Federico Pezzotta

Dr. Federico Pezzotta

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 October 2024 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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FPFederico Pezzotta
Federico Pezzotta
NSNicola Sarale
Nicola Sarale
GSGiordano Spacco
Giordano Spacco
GTGiacomo Tantari
Giacomo Tantari
EBEnrica Bertelli
Enrica Bertelli
MBMarta Bassi
Marta Bassi
The case report shows the safety and efficacy of insulin treatment with Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop (AHCL) system in a young patient affected by permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM) due to chromosome 8 deletion syndrome involving the GATA4 gene. In the first days of life, he presented hyperglycaemia and started an intravenous insulin infusion therapy, replaced by a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) with Medtronic Minimed 780G® insulin pump (Medtronic, Northridge, CA, USA). At the age of 2 years, the off-label activation of SmartGuard® automated insulin delivery mode led to a great improvement in glycaemic control, reaching all recommended targets. At the 1-month follow-up visit, Time in Range (TIR) increased from 66% to 79%, with a Time in Tight Range (TTIR) of 55% and a reduction of 11% in time in hyperglycaemia and of 2% in time in hypoglycaemia. During the entire follow-up, no episodes of ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycaemia were observed and the patient maintained the glycaemic recommended targets reached at 1 month. Maintaining optimal glycaemic control and reducing hyperglycaemia are essential for brain growth and neurocognitive development in young patients. AHCL use should be considered to ensure good glycaemic control in patients affected by neonatal diabetes.

23 February 2024 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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TBTommaso Bellini
Tommaso Bellini
GBGIACOMO BRISCA
GIACOMO BRISCA
IOIoannis Orfanos
Ioannis Orfanos
MMMarcello Mariani
Marcello Mariani
FPFederico Pezzotta
Federico Pezzotta
AMAndrea Moscatelli
Andrea Moscatelli
Aim: To provide a comprehensive description of the clinical features, biochemical characteristics, and outcomes of infants up to 90 days old with COVID-19. Moreover, to assess the severity of the disease and propose an effective management pathway. Methods: Retrospective single-center study spanning three years. Patient data includes age, sex, symptoms, comorbidities, blood and urine test results, cultures, admission, length of stay, therapies, intensive care unit admission, and mortality. Results: A total of 274 patients were enrolled in the study, comprising 55% males. Among them, 60 patients (22%) were under the age of 29 days, while 214 (78%) fell within the 29 to 90 days age range. The overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was 0.28 per 10,000 Pediatric Emergency Department admissions. Blood inflammatory markers showed no significant abnormalities, and there were no recorded instances of positive blood cultures. Less than 1% of infants showed urinary tract infections with positive urine cultures, and 1.5% of patients had a concurrent RSV infection. Hospitalization rates were 83% for neonates and 67% for infants, with a median length of stay (LOS) of 48 h for both age groups. None of the patients required admission to the Pediatric or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and only one required High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC). No secondary serious bacterial infections were observed, and all hospitalized patients were discharged without short-term sequelae. No deaths were reported. Discussion and Conclusions: Infants with COVID-19 generally exhibit milder or asymptomatic forms of the disease, making home management a viable option in most cases. Blood tests, indicative of a mild inflammatory response, are recommended primarily for children showing symptoms of illness. Hospitalization precautions for infants without apparent illness or comorbidities are deemed unnecessary. Given the evolving nature of experiences with COVID-19 in infants, maintaining a high level of clinical suspicion remains imperative.

11 February 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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TBTommaso Bellini
Tommaso Bellini
FVFrancesco Vinci
Francesco Vinci
GPGiulia Polleri
Giulia Polleri
FPFederico Pezzotta
Federico Pezzotta
LGLuca Grasselli
Luca Grasselli
Pasquale StrianoPasquale Striano
Pasquale Striano
Background: Although home births provide personal and intimate experiences, they pose potential risks that may be better managed in hospital settings. The safety of home birth remains highly debated, with no consensus on its safety or potential adverse events, and its adoption varies widely across the world. In Italy, the Italian Society of Neonatology opposed this practice, resulting in one of the lowest home birth rates in Europe (approximately 0.1% of total births). This study evaluated the impact of planned home births on neonatal health, with a focus on severe complications requiring intervention in the pediatric emergency department (PED). Methods: Cases were collected from patients admitted to IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini Children’s Hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. The analysis focused on neonates born at home, who required emergency care for life-threatening conditions. Results: We identified five cases, with an incidence of approximately 0.65 per 10,000 PED visits and a complication rate of 15–30% for all planned home births. Factors contributing to unfavorable outcomes include lack of advanced medical equipment, timely diagnostics, and comprehensive postpartum screening. Thus, while proponents argue that home births can provide a more comfortable and personalized experience, concerns about safety and associated risks persist. Conclusions: This study aims to highlight the necessity of adopting hospital-level neonatal care protocols for home births, particularly during the critical first 48 h of life, to mitigate risks and ensure optimal neonatal outcomes.

6 November 2024 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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EAErika Alboreto
Erika Alboreto
FPFederico Pezzotta
Federico Pezzotta
FVFrancesco Vinci
Francesco Vinci
Andrea CalandrinoAndrea Calandrino
Andrea Calandrino
LBLaura Banov
Laura Banov
LRLuca A. Ramenghi
Luca A. Ramenghi
Introduction: We report the case of a neonate diagnosed with severe hemophilia A (HA) and conduct a literature review of cases of severe HA presenting at the neonatal age to help define the clinical diagnostic findings and existing differences between the sporadic and familial onset of this condition. Report of a Case: A 6-day-old newborn presented with worsening pallor, inappetence, and hyporeactivity for 48 h. The diagnosis was severe hemophilia A (HA), leading to an unfavorable outcome. A literature review focusing on case reports and series focusing on the clinical expression of HA in neonates was conducted, documenting clinical presentation, family history, and outcomes. Literature review: Forty patients were included. HA was observed in five cases (12.5%) of very preterm births (≤32 weeks) and in four cases (10%) of moderately or late preterm births. Seventeen patients (43%) had a family history, with inheritance being sporadic (21 newborns, 53%) or acquired (2 cases, 4%). Clinical onset typically occurred within the first week of life (approximately 8 out of 10 cases), while only three cases (7.5%) had onset after the first month. Inherited cases presented with hemorrhagic states (nine cases), hypovolemic shock (five cases), or intracranial hypertension (two cases). Sporadic cases showed localized bleeding (11 cases), hypovolemic shock (5 cases), or neurological symptoms like seizures and anisocoria (5 cases). Acquired cases included severe intracranial hemorrhage in one case. Conclusions: Neonatal HA can manifest with severe symptoms and rapid progression, making early diagnosis crucial. Non-specific signs and the absence of coagulophaty disorders in family history can delay diagnosis. Symptoms like prolonged bleeding, cutaneous hematomas, or intracranial bleeding necessitate ruling out major coagulopathy, and neurological signs require immediate imaging to exclude intracranial bleeding.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TBTommaso Bellini
Tommaso Bellini
DFDaniele Franzone
Daniele Franzone
FPFederico Pezzotta
Federico Pezzotta
VAValentina Andreottola
Valentina Andreottola
BLBarbara Lionetti
Barbara Lionetti
GMGirolamo Mattioli
Girolamo Mattioli
A 15-year-old girl was admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department due to abdominal discomfort, anorexia, diarrhea, emesis, and weight loss. An inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis was suspected and a complete endoscopic investigation was deemed necessary. Initially, only colonoscopy with ileoscopy was performed, with evidence of widespread ileal ulcers, whereas a subsequent esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a huge trichobezoar that was further surgically removed. Trichobezoars are intraluminal conglomerates composed of ingested hair and are typically associated with underlying psychiatric disorders. Bezoars can be asymptomatic or present with various gastrointestinal symptoms, mimicking, among other conditions, inflammatory bowel disease. They may extend through the pylorus into the jejunum leading to Rapunzel Syndrome, which may cause intestinal obstruction. The treatment of trichobezoar depends on its location and volume. An endoscopic approach is possible for small-sized trichobezoars, but to avoid bezoar tail migration along the intestine, causing obstruction, conventional laparotomy is the only valid treatment for patients with Rapunzel Syndrome. Due to the increasing incidence of psychiatric disorders in pediatric age during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and their relationship with trichobezoars, an increase in cases of trichobezoars was observed. Thus, interdisciplinary collaboration between psychiatrists, pediatricians, and surgeons is crucial not only during the acute phase but also for long-term management and prevention of recurrence.