General and Specialist Paediatrics (MEDS-20/A)
The Pediatrics section is currently composed of 2 UOCs and 4 UOSDs which, while interacting closely with each other, pursue different interests and research projects ranging from the study of newborns to older children. The most current fields of research concern the study of various problems involving the development of the healthy child and the sick child.
As far as neurology is concerned, the interest of the Pediatrics Section is focusing on the neuroprotective role of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and other Neurotrophic Factors in pediatric brain and spinal injuries, as well as on pediatric pain therapy and palliative care. From a cardiological point of view, we are studying new therapeutic approaches for cardioprotection in states of myocardial distress and on the morphofunctional diagnostics of congenital heart disease.
In the field of allergy, the study of the various aspects of cow's milk allergy, the diagnostic accuracy of specific questionnaires in pediatric persistent asthma and the safety of the single-dose oral provocation test in Acute Allergic Enterocolitis Syndrome represent the main areas of interest.
In the nephro-urological field we are focusing on the follow-up of prenatal pyelectasis and on the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor in voiding dysfunctions. In addition, there is the evaluation of the cognitive profiles of patients with spina bifida in relation to quality of life and soft tissue ultrasound as a screening for occult spinal dysraphisms. The pathogenesis and therapy of periodic fevers and rheumatological diseases are the prerogative, on the other hand, of rheumatological research. With regard to infectiology, our Institute is working on several fronts, including the outcome of Toxoplasma and congenital CMV infections, the neuro-behavioral outcome of FAS, the new diagnostic markers of tuberculosis disease and the intrafamilial epidemiology related to COVID-19. In addition, we are working on the implementation of the use of ultrasound in the management of lung infections of the lower respiratory tract.
In the field of rare diseases, the Paediatrics Section is working on the identification of new genes involved in the pathogenesis of malformation syndromes, the evaluation of new diagnostic tools, the understanding of different paediatric aspects in disabling conditions, the development of new drugs, telemedicine and transition models.
As far as the oncology sector is concerned, currently the lines of research concern supportive therapies and the management of side effects, toxicity from medium and long-term chemotherapy and the innovative follow-up program of children born to mothers with cancer during pregnancy. Further impetus is directed towards new drugs for the treatment of pediatric solid tumors, with particular reference to advanced neuroblastoma and neuroprotection in low-grade gliomas of the optic pathways. Also on the neonatological side, research has various fields of interest, such as newborn hearing loss, mild encephalopathies, prevention and monitoring of neonatal hypoglycemia in term, preterm and therapeutic hypothermia, early-onset sepsis, non-immune idiopathic hydrops fetalis. Recently, lines of research are also being developed concerning the role of the maternal and neonatal microbiota in spontaneous preterm birth and neonatal respiratory outcomes and the maternal-fetal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
