Adelina Ionescu

Dr. Adelina Ionescu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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Alexandru HerdeaAlexandru Herdea
Alexandru Herdea
AIAdelina Ionescu
Adelina Ionescu
MDMihai-Codruț Dragomirescu
Mihai-Codruț Dragomirescu
Alexandru UliciAlexandru Ulici
Alexandru Ulici
Background: Vitamin D is an essential component in calcium metabolism. Seasonality, advanced age, sex, dark skin pigmentation, and limited exposure to sunlight were reported as causes of vitamin D deficiency. This study aims to determine whether children with lower levels of vitamin D suffer more fractures than those with sufficient levels. Materials and Methods: Our institution underwent a prospective case–control randomized cross-sectional single-blinded study that included 688 children. They were split into two groups: the study group and the control group. The study group received supplements of vitamin D and calcium for 6 months. Another reference cohort was observed, which comprised 889 patients in the pediatric ward for different respiratory or gastroenterological conditions without a history of fractures. This group was used for age–sex matching tests. Results: Logistic regression showed that with every one unit increase of vitamin D level, the chance of having a middle third fracture in both bones of the forearm decreased by 7% (OR 1.07); distal third fracture incidence decreased by 1.03 times; middle third radius fracture incidence decreased by 1.03 times; distal third radius fracture incidence decreased by 1.06 times. The risk of having a distal third both-bone forearm fracture increased by 1.06 times with every year of age. Comparing the healing process, we noticed an improvement in bony callus formation for patients in the study group. Conclusions: Dosing the serum level of 25-OH-vitamin D should be taken into consideration for pediatric low-energy trauma fractures. Supplementing with vitamin D and calcium throughout childhood can be a solution for healthy bones. Our preliminary results show that the normal level of vitamin D in children should start at 40 ng/mL.

30 May 2023 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AIAdelina Ionescu
Adelina Ionescu
MDMihai-Codruț Dragomirescu
Mihai-Codruț Dragomirescu
Alexandru HerdeaAlexandru Herdea
Alexandru Herdea
Alexandru UliciAlexandru Ulici
Alexandru Ulici
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a progressive condition that lacks clear diagnostic and management protocols, due to insufficient data. While some advocate for universal screening, others recommend using risk factors as landmarks. In this study, we aimed to assess the risk factors associated with DDH incidence among a large population. We conducted a retrospective single-center multifactorial study between January 2019 and March 2022, including 3720 children who were investigated anamnestically, clinically, and through an ultrasound scan. We classified them into two groups: the control group with 3300 healthy children and the study group with 420 newborns diagnosed with DDH. Our analysis identified several risk factors associated with DDH, including gender, prematurity, non-vertex birth presentation, oligohydramnios, gestational diabetes, maternal hypertension, family history, associated deformities, and swaddling. We found that every DDH patient had at least two risk factors. Based on our findings, we recommend that children who present two or more risk factors for DDH be mandatorily evaluated sonographically, as well as children with clinical signs. DDH screening is recommended for each newborn for the long-term benefits of early detection and treatment.

30 August 2024 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Alexandru HerdeaAlexandru Herdea
Alexandru Herdea
Harun MarieHarun Marie
Harun Marie
AIAdelina Ionescu
Adelina Ionescu
DSDiana-Mihaela Sandu
Diana-Mihaela Sandu
SPSara-Teodora Pribeagu
Sara-Teodora Pribeagu
Alexandru UliciAlexandru Ulici
Alexandru Ulici
Background: 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency is a global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations, with implications for musculoskeletal health and overall well-being. This study aimed to evaluate serum 25(OH)D levels in a pediatric population and assess the prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 741 pediatric patients (2–17 years old) who visited an urban hospital for children for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions in the span of 2 years. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency, seasonal variations, and correlations with age and daylight exposure. Results: Of the 739 pediatric patients analyzed, a substantial proportion exhibited insufficient (31.80%) or deficient (36.54%) serum 25(OH)D levels. While younger age groups generally had higher mean 25(OH)D levels, a negative correlation was observed between 25(OH)D levels and age. Sunlight exposure variations did not significantly impact serum 25(OH)D levels. Despite diverse daylight exposure patterns, there were no significant differences between longer and shorter daylight periods. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency in the pediatric population, emphasizing the need for public health monitoring and targeted supplementation strategies. Findings underscore the importance of regular consultations with healthcare providers to ensure optimal 25(OH)D levels in children, with potential implications for revising current sufficiency thresholds. Addressing 25(OH)D deficiency is crucial for promoting musculoskeletal health and overall well-being in children.

9 August 2025 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MPMihai Bogdan Popescu
Mihai Bogdan Popescu
Harun MarieHarun Marie
Harun Marie
Alexandru UliciAlexandru Ulici
Alexandru Ulici
SISebastian Ionescu
Sebastian Ionescu
AIAdelina Ionescu
Adelina Ionescu
Alexandru HerdeaAlexandru Herdea
Alexandru Herdea
Background/Objectives: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity often requiring surgical correction in severe cases. Halo-gravity traction (HGT) is commonly employed preoperatively to enhance spinal flexibility and reduce curve severity. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of HGT in reducing Cobb angles in AIS and to assess how patient age, skeletal maturity (Risser score), and curve type (Lenke classification) influence treatment response. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 28 AIS patients with Cobb angles > 65° who underwent preoperative HGT followed by posterior spinal fusion. Traction was applied for a mean of 24.64 days, reaching 40–50% of each patient’s body weight. Radiographic measurements were collected pre-traction, post-traction, and postoperatively. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, Pearson correlations, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and linear regression. Results: Mean primary Cobb angle was reduced from 82.46° pre-traction to 61.00° post-traction (26.09% reduction) and further to 29.54° postoperatively (64.58% total reduction). Similar reductions were observed in secondary curves. No statistically significant correlations were found between age or Risser score and the magnitude of correction. Lenke type 3 showed the highest traction response, while type 5 had the greatest surgical gain. Curve type and skeletal maturity did not significantly affect final outcomes. Conclusions: Halo-gravity traction is a safe and effective adjunct in the surgical treatment of severe AIS, achieving substantial Cobb angle reduction. The degree of correction was not significantly influenced by age, Risser score, or curve type, supporting the broad applicability of HGT across adolescent patients.