Luca Pecoraro

Dr. Luca Pecoraro

University of Verona, Verona, Veneto, Italy

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

10Years (2017-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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22 November 2021 in Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SBsimona barni
simona barni
SAStefania Arasi
Stefania Arasi
Carla MastrorilliCarla Mastrorilli
Carla Mastrorilli
LPLuca Pecoraro
Luca Pecoraro
MGMattia Giovannini
Mattia Giovannini
ENElio Massimo Massimo Novembre
Elio Massimo Massimo Novembre
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic clinical-pathologic disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal epithelium with esophageal dysfunction symptoms.EoE can occur at any age and has different clinical manifestations depending on the age onset.To date, esophago-gastroduodenal endoscopy (EGD) with biopsy is the gold-standard for EoE diagnosis.According to the recent consensus guidelines, proton pump inhibitors, corticosteroids and elimination diets could be a first-line therapy option. The aim of the treatment is clinical and histological remission for preventing long-lasting untreatable fibrosis.A multidisciplinary approach (allergist, gastroenterology, dietitian, and pathologist) is recommended for managing patients affected by EoE, given the complexity of its treatment.This review will provide a practical guide to assist pediatricians treating children with EoE.Moreover, it highlights the unmet needs in diagnosis and treatment that require urgent attention from the scientific community in the aim of improving the management of patients with EoE.

5 June 2020 in Journal of Nutritional Science
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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LMLucia Martini
Lucia Martini
LPLuca Pecoraro
Luca Pecoraro
CSChiara Salvottini
Chiara Salvottini
GPGiorgio Piacentini
Giorgio Piacentini
RARichard Atkinson
Richard Atkinson
APAngelo Pietrobelli
Angelo Pietrobelli
The vitamin status of a child depends on many factors and most of the clinical studies do not take into account the different access to adequate nutrition of children coming from different countries and the consequent major differences in micronutrients or vitamin deficits between low-income and high-income countries. Vitamin supplements are included in the general field of dietary supplements. There is a large amount of not always factual material concerning vitamin supplements, and this may sometimes create confusion in clinicians and patients. Inadequate information may lead to the risk of attributing beneficial properties leading to their over-use or misuse in the paediatric field. Vitamin supplementation is indicated in all those conditions in which a vitamin deficiency is found, either because of a reduced intake due to reduced availability of certain foods, restrictive diets or inadequate absorption. The lack of guidelines in these fields may lead paediatricians to an improper use of vitamins, both in terms of excessive use or inadequate use. This is due to the fact that vitamin supplementation is often intended as a therapy of support rather than an essential therapeutic tool able to modify disease prognosis. In fact, various vitamins and their derivatives have therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially in emerging conditions of paediatric age such as type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present article is to analyse the state of the art and consider new perspectives on the role of vitamin supplements in children.

21 March 2024 in Current Obesity Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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CPCarolà Panzeri
Carolà Panzeri
LPLuca Pecoraro
Luca Pecoraro
ADAlice Dianin
Alice Dianin
ASAndrea Sboarina
Andrea Sboarina
OAOlivia C. Arnone
Olivia C. Arnone
APAngelo Pietrobelli
Angelo Pietrobelli
Purpose of Review: This study is to examine potential micronutrient deficiencies and any need for supplementation in children following specific diet plans in the first 1000 days of life. Recent Findings: Optimal nutrition in the first 1000 days of life has a lifelong positive impact on child development. Specific intrauterine and perinatal factors, pathological conditions, and dietary restrictions can represent potential risk factors for micronutrient deficiencies in the first 1000 days of life, which can have negative systemic consequences. Preterm and low-birth-weight infants are intrinsically at risk because of immature body systems. Children affected by cystic fibrosis are prone to malnutrition because of intestinal malabsorption. The risk of micronutrient deficiency can increase in various situations, including but not limited to children following selective dietary regimens (vegetarian and vegan diets and children affected by specific neuropsychiatric conditions) or specific dietary therapies (children affected by food allergies or specific metabolic disorders and children following restricted diet as a part of therapeutic approach, i.e., ketogenic diet for epilepsy). In light of this situation, the micronutrient status in these categories of children should be investigated in order to tailor strategies specific to the individual’s metabolic needs, with a particular focus on deficiencies which can impair or delay the physical and cognitive development of children, namely, vitamin B12, vitamin D and folic acid, as well as oligo-elements such as iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3. Summary: Identification of micronutrient deficiency in the first 1000 days of life and timely supplementation proves essential to prevent their long-term consequences. Graphical

8 April 2022 in Biomolecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MPMichele Piazza
Michele Piazza
MCMaria Di Cicco
Maria Di Cicco
LPLuca Pecoraro
Luca Pecoraro
Michele GhezziMichele Ghezzi
Michele Ghezzi
DPDIEGO PERONI
DIEGO PERONI
Pasquale ComberiatiPasquale Comberiati
Pasquale Comberiati
Long Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) refers to the persistence of symptoms related to the infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This condition is described as persistent and can manifest in various combinations of signs and symptoms, such as fatigue, headache, dyspnea, depression, cognitive impairment, and altered perception of smells and tastes. Long COVID-19 may be due to long-term damage to different organs—such as lung, brain, kidney, and heart—caused by persisting viral-induced inflammation, immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, diffuse endothelial damage, and micro thrombosis. In this review, we discuss the potential and biologically plausible role of some vitamins, essential elements, and functional foods based on the hypothesis that an individual’s dietary status may play an important adjunctive role in protective immunity against COVID-19 and possibly against its long-term consequences.

17 June 2024 in Biomolecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
FPFlavia Padoan
Flavia Padoan
EPElena Piccoli
Elena Piccoli
APAngelo Pietrobelli
Angelo Pietrobelli
Luis A. MorenoLuis A. Moreno
Luis A. Moreno
GPGiorgio Piacentini
Giorgio Piacentini
LPLuca Pecoraro
Luca Pecoraro
Zinc is an important trace element for growth and health at pediatric ages. Zinc is fundamental in inflammatory pathways, oxidative balance, and immune function. Zinc exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by modulating Nuclear Factor-kappa (NF-κB) activity and reducing histamine release from basophils, leukocytes, and mast cells. Furthermore, its antioxidant activity protects against oxidative damage and chronic diseases. Finally, zinc improves the ability to trigger effective immune responses against pathogens by contributing to the maturation of lymphocytes, the production of cytokines, and the regulation of apoptosis. Given these properties, zinc can be considered an adjunctive therapy in treating and preventing respiratory, nephrological, and gastrointestinal diseases, both acute and chronic. This review aims to deepen the role and metabolism of zinc, focusing on the role of supplementation in developed countries in pediatric diseases.

18 November 2024 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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FBFrancesco Bellinato
Francesco Bellinato
MMMaria Marocchi
Maria Marocchi
LPLuca Pecoraro
Luca Pecoraro
Marco ZaffanelloMarco Zaffanello
Marco Zaffanello
MGMicol Del Giglio
Micol Del Giglio
ERerika rigotti
erika rigotti
Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) affect 3–10% of infants, 10% of whom need topical or systemic beta-blocker therapy. Propranolol is the first choice for IHs with a high risk of complications. Since more than half of IHs leave a permanent mark, to reduce outcomes, it is essential to start oral propranolol (2–3 mg/kg/day in 2 doses/day) within the 5th month of life (i.e., during the proliferative phase) and to complete the therapy cycle for at least 6 months. This review aims to summarise the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of IHs and to highlight the importance of proper referral to specialised hub centres. Patients with vascular anomalies, particularly those suspected of having IH, should be referred to a specialised centre for accurate diagnosis, management by a multidisciplinary team, and timely treatment. IHs may pose life-threatening, functional, and aesthetic risks or may ulcerate. Segmental infantile haemangioma of the face/neck and the lumbosacral regions can be associated with various malformations. To ensure timely specialist evaluation and treatment to reduce the potential risk of complications, it is essential to identify high-risk IHs rapidly. The Infantile Haemangioma Referral Score (IHReS) scale is an important tool to assist primary care paediatricians and general dermatologists.