ABSTRACT Acute respiratory infections represent the leading cause of illness in pediatric patients and are predominantly caused by viral pathogens. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has modified both the epidemiology and the clinical approach in children, who nevertheless experience asymptomatic or mild disease in the majority of cases, with a low incidence of severe illness. Careful [...]
ABSTRACT Children and adolescents complaining of articular pain are frequently encountered in pediatric practice. Because this symptom may be related to a wide variety of illnesses, the differential diagnosis is often difficult. In this review, we provide an overview of the main causes of musculoskeletal pain in the pediatric age and highlight the most useful [...]
ABSTRACT The exponential increase in childhood obesity represents one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time. In parallel with this epidemic, there has been a significant increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), ready-to-eat industrial products, rich in added sugars, fats, salt and additives, but poor in essential nutrients. This article [...]
ABSTRACT The youth gang crisis in Italy is associated with profiles with Conduct Disorder (CD) and alexithymia. Risk factors and warning signs for prevention include unmanaged bullying, academic failure, and a profound emotional and social void. Prevention in pediatric and social settings is crucial: it requires an integrated approach for the early detection of neurodevelopmental [...]
ABSTRACT Thrombocytopenia is a frequent finding in pediatric practice, yet its interpretation requires a systematic and integrated approach. Causes range from transient post-infectious forms to congenital or neoplastic disorders. This article offers a concise update on the diagnostic and therapeutic approach, in line with the latest Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP) recommendations [...]
Il pediatra di libera scelta (PLS) rappresenta una figura cardine dell’assistenza territoriale italiana: non solo assicura la gestione clinica del bambino, ma assume funzioni preventive, educative, relazionali e di sanità pubblica. L’Accordo Collettivo Nazionale (ACN) ne definisce i compiti e gli obblighi professionali, mentre la normativa sulla responsabilità sanitaria (legge 24/2017, cd. “Gelli-Bianco”) e le [...]
ABSTRACT Otitis media, particularly otitis media with effusion (OME) and recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM), are among the most common conditions in pediatric age and represent a diagnostic and management challenge for primary care pediatricians. An accurate differential diagnosis is crucial to prevent inappropriate treatments and avoid long-term complications, particularly those affecting language development and [...]
ABSTRACT Pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), primarily Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are on the rise and represent an increasing clinical challenge. Their pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving a complex interaction between genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and diet. Environmental influences, particularly during early childhood, play a crucial role by modulating the gut microbiota and affecting mucosal [...]
ABSTRACT Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Italy and pose a major social, health, and economic burden. Growing evidence indicates that atherosclerotic processes begin in childhood. Pediatricians play a pivotal role in early identification of at-risk populations and in implementing primary prevention through the management of key modifiable risk factors such as [...]
ABSTRACT This article addresses the issue of early detection of psychiatric disorders in minors placed in reception centres and residential care homes. These settings host children and adolescents with traumatic life experiences, including abandonment, abuse, forced migration, and relational instability. Psychopathology in developmental age often presents in subtle and atypical ways, making the adoption of [...]
