

Low-contrast visual acuity test is associated with central inflammation and predicts disability development in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients.

Introduction: The visual system is a prominent site of damage in MS since the earliest phases of the disease. Altered low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA) test has been associated with visual impairment and retinal degeneration, predicting medium- and long-term disability. However, it is unclear whether LCVA may also represent a reliable measure of neuroinflammation and a predictor of disease evolution in the very early stages of MS. Methods: We explored in a group of 76 consecutive newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) patients without visual impairment or altered visual evoked potentials, the association between LCVA scores at 2.5% and 1.25% and clinical characteristics, including prospective disability evaluated after 1- and 2 years of follow-up. Associations between LCVA and the CSF levels of IL-10 at diagnosis were also analyzed. Results: A negative correlation was found between LCVA at 2.5% and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluated at first (Spearman's Rho = -0.349, p = 0.005, n = 62) and second year (Spearman's Rho = -0.418, p < 0.001, n = 62) of follow-up, and negative correlations were found with Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) at first (Spearman's Rho = -0.359, p = 0.004, n = 62) and second year (Spearman's Rho = -0.472, p < 0.001, n = 62). All the data were confirmed by a mixed effect model, considering other clinical variables. A positive correlation was found between the CSF concentrations of IL-10 and LCVA at 2.5% (Spearman's Rho = 0.272, p = 0.020, n = 76), and 1.25% (Spearman's Rho, = 0.276, p = 0.018, n = 76), also evidenced in a linear regression. Discussion: In MS patients at diagnosis, altered LCVA may be associated with CSF inflammation and represent a useful parameter to identify patients with worse disease course.

Re-emergence of T lymphocyte-mediated synaptopathy in progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background: Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is defined by the irreversible accumulation of disability following a relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) course. Despite treatments advances, a reliable tool able to capture the transition from RRMS to SPMS is lacking. A T cell chimeric MS model demonstrated that T cells derived from relapsing patients exacerbate excitatory transmission of central neurons, a synaptotoxic event absent during remitting stages. We hypothesized the re-emergence of T cell synaptotoxicity during SPMS and investigated the synaptoprotective effects of siponimod, a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator, known to reduce grey matter damage in SPMS patients. Methods: Data from healthy controls (HC), SPMS patients, and siponimod-treated SPMS patients were collected. Chimeric experiments were performed incubating human T cells on murine cortico-striatal slices, and recording spontaneous glutamatergic activity from striatal neurons. Homologous chimeric experiments were executed incubating EAE mice T cells with siponimod and specific S1PR agonists or antagonists to identify the receptor involved in siponimod-mediated synaptic recovery. Results: SPMS patient-derived T cells significantly increased the striatal excitatory synaptic transmission (n=40 synapses) compared to HC T cells (n=55 synapses), mimicking the glutamatergic alterations observed in active RRMS-T cells. Siponimod treatment rescued SPMS T cells synaptotoxicity (n=51 synapses). Homologous chimeric experiments highlighted S1P5R involvement in the siponimod's protective effects. Conclusion: Transition from RRMS to SPMS involves the reappearance of T cell-mediated synaptotoxicity. Siponimod counteracts T cell-induced excitotoxicity, emphasizing the significance of inflammatory synaptopathy in progressive MS and its potential as a promising pharmacological target.

Osteopontin Is Associated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapses.

BACKGROUND: Osteopontin, an extracellular matrix protein involved in bone remodeling, tissue repair and inflammation, has previously been associated with increased inflammation and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS), promoting a worse disease course. Osteopontin is also likely involved in acute MS relapses. METHODS: In 47 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, we explored the correlation between the time elapsed between the last clinical relapse and lumbar puncture, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of osteopontin and a group of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines such as resistin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, osteoprotegerin, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). We also analyzed the correlations between CSF levels of osteopontin and the other CSF molecules considered. RESULTS: Osteopontin CSF concentrations were higher in patients with a shorter time interval between the last clinical relapse and CSF withdrawal. In addition, CSF levels of osteopontin were positively correlated with the proinflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-6 and negatively correlated with the anti-inflammatory molecule IL-1ra. CONCLUSIONS: Our results further suggest the role of osteopontin in acute MS relapses showing that, in proximity to relapses, osteopontin expression in CSF may be increased along with other proinflammatory mediators and correlated with decreased concentrations of anti-inflammatory molecules.

BACE1 influences clinical manifestations and central inflammation in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Neurodegenerative and inflammatory processes influence the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS). The ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) has been associated with cognitive dysfunction, amyloid deposition and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. We explored in a group of 50 patients with relapsing-remitting MS the association between the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of BACE1, clinical characteristics at the time of diagnosis and prospective disability after three-years follow-up. In addition, we assessed the correlations between the CSF levels of BACE 1, amyloid ß (Aß) 1-40 and 1-42, phosphorylated tau (pTau), lactate, and a set of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules. BACE1 CSF levels were correlated positively with depression as measured with Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition scale, and negatively with visuospatial memory performance evaluated by the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised. In addition, BACE CSF levels were positively correlated with Bayesian Risk Estimate for MS at onset, and with Expanded Disability Status Scale score assessed three years after diagnosis. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between BACE1, amyloid ß 42/40 ratio (Spearman's r = 0.334, p = 0.018, n = 50), pTau (Spearman's r = 0.304, p = 0.032, n = 50) and lactate concentrations (Spearman's r = 0.361, p = 0.01, n = 50). Finally, an association emerged between BACE1 CSF levels and a group of pro and anti-inflammatory molecules, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17, IL-13, IL-9 and interferon-γ. BACE1 may have a role in different key mechanisms such as neurodegeneration, oxidative stress and inflammation, influencing mood, cognitive disorders and disability progression in MS.

Measuring transcutaneous bilirubin: a comparative analysis of three devices on a multiracial population.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbilirubinemia can lead to potentially irreversible bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity. Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) determination has become a valuable aid in non invasive screening of neonatal jaundice.The aim of this study is to compare the performance of three most widespread transcutaneous bilirubinometers on a multiracial population of term and late pre-term neonates. METHODS: Bilirubin concentration was determined using traditional photometric determination and transcutaneously with Bilicheck, BiliMed and JM-103, in random order.Total serum bilirubin (TSB) was determined over a wide concentration range (15,8-0,7 mg/dl) with a mean of 9,5 mg/dl. Related TcB values using Bilicheck (TcB-BC), BiliMed (TcB-BM), and JM-103 (TcB-JM) are reported in Table 1. RESULTS: A multiracial population of 289 neonates was enrolled with a gestational age ranging from 35 to 41 weeks; birth weight ranging from 1800 to 4350 grams; hours of life ranging from 4 to 424. In the total study population correlation analysis using Pearson coefficients showed good results for Bilicheck (r = 0.86) and JM-103 (r = 0.85) but poor for BiliMed (r = 0,70). Similar results were found for the non-Caucasian neonates subgroup. Bilicheck and JM-103 had a greater area under the curve than BiliMed when TSB =14 mg/dl was chosen as a threshold value both for the total study population and the non-Caucasian subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Bilicheck and JM-103, but not BiliMed, are equally reliable screening tools for hyperbilirubinemia in our multiracial neonatal population.

Reducing post-extubation failure rates in very preterm infants: is BiPAP better than CPAP?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is currently used in neonates after mechanical ventilation though it may occasionally be associated with air leaks syndromes or it may fail to support the baby. The pressure difference offered by bilevel continuous positive distending pressure (BiPAP) respect to CPAP may be an advantage to the spontaneously breathing patient. In this study, we compared the efficacy of CPAP and BiPAP in the firstweek post-extubation in a series of very preterm infants. METHODS: Inborn neonates less than 30 weeks of gestational age who were intubated shortly after birth from January 2011 to December 2017 were enrolled in a retrospective study. The attending clinician assessed the patients for non-invasive respiratory support readiness and allocated them to CPAP (PEEP 4-6 cmH2O) or BiPAP (PEEP 4-5 cmH2O, rate 10-40; Thigh 0.7-1.2; upper-pressure level 8-10 cmH2O). Both techniques were compared for preventing extubation failure within 7 days from extubation as defined per local protocol (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes were: definitive failure of extubation, pneumothorax during non-invasive respiratory support, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus and retinopathy of prematurity at discharge. RESULTS: We enrolled 134 neonates; the CPAP group included 89 babies while 45 received BiPAP. Patients did not differ for their general characteristics (EG, antenatal steroids, incidence of SGA, maternal hypertension, surfactant replacement therapy). Short term extubation failure was significantly higher in the former group (23/89 in CPAP vs 5/45 in BiPAP; p = .005). No infant developed air leak syndrome. Secondary outcomes were comparable between groups. Multivariate analysis showed that on the whole population the extubation failure was correlated to the insurgence of late-onset sepsis. CONCLUSION: BiPAP safely reduced early extubation failure compared to CPAP in our cohort of very preterm neonates within 7 days from extubation.

Obstetric education and neonatal resuscitation at birth: an Italian survey.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 10% of infants at birth require some assistance to breathe and 1% require vigorous resuscitation. As such, midwives need appropriate education and training on newborn life support (NLS) techniques. METHODS: We conducted a survey on Italian territory about the correlation between obstetric education and the management of the neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room. The study was led through a web survey based on 23 questions, given anonymously online through the Google Drive platform. RESULTS: 272 women aged from 19 to 59 years answered the questions (83% midwives and 17% midwifery students). 93% of them attended an NLS course before graduation, while only 57% have repeated it afterwards once or more times. The midwives working in hospitals with neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) experienced more involvement within the emergency neonatal resuscitation team than the others working in other kind of hospitals (hospital with NICU 79%, hospital without NICU 57%, private hospital 48%; p < .001). Moreover, the midwives' years of experience at work are much more related to the prompt execution of primary resuscitation maneuvers (more than 10 years of experience 74%, 5-10 years 48%, less than 5 years 30%; p < .001). Power analysis showed an adequate sample size of the study population. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of NLS techniques are taught to near all midwives, only working in hospitals within a NICU and longer work experience are directly related with greater involvement of a midwife in the neonatal resuscitation team.

Interleukin 6 SNP rs1818879 Regulates Radiological and Inflammatory Activity in Multiple Sclerosis.

(1) Background: The clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is critically influenced by the expression of different pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) represents a major inflammatory molecule previously associated with exacerbated disease activity in relapsing remitting MS (RR-MS); however, the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-6 gene has not been fully elucidated in MS. (2) Methods: We explored in a cohort of 171 RR-MS patients, at the time of diagnosis, the associations between four IL-6 SNPs (rs1818879, rs1554606, rs1800797, and rs1474347), CSF inflammation, and clinical presentation. (3) Results: Using principal component analysis and logistic regression analysis we identified an association between rs1818879, radiological activity, and a set of cytokines, including the IL-1ß, IL-9, IL-10, and IL-13. No significant associations were found between other SNPs and clinical or inflammatory parameters. (4) Conclusions: The association between the rs1818879 polymorphism and subclinical neuroinflammatory activity suggests that interindividual differences in the IL-6 gene might influence the immune activation profile in MS.

Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Is Associated with Reduced Expression of Interleukin-10 and Worse Prospective Disease Activity.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), fatigue is a frequent symptom that negatively affects quality of life. The pathogenesis of fatigue is multifactorial and inflammation may play a specific role. To explore the association between fatigue, central inflammation and disease course in MS in 106 relapsing-remitting (RR)-MS patients, clinical characteristics, including fatigue and mood, were explored at the time of diagnosis. NEDA (no evidence of disease activity)-3 status after one-year follow up was calculated. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of a set of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules and peripheral blood markers of inflammation were also analyzed. MRI structural measures were explored in 35 patients. A significant negative correlation was found at diagnosis between fatigue measured with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and the CSF levels of interleukin (IL)-10. Conversely, no significant associations were found with peripheral markers of inflammation. Higher MFIS scores were associated with reduced probability to reach NEDA-3 status after 1-year follow up. Finally, T2 lesion load showed a positive correlation with MFIS scores and a negative correlation with CSF IL-10 levels at diagnosis. CSF inflammation, and particularly the reduced expression of the anti-inflammatory molecule IL-10, may exacerbate fatigue. Fatigue in MS may reflect subclinical CSF inflammation, predisposing to greater disease activity.

Severe Lymphatic Disorder and Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia Treated with Trametinib in a Patient with Noonan Syndrome and SOS1 Mutation.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a multisystemic disorder caused by germline mutations in the Ras/MAPK cascade, causing a broad spectrum of phenotypical abnormalities, including abnormal facies, developmental delay, bleeding diathesis, congenital heart disease (mainly pulmonary stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), lymphatic disorders, and uro-genital abnormalities. Multifocal atrial tachycardia has been associated with NS, where it may occur independently of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Trametinib, a highly selective MEK1/2 inhibitor currently approved for the treatment of cancer, has been shown to reverse left ventricular hypertrophy in two RIT1-mutated newborns with NS and severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Severe lymphatic abnormalities may contribute to decreased pulmonary compliance in NS, and pulmonary lymphangiectasias should be included in the differential diagnosis of a newborn requiring prolonged oxygen administration. Herein we report the case of a pre-term newborn who was admitted to our unit for the occurrence of severe respiratory distress and subentrant MAT treated with trametinib.

Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis: lessons from cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers.

Cognitive impairment is a common clinical manifestation of multiple sclerosis, but its pathophysiology is not completely understood. White and grey matter injury together with synaptic dysfunction do play a role. The measurement of biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid and the study of their association with cognitive impairment may provide interesting in vivo evidence of the biological mechanisms underlying multiple sclerosis-related cognitive impairment. So far, only a few studies on this topic have been published, giving interesting results that deserve further investigation. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of different pathophysiological mechanisms seem to reflect different neuropsychological patterns of cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis. The aim of this review is to discuss the studies that have correlated cerebrospinal fluid markers of immune, glial and neuronal pathology with cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers show some correlation with cognitive performance in multiple sclerosis, thus providing interesting insights into the mechanisms underlying the involvement of specific cognitive domains.

IgM and IgA enriched polyclonal immunoglobulins reduce short term mortality in extremely low birth weight infants with sepsis: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin supplementation is a debated strategy in fighting sepsis. We evaluated a polyclonal IgM and IgA enriched immunoglobulin (IgMeIVIG) preparation in reducing the short-term mortality in extremely low birth weight neonates (ELBW) with proven infection. METHODS: ELBW infants born from January 2008 to December 2014 were eligible for this retrospective case-control analysis if they were symptomatic and had a positive blood culture after 72 hours of life. Patients received antibiotic treatment with or without IgMeIVIG (intravenously, 250 mg/kg/day for 3 days) within the 24 hours from clinical suspicion as per indication of the attending physician. Short-term (7 and 21 days) mortality was the study primary outcome while secondary outcomes were: mortality at discharge, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leukomalacia, and retinopathy of prematurity. RESULTS: Each group was composed by thirty-nine infants. Both groups were similar for antenatal steroids, mode of delivery, birth weight, gestational age and SNAPII score as indicator of disease severity. Infants receiving IgMeIVIG had a significantly lower short-term mortality compared with neonates receiving antibiotics alone: 6/39 (15%) vs. 14/39 (36%); P=0.038. No differences in other outcomes were found. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that IgMeIVIG may have a role as adjuvant therapy in ELBW infants with proven sepsis. We warrant future prospective, blinded RCT studies where IgMeIVIG can be consistently used if needed throughout the NICU admission in ELBW septic neonates to appropriately evaluate its effect on mortality at discharge.

Cerebrospinal fluid free light chains compared to oligoclonal bands as biomarkers in multiple sclerosis.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) free light chains (FLC) may be an alternative biomarker to oligoclonal bands (OCB) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Herein, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of CSF OCB and FLC and we tested the prognostic value of FLC in a cohort of 64 MS patients and 106 controls. A κ-index >7.83 was more sensitive but less specific than OCB in discriminating MS patients from controls. Additionally, a κ-index >10.61 performed better than OCB in the discrimination between MS and controls with inflammatory neurological diseases (p < .001). In clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients, a κ-index >10.61 significantly predicted time to conversion to MS (p = .020). κ-index might be a valid alternative to OCB as a diagnostic biomarker for MS and might also be a prognostic marker in CIS.

Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain predicts disease activity after the first demyelinating event suggestive of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The prediction of disease activity in patients with a first demyelinating event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) is of high clinical relevance. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain (NfL) has shown to have prognostic value in MS patients. In this work, we measured CSF NfL in patients at the first demyelinating event in order to find a cut-off value able to discriminate patients who will have disease activity from those who will remain stable during the follow-up. METHODS: We included CSF samples collected within 30 days after the onset of the first demyelinating event from 32 patients followed-up for 3.8 ±â€¯2.5 years. CSF NfL was measured with a newly developed in-house enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: At the first demyelinating event, patients with subsequent disease activity had significantly higher baseline CSF NfL values compared to clinically and radiologically stable patients (median 812.5 pg/mL, range 205-2359 pg/mL vs 329.5 pg/mL, range 156-3492 pg/mL, p = 0.002). A CSF NfL cut-off value of 500 pg/mL significantly discriminated these two groups of patients with a 90% sensitivity and an 83.3% specificity. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that CSF NfL is a prognostic marker in the very early phases of MS. The validation of a cut-off value of 500 pg/mL could provide clinicians with a dichotomous variable that can simplify the prognostic assessment of patients at the first demyelinating event.

Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain tracks cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Axonal damage disrupts neural circuits and may play a role in determining CI, but its detection and monitoring are not routinely performed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising marker of axonal damage in MS. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively examine the relationship between CSF NfL and CI in MS patients. METHODS: CSF NfL concentration was measured in 28 consecutive newly diagnosed MS patients who underwent a neuropsychological evaluation with the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological tests (BRBN). RESULTS: CSF NfL was higher in patients with overall CI (947.8 ± 400.7 vs 518.4 ± 424.7 pg/mL, p < 0.01), and with impairment in information processing speed (IPS) (820.8 ± 413.6 vs 513.6 ± 461.4 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and verbal fluency (1292 ± 511 vs 582.8 ± 395.4 pg/mL, p < 0.05), and it positively correlated with the number of impaired BRBN tests (r = 0.48, p = 0.01) and cognitive domains (r = 0.47, p = 0.01). Multivariate analyses taking into account potential confounders confirmed these findings. CONCLUSION: CSF NfL is higher in MS patients with CI and impaired IPS and verbal fluency. Large myelinated axons injury, causing neural disconnection, may be an important determinant of CI in MS and can be reliably measured through CSF NfL.

Bilirubin exposure is associated with neonatal sepsis in the eight days preceding symptoms: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare levels of bilirubin (using the area under the curve, AUC) in preterm infants before the onset of sepsis with healthy matched-controls. METHODS: Preterm infants born between January 2011 and December 2015 with late-onset sepsis were enrolled in our retrospective study and were matched with healthy controls (sex, birth weight and gestational age). Levels of bilirubin were registered in the eight days preceding the onset of sepsis and the AUC was calculated for both groups. RESULTS: Eighty-eight neonates (44 cases) were studied. GA and BW did not differ between cases and controls. In cases, we found a higher value of AUC (30.7 versus 22.5; p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: In our retrospective cohort, we found that the levels of bilirubin and the AUC in the first eight days before the onset of sepsis in preterm infants were significantly higher than the healthy controls. These data suggest that the prolonged exposition to high levels of bilirubin could increase the infection susceptibility in preterm infants.

Thoracic Hypoplasia at Birth as Presenting Feature of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome in Twins.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of marrow failure syndrome and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction with an estimated incidence of 1/76,000. When present, characteristic skeletal abnormalities are strongly suggestive of SDS but most often they are seen during childhood and adolescence. We present a case of preterm twins with prenatal diagnosis of thoracic hypoplasia and a clinical evolution that lead to an early diagnosis of SDS. This report highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion for SDS in case of neonatal thoracic hypoplasia.