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The incidence of eating disorders in children, mainly of anorexia nervosa, is dramatically increased in the last years. A timely identification of the disease is associated with higher rates of recovery. Aim of the work is to underline signs and symptoms that can be used to an early detection of anorexia nervosa in the pediatric age. A scoping review has been conducted by The Italian Pediatric Society Adolescent Study Group according to the PRISMA Extension guidelines for Scoping Reviews, using the search term "anorexia nervosa" and the following filters "review", "systematic review", "age 0-18", "last 4 years". The strategy search produced 657 studies, of which 52 were included in this revision. Screening and red flags were discussed in 23 reports, genetics in 12, neurological pathways in 11, environmental factors in 10, and gut microbiota in 7. An accurate physiological and pathological anamnesis, physical and psychological examination, including the body perception, should be taken in account as well as the presence of co-morbidities, including chronic functional abdominal pain and autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases. Evidence suggests the role of familiar predisposition as well as of neurological morphology and pathway in anorexia nervosa development. Gut microbiota has also been included among possible risk factor for developing anorexia nervosa due to a complex direct and indirect interactions between gut and brain. The Italian Pediatric Society Adolescent Study Group suggests performing an accurate familial and personal anamnesis, including psychological evaluation as well as a physical exam including auxological parameters as a screening tool during pediatric checks to better explore the risk of developing anorexia nervosa., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe eating disorder primarily affecting children and adolescents. Disorders of the gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) have gained recognition as significant symptoms in individuals with AN. However, limited studies have explored GI symptoms in pediatric populations with AN using age-specific diagnostic tools. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of DGBIs, their associated psychopathological aspects and their potential correlations with ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption among pediatric AN patients. The study included AN patients who were under the care of a specialized multidisciplinary team. We assessed DGBI-related symptoms using the Rome IV Pediatric Diagnostic Questionnaire on Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (R4PDQ) and conducted psychological evaluations. Dietary intake and UPF consumption were evaluated. Among 56 AN patients, we observed a lower prevalence of DGBIs (functional constipation: 61%; functional dyspepsia: 54%; irritable bowel syndrome: 25%) compared to the existing literature. The psychological assessments revealed high rates of depression (72%) and anxiety (70%). UPF consumption was inversely related to depression levels ( p = 0.01) but positively correlated with functional constipation ( p = 0.046). This study highlights the importance of using age-specific diagnostic tools and emphasizes the crucial role of a specialized multidisciplinary team in the treatment of AN.

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorders which may potentially led to a high risk of health medical complications, suicide and self-harming behaviour. Since Covid-19 pandemic onset in March 2020, evidence suggested an increase occurrence of AN. The main aim of the retrospective analysis is to define the cost of hospitalization in the acute phase (HAP) at IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy, over 2 years study. Secondary purposes are defining the main risk factors for a prolonged hospitalization (including age, sex and comorbidities) and the possible influence of Covid-19 pandemic on AN admission and hospital stay., Methods: for the purpose of the study, we included children and adolescents aged less than 18 years, admitted to IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy, with a diagnosis of AN. Medical costs were calculated consulting the Lazio Regional Health Service Tariffs. Basing on the date of hospital admission, patients were later divided into two subgroups: subgroup A included patients hospitalized prior than Covid-19 onset (from March 2019 to February 2020) and subgroup B those admitted after (from March 2020 to October 2022)., Results: a total of 260 patients has been included in the study with a median age of 15 years (range 6-18 years). The total health care cost of AN hospitalized patients was of EUR 3,352,333 with a median cost of EUR 11,124 for each admission (range EUR 930 - 45,739) and a median daily cost of EUR 593 (range EUR 557-930). Median cost was higher in case of comorbidities, guarded patients, enteral feeding. A prolonged hospitalization has been documented in subgroup A with a higher economic burden., Conclusions: the economic burden of eating disorders is of note. Adequate sanitary policies as well as health economic analyses are required to gain insight into the cost-effectiveness of AN management., Trial Registration: 2526-OPBG-2021., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a rare condition caused by the compression of the duodenum, which may occur in the case of fast weight loss. Currently, the relationship between superior mesenteric artery syndrome and anorexia nervosa is still unclear. The aim of this study is to identify the precocious clinical signs and symptoms of SMAS in patients affected by anorexia nervosa so as not to delay the diagnosis., Methods: We present the clinical case of a young female patient with anorexia nervosa complicated by SMAS. We performed a literature review of SMAS in children affected by anorexia nervosa between 1962 and 2023, according to the PRISMA Extension Guide for Scoping Reviews., Results: Reviewing the literature, 11 clinical cases were described for the pediatric age. The median age at diagnosis was 17 years (ranging from 13 to 18 years). The diagnosis of SMAS may be challenging as symptoms overlap those of anorexia, but it should be kept in mind mostly in cases of post-prandial abdominal pain, anxiety or depression, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss., Conclusion: Even specific clinical symptoms may act as flag tags to drive attention to this rare but potentially fatal condition.

Vitamin B12 (or cobalamin) is an essential vitamin for DNA synthesis, fatty acid and protein metabolism as well as other metabolic pathways fundamental to the integrity of cells and tissues in humans. It is derived from the diet and mostly stored in the liver. Its deficiency has been associated with metabolic derangements, i.e., obesity, glucose intolerance, increased lipogenesis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and steatohepatitis (MASH). However, data with regard to body weight across the whole spectrum (from underweight to severe obesity) in children and young individuals are scarce. The present study aims to describe the association between serum total vitamin B12 and body mass index (BMI) ranging from underweight to severe obesity in a large population of children, adolescents and young adults. This study also investigates associations with visceral adiposity, glucose and lipid metabolism and liver dysfunction. A cross-sectional, single-centre study was conducted at the Paediatrics and Endocrinology units of the "Bambino Gesù Children Hospital", a tertiary referral institution for eating disorders. Clinical charts were reviewed and 601 patients aged from 5 to 25 years were enrolled in order to analyse anthropometric, auxological, clinical, biochemical and liver ultrasound data using robust statistical approaches. Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. A reduction in serum total B12 levels was associated with a linear increase in body weight, as expressed by WHO BMI SDS (r = -0.31, p < 0.001, BCa 95% -0.38, -0.24). Lower B12 levels were associated with higher waist circumference but only in pubertal girls (r = -0.33, p = 0.008, BCa 95% -0.53, -0.11). Hepatic insulin resistance was higher in males with lower B12 levels (B = -0.003 (-0.007, -0.0001), p = 0.039), but not in females, whereas whole-body insulin resistance was unaffected. Serum lipid profiles (total, HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were not influenced by serum cobalamin levels. However, lower cobalamin levels were associated with higher grading of ultrasound-scored hepatic steatosis ( p trend = 0.035). Lastly, both AST and ALT showed a significant and direct correlation with total B12 levels in underweight (r = 0.22 and 0.24, p = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively) and severely obese subjects (r = 0.24 and 0.32, p = 0.002 and <0.001). In conclusion lower vitamin B12 levels are associated with higher body weight, adiposity and with worse metabolic health in a large population of children, adolescents and young adults.

Background: Social distancing and quarantine imposed by the authority during the COVID-19 pandemic caused restrictions, which had a negative impact on eating behavior, especially among adolescents. We proposed a retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders risk and symptoms., Methods: In this study, a group of 127 pediatric patients (117 females and 10 males) with eating disorders admitted to the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital of Rome (Italy), in the period between August 2019 and April 2021, was analyzed. All patient data were collected from patients' electronic medical records., Results: We found that 80.3% of patients were at the onset of eating disorders and that 26% of patients had familiarity for psychotic disorders. Often these patients had comorbidities and alterations in blood parameters such as leukocytopenia, neutropenia, hypovitaminosis and hormonal problems that could affect their future., Conclusions: Our findings could provide a framework for developing clinical and educational interventions to mitigate the short- and long-term negative impact of the pandemic on adolescent future health., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Nutritional rehabilitation with weight restoration is an important step in patients hospitalised for anorexia nervosa (AN). Naso-gastric feeding (NGF) should be considered when oral nutrition (OF) and oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) are insufficient. We evaluated the role of NGF on short- and long-term outcomes, considering weight gain, the length of hospitalisation (LOS) and the time to relapse. We report on the characteristics of patients under 18 years of age with AN admitted to the Department of Emergency and Acceptance of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, between March 2019 and August 2022. Three hundred and fifteen patients were enrolled. We compared patients treated with NGF (group A) and patients without NGF (group B). Group A was characterised by a significantly lower BMI on admission and discharge, more frequent use of inpatient psychotropic therapy (IPDT) and longer hospital stay. The time to relapse was significantly longer in group A compared to group B. An early NGF setting correlates with a longer time to relapse and may be associated with a shorter LOS. A high caloric intake with a balanced nutritional formula provided by NGF allows an earlier recovery. The main advantages of this approach could be the rapid discharge of patients and a more effective psychological and social recovery.

Background: Varicella is considered a mild and self-limiting disease, but, in some cases, it may complicate and require hospitalization. Antibiotics are not the first line therapy but in some cases are prescribed either for the management of varicella-related complications or as a preventive strategy. Aim of this study is to analyze the rate and the patterns of antibiotics used in pediatric patients hospitalized for varicella as well as the relative costs in order to increase insights in antibiotic use in varicella., Methods: Patients less than 18 years hospitalized for varicella at the Bambino Gesù Children's IRCCS Hospital in Rome, Italy, from the 1 st of November 2005 to the 1 st of November 2021 entered the study. Retrospective data were collected from the hospital's database electronic medical records. The rate, the patterns and the costs of antibiotics used were considered., Results: According to the inclusion criteria, we enrolled 810 patients, with a median age of 2.4 years. Out of them, 345 patients (42.6%) underwent antibiotic therapy, of which 307 for a complication (90.0%) and the other 10.0%, antibiotic for the fear of developing complications. The cost for varicella hospitalizations was EUR 2,928,749 (median cost EUR 2689). As for antibiotic therapy, it represented the 5.9% of the total cost (EUR 174,527), with a median cost of EUR 198.8. The cost in patients who underwent antibiotic therapy was significantly higher than in those who did not (p-value < 0.0001), as well as the hospitalization length (p-value < 0.0001). The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were Amoxicillin-clavulanate and Ceftriaxone, which represented the 36.0% and 25.0% of all antibiotic prescription, respectively. Antibiotics may negatively affect the economic cost of hospitalization and the prescription is not always in accordance to guidelines, with potential important repercussions on the development of antimicrobial resistance. Actually, resistance to antibiotics is considered a major risk to the future health of the world population as it may lead to longer hospital stay, increased risk of mortality, health care costs and treatment failures., Conclusion: Strategies to reduce economical cost, hospitalization length and antimicrobial resistance include ensuring appropriate prescription and administration of empiric antibiotics as well as reducing the circulation of preventable infectious diseases through immunization., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a disabling and chronic genodermatosis characterized by mucocutaneous fragility with blister formation after minimal trauma. Severity ranges between very mild forms to extremely severe or lethal subtypes. Depending on disease subtypes, blisters may be localized also in larynx, bladder, esophagus, and most frequent disease complications are malnutrition, chronic anemia, osteoporosis, limb contracture and early development of squamous cell carcinomas. EB is classified into four major groups: EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic EB (DEB) and Kindler EB (KEB). No specific treatment is available; however, a multidisciplinary management is mandatory in order to treat the lesions, to prevent complication, and to give a psychological support to the patient and family members., Objective: To report the experience on a therapeutic education plan of an Italian reference center for epidermolysis bullosa in the last 30 years., Methods: In our study we included all patients with EB from 1990 to the present, dividing them into three age groups (< 5 years, > 5-12 years and > 12-18 years). The therapeutic plan involved all multidisciplinary team members, since born until adolescence. The multidisciplinary team has been progressively established; the dermatologists act as patient case manager, in collaboration with the pediatrician, endocrinologist, dietician, dentist, plastic surgeon, digestive surgeon, geneticist, psychologist and a dedicated nurse. Other dedicated specialists are involved upon patient needs., Results: Two hundred fifteen patients have been recruited and followed in our hospital since 1990. One hundred forty patients (65%) are on follow-up, 27 patients (13%) died and only 11 (5%) were lost to follow-up. Our patients manifested the specific complications related to their EB subtype in keeping with the data reported in the literature. Eighteen (8%) patients affected with JEB severe died within the first year of life, 9 patients (5%) died for squamous cell carcinoma in adulthood and were affected with recessive DEB; only 1 patient died for squamous cell carcinoma at the age of 16., Conclusions: An adequate management of EB patients require a multidisciplinary approach with an educational plan to guarantee an appropriate treatment and to support and accompany patients and their families since birth along life. The dynamic educational plan adopted in our hospital showed good clinical and psychological outcome in our population, allowing adherence to treatment, reducing the frequency of complications and improving life expectancy and quality of life., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a severe hereditary disease characterized by defective epithelial adhesion causing mucocutaneous fragility. The major types are EB simplex (EBS), junctional EB (JEB), dystrophic EB (DEB) and more than 35 EB subtypes. Another very rare type of EB is Kindler EB (KEB). Clinically, it is a very heterogeneous disease which ranges from localized to extensive skin lesions with frequent multisystem extra cutaneous involvement. The role of a pediatrician-dermatologist cooperation within a multidisciplinary team is fundamental for both the diagnosis and management contributing to these patients' better life expectancy. Aim of this study is to describe clinical and laboratory characteristics of the main EB subtypes focusing on nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects, providing information to aid the paediatric management of children with EB. This retrospective study reviewed the cases of 160 pediatric EB patients (76 male and 84 female): 31 patients affected by EBS (mean age ± SD: 4.37 ± 7.14), 21 patients affected by JEB (mean age ± SD: 9.26± 17.30) and 108 with DEB (mean age ± SD: 11.61 ± 13.48). All patients were admitted at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome, between June 2005 to June 2020. The reduced gastrointestinal absorption, chronic losses, esophageal stenosis and chronic inflammatory state, represent the basis of nutritional problems of EB patients. In particular, anemia represents one of the most important complications of DEB patients which could require transfusion-dependent patterns. Malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies and anemia have been related to growth delay in EB patients. A specific diet with a balance of all macronutrients is required and improving caloric intake with sugar limitations is fundamental to prevent dental caries and tooth decay typical of EB patients. While sepsis proved to be the major cause of morbidity and mortality in younger patients, squamous cell carcinoma was mostly observed in older patients, especially those affected by DEB. Patients with EB require regular monitoring for complications and sequelae with a frequency of evaluations which varies based on age and EB subtypes. Cooperation among medical teams involving paediatricians, dermatologists, specialist clinicians including nutritionists such as families and patient's association is fundamental to approach the disease and improve the quality of life of these patients., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Emergency Departments play a pivotal role in detecting cases of child abuse. Despite the efforts made in the past decades on the need for a screening method for the early detection of abuse victims, a unique instrument shared by the international scientific community has not been made. These instruments should be able to help recognizing whether it is necessary to further investigate the child's condition. The aim of the study is to illustrate the screening indicators in use since 2010 in the Emergency Department of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital to early recognise the victims of abuse and the modifying process of the screening tool undertaken over the years., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the process that led to the editing of the indicators of child abuse in use nowadays at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital. We codified three clinical pathways to apply in case of suspected abuse. Furthermore, we investigated the medical records of screening-positive accesses in the Paediatric Emergency Department of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital from January 2008 to October 2020., Results: An estimation of positive screening, regarding the type of abuse suspected, and the number of accessed in ED was made, resulting in a cohort of 956 patients. In 2010 we created a list of 14 items grouped in three clusters: anamnestic declarations or incongruences, carelessness/neglect and evident lesions at physical examination. Positivity to one of the items allows the actuation of the investigating protocol named as clinical pathway.In 2013, after three years of experience, the criteria were edited to increase specificity. The application of screening led to a median number of 82 suspected cases/year from 2013 to 2020., Conclusion: A screening tool is essential and productive for the early recognition of victims of abuse. An in-deep analysis of suspected cases through a standardized method, such as the clinical pathway, allowed reaching the diagnosis in a more accurate and precise manner., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Varicella is a common pediatric infection. Even if it generally has a benign course, it may complicate and require hospitalization. The aim of our study was to estimate the acute hospitalization cost (AHC) for varicella in the acute phase in a pediatric population., Methods: We calculated the AHC of pediatric patients admitted for varicella at Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy, from 1 November 2005 to 1 November 2020., Results: In the study period, 825 pediatric patients affected by varicella were hospitalized. The mean hospitalization cost was EUR 4015.35 (range from EUR 558.44 to EUR 42,608.00). Among patients, 55% were unvaccinable due to either their age or their immunosuppression status. They would benefit from herd immunity, reducing the overall AHC by EUR 182,196,506. Since the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against varicella in Italy, we observed a significant reduction in AHC cost of 60.6% in 2019 and of 93.5% in 2020. Finally, from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we documented a decline of 81.2% and 76.9% in varicella hospitalization, compared to 2018 and 2019, respectively., Conclusions: Varicella AHC is an important economic and health assessment point and can be useful for improving preventive strategies.

Introduction: Medical and psychiatric complications and treatment compliance are important considerations in determining the treatment program for patients with severe anorexia nervosa (AN). Clinical practice guidelines agree that an outpatient program is the first choice for the treatment of most eating disorders, but vary in supporting these programs for AN. However, inpatient care is known to be costly and the risk of relapse and readmission is high. This pilot study aimed to describe the first data on an Italian partial hospitalization care program for AN adolescents [high-level care treatment (HLCT)], evaluating its impact on patients' clinical status, average hospitalization time, and the hospital costs compared to inpatient treatment (IP). Methods: For this retrospective pilot study, we have selected a group of 34 females with AN aged 11-18 years, divided between those who followed inpatient treatment and those who received HLCT treatment; they were matched for age and severity. We investigated the differences in treatment and outcomes between the two groups in terms of heart rate, length of treatment, weight gain, psychological characteristics, and hospital costs. Statistics for non-parametric distributions were used to compare the two groups. Results: No differences between the two groups were found at admission. At discharge, patients in the HLCT group presented a lower number of in-hospital treatment days, a higher increase of weight, and a significant improvement in outcomes compared to the inpatient group. No significant differences were found in heart rate and hospital costs. Conclusions: This study represents a first comparison between inpatient care and the HLCT treatment program, which suggests that day hospital treatment could represent a meeting point between inpatient and outpatient treatment, combining the merits of both forms of treatment. Further studies are needed in order to better investigate the different treatment programs for severe AN in adolescence., 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 Zanna, Cinelli, Criscuolo, Caramadre, Castiglioni, Chianello, Marchili, Casamento Tumeo, Guolo, Tozzi and Vicari.)

Background: Vitamin K, a fat soluble vitamin, is a necessary cofactor for the activation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, and protein C and S. In neonatal period, vitamin K deficiency may lead to Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)., Case Presentation: We present the case of a 2 months and 20 days Caucasian male, presented for bleeding from the injections sites of vaccines. At birth oral vitamin K prophylaxis was administered. Neonatal period was normal. He was exclusively breastfed and received a daily oral supplementation with 25 μg of vitamin K. A late onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding was suspected. Intravenous Vitamin K was administered with complete recovery., Conclusions: Nevertheless the oral prophylaxis, our case developed a VKDB: it is necessary to revise the current guidelines in order to standardize timing and dosage in different clinical conditions.

Background: Anorexia Nervosa is a Psychiatric eating disorder of adolescence age with a high morbidity and mortality., Case Presentation: We describe a common case of anorexia nervosa (AN) in a female adolescent complicated by less known conditions related to refeeding syndrome. At admission, the girl showed a mild hypercholesterolemia with progressive normalization of the values. The initial low hypertransaminasemia worsened after refeeding until very high levels and hypophosphoremia was also described. Only a controlled caloric intake and a specific electrolyte supplementation led to the improvement of hematologic values and the clinical condition of the patient., Conclusions: Refeeding complications must be always suspected because of life-threatening risk. More attention should be paid not only to the acute state of the disease but also to the prevention and the management of refeeding-related manifestations.

Context and Objective: Despite convincing evidence that oral and injected amoxicillin have equal efficacy in children with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospitalized children often receive injected antibiotics. To investigate whether shared decision-making (choosing the antibiotic route) influences parental satisfaction., Design, Setting and Participants: In a one-year questionnaire-based study, we enrolled consecutive children hospitalized for CAP. At admission, all children's parents received a leaflet on CAP. Parents arriving during the daytime were assigned to a shared group and could choose the antibiotic route, those admitted at other times were assigned to an unshared group for whom physicians chose the antibiotic route. Shared group parents answered anonymous questionnaire investigating why they chose a specific route. Parents in both groups answered another anonymous questionnaire at discharge assessing perceived satisfaction with care., Main Outcome Measure: Parents' satisfaction with perceived medical information as assessed by data from a questionnaire., Results: Of the 95 children enrolled, more children's parents were assigned to the unshared than the shared group (77 vs. 18). Of the 18 children's parents in the shared group, 14 chose the oral antibiotic route mainly to avoid painful injections. Doctors explanations were considered better in the shared than in the unshared group (P = 0.02)., Discussion and Conclusions: The larger number of children's parents assigned to the unshared group reflects paediatricians' reluctance to offer shared-decision making. Well-informed parents prefer oral antibiotic therapy for children with severe CAP. Allowing parents choose the antibiotic route respects parents' wishes, reduces children's pain and improves satisfaction., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: There are 72 families with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in Romania. Since 2012 a National Program for the treatment of these patients is run by the Ministry of Health.The objectives of the strategies for EB patients are to optimize the management (diagnosis, treatment, monitoring) and to provide actual information on classification and patho-physiology which dictate the course of the disease., Methods: An international expert panel of specialists produced by consensus the recommendations for the management of EB cases in Romania taking into account the local possibilities. Patient association proposals were included. A review of the literature was performed to up-date the information., Outcomes: A strategy for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the patients with EB was elaborated in clear steps. Pharmacological treatments and wound care indications are provided together with a useful score for patient evaluation., Conclusion: These recommended strategies are allowing dermatologists to generate an individualized care plan for patients with EB.