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Intracranial hemorrhage may represent a complication of the perinatal period that affects neonatal morbidity and mortality. Very poor data exist about a possible association between mutations of the type IV collagen a1 chain ( COL4A1 ) gene and the development of intracranial hemorrhage, and only sporadic reports focus on intracerebral bleedings already developing in utero or in the neonatal period in infants with such a mutation. This study presents a case series of term neonates affected by intracranial hemorrhage, with no apparent risk factors for the development of this condition, who were carriers of COL4A1 gene variants. This study also provides a review of the most recent scientific literature on this topic, specifically focusing on the available scientific data dealing with the perinatal period., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Bersani, Ronci, Savarese, Piersigilli, Micalizzi, Maddaloni, Dotta, Braguglia, Longo and Campi.)

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) represent one of the main risk factors for venous thrombotic events (VTEs) in children., Methods: We studied the Italian Registry of Pediatric Thrombosis (RITI) with regard to systemic radiologically confirmed CVC-related VTEs (CVC-VTEs) occurred during 6.5 years in children aged 29 days to 18 years., Results: A total of 78 CVC-VTEs were included, which occurred in 76 patients (40/76, 53% males). CVC-VTEs comprised 67 non-cardiac VTEs (86%) and 11 intracardiac thrombotic events (ICTEs) (14%); the median age at onset was 19 and 17 months, respectively. The most frequent reason for CVC insertion was supportive therapy. The catheters were placed percutaneously in 85% of cases (56/66) and surgically in the remaining 15% (10/66). Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) were used in 47% (31/66) cases, partially implanted catheters in 42% (28/66), non-implantable catheters in 7% (5/66), and totally implanted catheters (Port) in 2% (1/66). CVC-VTEs were symptomatic in 77% of cases (60/78), while in the remaining 23%, they were incidentally detected on the imaging performed for the underlying condition. The median time between CVC insertion and the onset of symptoms was 10 days in non-cardiac VTEs and 39 days in ICTEs. Doppler ultrasound was the diagnostic technique most frequently used. The venous compartment most frequently affected was the veins of the lower extremities (52%, 43/73). Anti-thrombotic treatment was administered in 96% of CVC-VTEs (75/78). About 2.6% (2/76) of patients experienced a second thrombotic event. At discharge, post-thrombotic syndrome was reported in 13.5% (5/37) events with available data, CVC replacement in 10.8% (4/47), and ischemic necrosis with toe finger amputation in 2.7% (1/37). Three patients died due to an underlying condition; no CVC-VTE-related deaths were reported., Conclusions: We have carried out a registry-based study on CVC-VTEs in the children in Italy, providing the data that may help improve the detection and management of this CVC-related complication., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Lasagni, Nosadini, Molinari, Saracco, Pelizza, Piersigilli, Putti, Gaffuri, Giordano, Lorenzoni, Francavilla, Trapani, Luciani, Suppiej, Tufano, Tormene, Martinato, Gregori, Sartori, Simioni and The Systemic Thromboses Working Group of the Italian Registry of Pediatric Thrombosis (RITI Registro Italiano Trombosi Infantili).)

Perinatal asphyxia and the possible sequelae of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) commencing within the first 6 h of life-currently the only treatment validated for the management of HIE-has been proven to reduce the mortality rate and disability seen at follow up at 18 months. Although there have been attempts to identify neurobiomarkers assessing the severity levels in HIE; none have been validated in clinical use to date, and the lack thereof limits the optimal treatment for these vulnerable infants. Metabolomics is a promising field of the "omics technologies" that may: identify neurobiomarkers, help improve diagnosis, identify patients prone to developing HIE, and potentially improve targeted neuroprotection interventions. This review focuses on the current evidence of metabolomics, a novel tool which may prove to be a useful in the diagnosis, management and treatment options for this multifactorial complex disease. Some of the most promising metabolites analyzed are the group of acylcarnitines: Hydroxybutyrylcarnitine (Malonylcarnitine) [C3-DC (C4-OH)], Tetradecanoylcarnitine [C14], L-Palmitoylcarnitine [C16], Hexadecenoylcarnitine [C16:1], Stearoylcarnitine [C18], and Oleoylcarnitine [C18:1]. A metabolomic "fingerprint" or "index," made up of 4 metabolites (succinate × glycerol/(β-hydroxybutyrate × O-phosphocholine)), seems promising in identifying neonates at risk of developing severe HIE., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Debuf, Carkeek and Piersigilli.)

Fungal infections may complicate the neonatal clinical course, and the spectrum of therapies for their treatment in the perinatal period is limited. Polyenes, Azoles and Echinocandins represent the three classes of antifungal drugs commonly used in the neonatal period. The present review provides an overview about the most recent therapeutic strategies for the treatment of fungal infections in neonates., (Copyright © 2019 Bersani, Piersigilli, Goffredo, Santisi, Cairoli, Ronchetti and Auriti.)

Aim of the study: In selected surgical neonates and infants, the rapidity of induction and intubation may represent an important factor for their safety. Propofol is an anesthetic characterized by a rapid onset and fast recovery time that may reduce time of anesthetic induction and improve post-anesthetic outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anesthesia induction in full-term neonates and young infants after propofol bolus administration. Methods: A retrospective case-control study including infants below 6 months of age, undergoing general anesthesia between 2011 and 2013, was carried out. Patients that received intravenous propofol bolus to induce anesthesia were compared to patients who received inhaled sevoflurane. Time to reach successful orotracheal intubation (OTI) was measured in seconds. The quality of OTI was defined as "excellent," "good," and "poor," based on established classification and was reported. Hemodynamic parameters as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SaO2) were collected before OTI (t0), at OTI (t1), and at spontaneous breathing recovery (t2). Main adverse effects were recorded for both groups. Results are median (IQ range) or prevalence; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 160 infants were enrolled in the study, 80 received propofol and 80 inhaled sevoflurane. Major surgery (involving organs in the thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic cavities) was performed in 64 and 54% of patients in the propofol and sevoflurane group, respectively ( p = 0.07). Patients in the propofol group showed a shorter time for OTI [11.5 (4.0-65) vs. 360.0 (228.0-720.0) seconds, ( p < 0.0001)]. No difference was found in the quality of OTI between the two groups. No significant complications were recorded in either group. Conclusions: Propofol is a safe and effective anesthetic in neonates and infants permitting rapid induction of anesthesia and rapid intubation, without negative impact on the quality of intubation and haemodynamic compromise.