Risk factors associated with children lost to care in a state early childhood intervention program

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with children lost to care, and their families, compared to those not lost to care within the California Early Start Program. The cohort included data on 8987 children enrolled in the Early Start Program in 1998. This cohort consisted of 2443 children lost to care, 6363 children not lost to care, and 187 children that were lost to follow-up due to death or moving outside the state of California. Premature birth was the only medical risk factor in this study related to an increased risk of loss. Family risk factors exert a significant effect on loss to care. Risk factors that are predictive of loss to care include mother's age and educational level, Medi-Cal ineligibility, and lack of transportation. By identifying and examining risk factors for loss to care, interventions may be strengthened to promote continued family participation in early intervention services.     

Gummy smile: clinical parameters useful for diagnosis and therapeutical approach

In the analysis of the characteristics of a pleasant smile, a gummy smile has negative components, which most affect the esthetics of non-verbal communication. For this purpose a proposed classification based upon etiopathogenetic criteria as useful indications for a therapeutical approach is given. The nature of a high smile line can be: dento-gingival, connected to an abnormal dental eruption, which is revealed by a short clinic crown; muscular, caused by an hyperactivity of the elevator muscle of the upper lip; dento-alveolar (skeletal), due to an excessive protuberance or vertical growth of the jawbone (maxillary); lastly, a mixed nature, in the presence of more than one of the above described factors The diagnosis of gummy smile must be precocious and based, with reference to specific parameters, upon a careful analysis of the etiopathogenetic factors and the degree of seriousness of the alteration. A correct treatment plan must contemplate the possibility of an orthognatodontic, orthopedic and/or surgical therapeutic resolution considering the seriousness and complexity of the gums exposures (high smile line) in connection with the age of the subject.     

Tracheomalacia associated with Mounier-Kuhn syndrome in the Intensive Care Unit: treatment with Freitag stent. A case report

Tracheomalacia is a process characterized by softness of the supporting tracheal cartilages, by the extension of the posterior membranous wall and by reduction of the tracheal antero-posterior diameter. Exceptionally, tracheomalacia can be associated with tracheobronchomegaly or Mounier-Kuhn syndrome. Fibro-bronchoscopy represents the 'gold standard' for diagnosis. The case of a 79-year-old male observed after hospitalization in a medical ward for chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) decompensation, and with basal left bronchopulmonary focus, is described. During this period, a progressive worsening of clinical conditions occurred, despite cortisone and antibiotic therapy, and the patient was transferred to the ICU for dyspnea, hypoxia, hypocapnia and with a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. Bronchoscopy, performed during spontaneous breathing, revealed tracheomalacia which was responsible for tracheal dynamic complete stenosis during expiration and dynamic subtotal stenosis of the left primary bronchus in the first tract, together with sputum retention. Moreover, this investigation confirmed the diagnosis of tracheobronchomegaly already seen on CT. It was suggested to place a Freitag stent, since the insertion of another model would not have had enough chance of stability, due to the enormous extension of the tracheal lumen and could not have guaranteed good clearance of the secretions. Seven days after this intervention, performed in an outpatients' setting, the patient was dismissed from the ICU, without the help of O2, with good ventilation, saturation in line with his age and good expectoration.     

Removal of impacted teeth. Indications and contraindications

After reporting the classification and the etiopathogenesis of the dental inclusions, the Authors discuss the advisabilities and the drawbacks for their removal, on the basis of a personal study.     

Papilloma of the palate. Clinical and histopathology

An asymptomatic, exophytic and unusually large mass of hard and soft palate is presented. Its papillary surface architecture is characteristic of an oral squamous papilloma. The cause is unknown. Recurrent or malignant change, or both, are possible.