The triple-I (interactive, intersectorial, interdisciplinary) approach to validate 'omics' investigations on body fluids and tissues in perinatal medicine.

Proteomics and metabolomics are emerging in recent years as one of the most challenging topics in neonatology. They are characterized by a large amount of data that reflect the complexity of all biological systems more accurately than traditional methods utilized in clinical chemistry. In this review paper we present the modifications of the salivary proteome, which represents an easy and non-invasive method that offers the opportunity to investigate changes in the metabolism of preterm infants and in pediatric patients. Moreover, we present the metabolomics-histologic correlations in newborn piglets at baseline and following normocapnic hypoxia and reoxygenation. A new method of data analysis, here summarized as the "triple-I" approach will be finally discussed: interdisciplinary, intersectorial, interactive.