Breastfeeding support among re-hospitalized young children: a survey from Italy.

BACKGROUND: In 2021, the Task Force on Breastfeeding of the Italian Ministry of Health released a document calling for the provision of breastfeeding support in case of re-hospitalization of the child after birth. Since type and quality of breastfeeding support during re-hospitalization in Italian Pediatric Units (PUs) is largely unknown, the Breastfeeding Section of the Italian Society of Pediatrics (TASIP) conducted an ad hoc national survey. METHODS: In March 2023, a specifically designed electronic questionnaire was sent to the Directors of 328 PUs, who were requested to fill it online. RESULTS: Data from 161 PUs were received, with a response rate of 48.7%. Our results highlighted that 18.6% of units do not provide training on breastfeeding for healthcare professionals and 46% of PUs lack of an ad hoc policy on breastfeeding support in case of re-hospitalization of the child. Although 88.2% of PUs provide breast pumps to the mothers of the re-hospitalized young children, 34.8% lack of a protocol on the storage of expressed breast milk. CONCLUSIONS: Breastfeeding support for the mothers of hospitalized breastfed young children appears to be suboptimal in Italian PUs. Interventions aimed to structure and improve the quality of breastfeeding support for the mother-child dyad are needed, particularly developing protocols and providing a training on breastfeeding to the majority of healthcare professionals.

The Importance of RSV Epidemiological Surveillance: A Multicenter Observational Study of RSV Infection during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The restrictive measures adopted worldwide against SARS-CoV-2 produced a drastic reduction in respiratory pathogens, including RSV, but a dramatic rebound was thereafter reported. In this multicenter retrospective observational study in 15 Pediatric Emergency Departments, all children <3 years old with RSV infection admitted between 1 September and 31 December 2021 were included and compared to those admitted in the same period of 2020 and 2019. The primary aim was to evaluate RSV epidemiology during and after the COVID-19 pandemic peak. The secondary aims were to evaluate the clinical features of children with RSV infection. Overall, 1015 children were enrolled: 100 in 2019, 3 in 2020 and 912 in 2021. In 2019, the peak was recorded in December, and in 2021, it was recorded in November. Comparing 2019 to 2021, in 2021 the median age was significantly higher and the age group 2-3 years was more affected. Admissions were significantly higher in 2021 than in 2020 and 2019, and the per-year hospitalization rate was lower in 2021 (84% vs. 93% in 2019), while the duration of admissions was similar. No difference was found in severity between 2019-2020-2021. In conclusion, after the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in RSV cases in 2021 exceeding the median seasonal peak was detected, with the involvement of older children, while no difference was found in severity.

Vitamin B6 Neonatal Toxicity.

Vitamin B6 is a micronutrient required by the body. It acts as a coenzyme in biochemical reactions. Vitamin B6 toxicity is not caused by the intake of food-based sources. The few reported cases of vitamin B6 toxicity are always caused by overdosing of nutritional supplements. Chronic toxicity typically occurs with peripheral neuropathy such as paraesthesia, ataxia, and imbalance, paradoxically mimicking vitamin B6 deficiency. However, the prognosis is favorable, and symptoms usually show improvement once excessive vitamin B6 levels return to the physiological range. We report a newborn presenting with diffuse tremor at birth, interpreted as secondary to the mother's intake of high doses of a supplement containing vitamin B6 during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As expected, the newborn's serum levels of vitamin B6 were high. The tremors disappeared when the maternal supplement was stopped.

Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnancy and the impact of recommendations on adherence to guidelines: an Italian area-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus agalactiae, a species of ß-haemolytic streptococcus belonging to Lancefield's group B (GBS), is known as a common infecting agent transmitted to infants during childbirth, causing sepsis, meningitis, or both, with a high incidence of mortality. Following the observation of a great variability between regional laboratories both in the methodology and in the results of tests for the detection of GBS in pregnancy, with high percentages of false negative results, in 2010 the Department for Health Policies of Piedmont, Italian region, issued specific recommendations for adhere to international guidelines. Our aim was to assess whether the impact of the publication of the recommendations has been lasting over time. METHODS: We analyzed the regional birth certificate register from 2006 to 2018, to evaluate the annual number of deliveries, the number of Streptococcus agalactiae tests in pregnancy and the percentage of positive culture results. We also evaluated the consistency of the percentage of positive tests with the expectations based on the guidelines and compared the two time periods before and after introduction of regional recommendations using a multivariate regression model. RESULTS: The mean proportion of women tested for GBS vaginal-rectal swabs during pregnancy increased from 83.5% in 2006 to 90.7% in 2018 with the biggest rise in 2010, the t-test for the comparison of the two means was statistically significant (p < .001). The mean positivity rate increased from 12.7% to 19.2%, with a rise in 2010, with a significant t-test (p < .001). CONCLUSION: The results suggested a significant impact of the recommendations on the compliance and results regarding the carrying out and culture of vagino-rectal swabs for GBS, with better appropriateness of peripartum antibiotic therapy and possible reduction of GBS related neonatal sepsis.

Skin-to-skin contact and delivery room practices: a longitudinal survey conducted in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley.

BACKGROUND: Sudden unexpected postnatal collapse of presumably healthy neonates during early skin-to-skin contact is a rare, yet recognized occurrence, associated with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. A survey was conducted in 2012 in 30 delivery wards throughout Piedmont and the Aosta Valley to evaluate the environmental and logistical aspects that could be linked to SUPC. The survey was again conducted in 2016 in 28 delivery wards in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley in order to evaluate organizational improvements introduced after ministerial indications and recommendations by the Italian Society of Neonatology were published in 2014, in light of new findings regarding the phenomenon. METHODS: A questionnaire specifically asking about the organization of delivery wards, and surveillance or supervision during early skin-to-skin contact, was sent to all of the hospitals taking part in the survey in both 2012 and 2016. The collected data were elaborated anonymously and the statistical analysis was performed by using the two by two table. RESULTS: In 2012, 28 out of 30 delivery wards in Piedmont and Aosta, with a total of 31,074 newborns out of 35,435, were evaluated in all of the environmental and logistical aspects that might be cause for SUPC to occur. An identical survey was taken again in 2016; 26 out of 28 wards participated with a total of 27,484 newborns out of 30,339. In 2012, early skin-to-skin contact took place immediately in all the delivery rooms in 27 wards, and soon after in the post-partum room in one; in 11 out of 28 wards there was early skin-to-skin contact in the operating theater itself, following caesarean sections (11/26 in 2016). Routine newborn care was given after 3 h in 8 delivery wards (7/26 in 2016); after 2 h in 12 (7/26 in 2016); after 1 h in 2 (4/26 in 2016); after 30 min in 3 (2/26 in 2016); after 10 min in 1 (0/26 in 2016); after 1 or 2 min in 1 (0/26 in 2016) and at any time in one ward (6/26 in 2016). CONCLUSION: Periodic surveys of delivery wards are useful for the assessment of all the aspects and risk factors that need to be changed in order to implement safe early skin-to-skin contact.

Rapunzel syndrome: how to orient the diagnosis.

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare form of tricobezoar with a tail extending from the stomach into the small bowel; surgical removal is generally required. About 60 cases have been reported and described in the literature since 1968. We present the case of an 8-year-old girl who, during the course of a genetic consultation, was initially assigned with a clinical suspicion of ectodermal dysplasia. Surgical intervention, which resulted in the extraction of a tricobezoar of enormous size and extension, led us to the diagnosis of Rapunzel syndrome. The possibility of a tricobezoar should be considered in all cases of adolescent patients who present signs of intestinal occlusion or sub-occlusion, suffer from psychiatric disorders, and have a history of trichotillomania. Endoscopic methodology, medical imaging and clinical diagnostics are fundamental for a differential diagnosis. Psychiatric follow-up is advised to prevent recurrence.

Skin-to-Skin Contact in Cesarean Birth and Duration of Breastfeeding: A Cohort Study.

Early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) after birth is a physiological practice that is internationally recommended and has well-documented importance for the baby and for the mother. This study aims to examine SSC with a cohort of mothers or fathers in the operating room after a Cesarean section (C-section) and its relationship with duration of breastfeeding. From January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012, at the Castelli Hospital in Verbania, Italy, a Baby Friendly designated hospital, 252 consecutive women who had a C-section were enrolled in the study and followed for 6 months. The sample was later divided into three groups depending on the real outcomes in the operating room: SSC with the mother (57.5%), SSC with the father (17.5%), and no SSC (25%). Our study showed a statistical association between skin-to-skin contact with the mother and the exclusive breastfeeding rates on discharge. This effect is maintained and statistically significant at three and six months, as compared to the groups that had paternal SSC or no SSC. After a C-section, skin-to-skin contact with the mother can be an important practice for support, promotion, and duration of breastfeeding.