Pediatrics

The main areas on which the group's research focuses are Pediatric Diabetology/Endocrinology and Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

The Pediatric Clinic takes part in multicenter studies with major national and international pediatric study groups, addressing key pediatric diseases from both clinical and epidemiological perspectives.

In the field of diabetology, the group's research is focused on precision diagnosis and treatment of monogenic forms of diabetes, type 1 diabetes with studies related to epidemiology, pathogenesis, acute complications (ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia), and new technologies for diabetes monitoring and care (sensors, insulin pumps, and advanced hybrid systems). A digital facilitator has been developed and tested through high-fidelity simulations at the SIMNOVA – UPO center, designed to guide clinicians in the rigorous application of national guidelines for the proper management of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis.

In the field of endocrinology, areas of interest include:

- Evaluation and prevention of childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome; study of dietary habits and adherence to the Mediterranean diet;

- Diagnosis evaluation of genetic obesity;

- Evaluation of short stature (neuroregulation and GH deficiency, genetic causes);

- Diagnosis and therapy of thyroid disorders.

In the field of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, research focuses on food-related disorders (celiac disease) and neonatal nutrition, particularly the promotion of breastfeeding. Thanks to funding from a ministerial research contract, an epidemiological registry is active on breastfeeding practices at discharge, post-discharge control, at one month, and at six months of life for infants born at the local birthing center, aiming to identify areas of action to support and promote breastfeeding, also through public awareness.

- Antoniotti V, Amore M, Caputo M, Fania C, Mancioppi V, Casoli G, Tini S, Antonioli A, Aimaretti G, Rabbone I, Bellone S, Prodam F. Glucose Alterations, Insulin Resistance, Arterial Hypertension, and Renin are Strictly Associated in Pediatric Obesity. J Endocr Soc. 2023;7(8):bvad088.

- Giorda CB, Gnavi R, Tartaglino B, Favella L, Romeo F, Migliardi A, Ferro S, Rabbone I. An update on the incidence of type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic years. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2023 Oct;25(10):3068-3070. doi: 10.1111/dom.15182.

- Monzani A, Marcolin S, Giorda S, Epis F, Babral M, Valentino K, Scotti L, Felici E, Rabbone I. Determinants of Adherence to a Gluten-Free Diet in Children with Celiac Disease and the Influence of the Methods Used to Assess It. Nutrients. 2023;15(11):2455.     

- Partenope C, Pedranzini Q, Petri A, Rabbone I, Prodam F, Bellone S. AVP deficiency (central diabetes insipidus) following immunization with anti-COVID-19 BNT162b2 Comirnaty vaccine in adolescents: A case report. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1166953.

- Monzani A, Minelli G, Rabbone I. Reduced burden of antibiotic prescription in an italian pediatric primary care clinic during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic: a shot in the arm for antimicrobial resistance? Ital J Pediatr. 2023;49(1):40.

- Scaramuzza AE, Cherubini V, Rabbone I. Open-Source Automated Insulin Delivery in Type 1 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2022 Nov 24;387(21):2006-2007.

- Monzani A, Borgogna C, Ferrante D, Ciacchini B, Felici E, Gariglio M, Rabbone I. #Stayathome If You Have a Cold: High SARS-CoV-2 Salivary Viral Loads in Pediatric Patients with Nasopharyngeal Symptoms. Viruses. 2022;15(1):81.

- Mancioppi V, Antoniotti V, Solito A, Mingoia E, Monzani A, Genoni G, Rabbone I, Prodam F, Bellone S. Evolution of Subclinical Hypothyroidism Diagnosed in the First 3 Months of Life in Newborns Living in North Italy: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Children (Basel). 2023;10(1):118.

- Monzani A, Savastio S, Manzo A, Scalogna A, Pozzi E, Sainaghi PP, Della Corte F, Rabbone I. Not only for caregivers: intranasal glucagon for severe hypoglycaemia in a simulation study. Acta Diabetol. 2022;59(11):1479-1484.

- Rabbone I, Monzani A, Scaramuzza AE, Cavalli C. See-sawing COVID-19 and RSV bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age in Northern Italy. Acta Paediatr. 2022;111(11):2174-2175.

- Rabbone I, Tagliaferri F, Carboni E, Crotti B, Ruggiero J, Monzani A, Bonetti L, Soliani M, Bellone S, Cavalli C, Scaramuzza AE. Changing Admission Patterns in Pediatric Emergency Departments during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy Were Due to Reductions in Inappropriate Accesses. Children (Basel). 2021;8(11):962.

-   Antoniotti V, Spadaccini D, Ricotti R, Carrera D, Savastio S, Goncalves Correia FP, Caputo M, Pozzi E, Bellone S, Rabbone I, Prodam F. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Better Metabolic Features in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 29;14(3):596

-  Rabbone I, Savastio S, Pigniatiello C, Carducci C, Berioli MG, Cherubini V, Lo Presti D, Maltoni G, Mameli C, Marigliano M, Minuto N, Mozzillo E, Piccinno E, Predieri B, Rigamonti A, Ripoli C, Schiaffini R, Lombardo F, Tinti D, Toni S, Zanfardino A, Scaramuzza AE; vEC Study Group Significant and persistent improvements in time in range and positive emotions in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using a closed-loop control system after attending a virtual educational camp. Acta Diabetol. 2022 Jun;59(6):837-842

Active collaborations with national and international scientific societies (SIEDP/ISPAD/SID/SIE, SIP/SIPPS, SIGENP/ESPGHAN, SIN).

Part of the completed and ongoing research projects are conducted in collaboration with the SIMNOVA – UPO center.

Active intra-departmental (DiSS) and inter-departmental (DIMET and DISUM) collaborations.

National Operational Program 2014-2020 - Ministerial Decree August 10, 2021, No. 1062, research contracts on GREEN THEMES (ACTION IV.6);

Training grant funding for Psychologist research (AGD Novara-e Minerali Industriali);

Breastfeeding Project funding (Orsana);

Funding from the Foundation Comunità Novarese onlus and Rotary Club Novara for the project "Ti racconto la celiachia”

Prof. Ivana Rabbone, Associate professor

Prof. Simonetta Bellone, Associate professor

Dott. Alice Monzani, researcher

Dott. Silvia Savastio, PhD student

Dott.ssa Cristina Partenope, PhD student

Dott.Valentina Antoniotti, PhD student

Dott. Ciro Pignatiello, Psychologist Research Fellow