[A case of meningococcal sepsis]. / Un caso di sepsi meningococcica.

We describe a 7-years boy by with a meningococcal sepsis due to Neisseria Meningitidis, with very serious evolution of cutaneous necrosis, initial D.I.C. and heart failure. The clinical picture do not improve with antibiotic therapy (CAF-penicillin), but the association ceftriaxone + tobramycin results in rapid improvement. The cutaneous necrosis, especially evident on gluteus, arms and legs, were treated locally with AgNO3 and penicillin-solution. After 4 weeks of treatment, also this cutaneous involvement improved and now the boy is healthy, without residual signs neither systemic nor cutaneous.

[A case of severe combined immunodeficiency]. / Su un caso di immunodeficienza combinata grave.

The case described presented notable problems of diagnosis and treatment. The rapid onset of a massive tumoral syndrome in an infant with bronchiolitis dramatically worsened the clinical picture and led to the infant's death, posing the problem of the forms of congenital immune deficiency that may be associated with various aplastic and dysplastic haemopoietic alterations. The possibilities of treating such early hyperacute cases are limited given the lack of knowledge about the effects of drugs in such young children and the rapid deterioration of the patient's condition.

[Hypothesis for a pre- and post-natal relationship between mother and child]. / Ipotesi per un rapporto comunicativo pre- e post-natale tra madre e figlio.

The increasing interest in prenatal life triggered this study of the hypothetical possibilities of communication between mother and foetus. In this context, sound in the general sense is of capital importance since it permits the creation of an affective-cognitive bond between mother and child. The possibility of assessing this echographically adds extra interest to a problem that is already stimulating and open to a variety of horizons.

[Usefulness of plasmapheresis in the treatment of Blackfan-Diamond erythroid aplasia. Presentation of a case]. / Utilità della plasmaferesi nel trattamento dell'aplasia eritroide di Blackfan-Diamond. Presentazione di un caso.

Plasmapheresis was attempted in a case where all other treatment had failed. As widely reported in the literature plasmapheresis is outstandingly effective in cases where antibodies are suspected and even in the absence of any such suspicion, its use is justified by the good results obtained. It is suggested that plasmapheresis is essential in the treatment of the particular pathology considered.

[Assistance for the thalassemic child in a child care center]. / L'assistenza al bambino thalassemico in un ospedale periferico.

Problems associated with running a new thalassaemic child care center are described. In addition to well documented treatment problems, the search for new diagnostic approaches and psychological support for the rest of the family are also important factors.