[Nutritional studies in a commune of Lazio. Anthropometric data and food consumption in childhood]. / Indagine nutrizionale in un comune del Lazio. Dati antropometrici e consumi alimentari in età scolare.

The present study concerns with anthropometric and nutritional data collected in the school population of a small rural town in Lazio. We studied 368 school-children of both sexes, belonging to the following age groups: from 7 to 8 years, 9 to 10 years, 11 to 12 years, 13 to 14 years. The technique of evaluation of obesity used in this paper is: weight 20% higher than the height-adjusted figure according to NCHS's curves and triceps skinfold higher than 90 degrees centile according to Tanner's curves. Dietary intake was assessed by a "24 hour-recall" on three consecutive days one of which of holiday. The prevalence of obesity is 17.7%. In all the age groups daily caloric intake is adjusted to that recommended by Italian 1987 Larn. On the other hand the single nutrient's assumption shows important differences from Larn. Particularly in all the age groups daily protein intake is high (14.6%-15.8% of the energy in a day), with an increased animal-vegetable protein ratio (1.5-2.1). Dietary lipids are higher than 35.9% of day's energy (35.9%-39.5%); the polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio is low (0.3-0.5). Cholesterol in the diet (231-347 mg/day) exceeds the level recommended. The daily intake of total carbohydrates (45.3%-48.5%) is low. Crude fiber intake increases with age from 2.8 g to 4.5 g/day. There is no statistical difference between obese and not obese subjects for what concerns energy intake or single nutrient's assumption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Adolescents and breast feeding]. / Adolescenti ed allattamento al seno.

The attitudes and future decisions of teenage girls towards infant feeding methods, breast-feeding or bottle feeding have been investigated. A self-conducted questionnaire was completed by 146 secondary school girls ranging in age from 16 to 18 years. Economic convenience, better nutritional value, deeper emotional link with the infant, own and friends past experience nearly always in favour of breast-feeding, represent for the girls the main advantages of breast-feeding. On the other hand, many girls apprehend breast-feeding for various possible physical, psychological and social implications. Some aspects of the problem studied in this paper show a significant correlation with the future choice of infant feeding. The girls would be interested in receiving information at school. Suitable information during school health lessons may positively influence teenage girls to adopt breast-feeding as the infant feeding method of choice.

[Risk factors present in the recreation areas of nursery schools]. / Indagine sui fattori di rischio presenti nelle aree ricreative delle scuole materne.

In order to evaluate the playground risk factors, 45 nursery schools of a USL were investigated. The results show that the risk factors depend mostly on inadequacy of the playground equipment and of its installation and maintenance. Moreover the playground surfaces are frequently nonelastic and the first-aid kits insufficient. Pediatricians have a key position in scholastic accident prevention.

[Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle]. / Pseudoartrosi congenita della clavicola.

A case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is presented. Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare entity that has poorly been documented in the pediatric literature. The etiology and pathogenesis still remain obscure. The clinical and radiological appearances are characteristic. Differential diagnosis lies between postpartum fracture, posttraumatic pseudarthrosis, cleidocranial dysostosis and neurofibromatosis.