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Pertussis has re-emerged as a significant public health concern in Europe and an outbreak has been recently described in Italian newborns and infants. Maternal vaccination is a crucial strategy for protecting infants too young to be vaccinated. At present, data on vaccination coverage among pregnant women in Italy are lacking. A national online survey targeting Italian mothers with infants <12 months of age was conducted in May–July 2024 to assess pertussis vaccination coverage during pregnancy, as well as knowledge, attitude, and barriers to vaccination. Among 404 participants, 37.4 % had not received the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy, due to misinformation (59.6 %), concerns about safety (15.2 %), and prior vaccination or infection (7.3 %). Additionally, 9.4 % of participants were unaware that pertussis is preventable by vaccination, 7.9 % did not consider pertussis a serious disease. Vaccination coverage varied significantly by region, with a north-south gradient (72.6 % in the north vs. 49.7 % in the south, p < 0.001). Regions with lower maternal vaccination rate exhibited a higher number of hospitalized infants for pertussis. Factors influencing missed maternal vaccinations were: being from southern Italy (aOR 8.339, 95 % CI 2.813–24.716), misinformation about pertussis vaccination during pregnancy (aOR 18.564, 95 % CI 4.620–74.587), and fear of side effects (aOR 2.560, 95 % CI 1.044–6.277). Maternal pertussis vaccination coverage in Italy is suboptimal, contributing to the recent outbreak. Misinformation, safety concerns, and regional disparities are significant barriers. Targeted educational interventions for general population and healthcare providers, along with on-site vaccination opportunities, are essential to improve vaccination coverage and to prevent future outbreaks. • An online survey was given to 404 mothers who were pregnant during 2023 or 2024. • Almost 40 % of interviewed mothers had not been vaccinated against pertussis during pregnancy. • Reasons for non-vaccination included misinformation and fear of potential adverse events. • The low adherence to prenatal vaccination contributes to the recent pertussis outbreak in Italy. • Implementing educational campaigns and on-site vaccinations is crucial for increasing vaccination rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine psychosocial differences between children with Long-COVID Syndrome (LCS) and two control groups (i.e., children who did not have COVID-19 and children who had previously had COVID-19 but did not develop LCS) from a bio-psycho-social and psychosomatic perspective. To classify children in these three groups, we examined the percentage of children meeting criteria for LCS, the type, frequency, perceived severity of symptoms, and their prevalence compared with children who never had SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data were collected from 198 Italian mothers of children aged 4 to 13 years using a cross-sectional web-based case-control survey. Of these, 105 were mothers of children who had contracted SARS-CoV-2 and 94 were mothers of children who had previously had COVID-19. Information was collected on the type and frequency of symptoms commonly referred to as "Long-COVID symptoms" and psychosocial dimensions (i.e., maternal and child health anxiety, COVID-19 anxiety, adjustment, and child deprivation). Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests, Student's T -Test, and analyses of variance were performed. 29 children (15% of the total sample) developed LCS, mostly in the neurological/neuropsychiatric domain (59%), and of mild intensity. Regarding psychosocial and psychological dimensions, maternal health anxiety, child deprivation, and fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection differed between groups, with the first two dimensions higher in children with LCS than in controls and the latter lower in children with LCS than in controls. This study sheds light on the need of integrating a psychosocial approach into the medical care of children with LCS and their caregivers. • Psychosocial variables may influence Long-COVID Syndrome (LCS) in children. • 15% of children developed LCS, mainly in the area of neurological symptoms. • Maternal health anxiety, child deprivation, and fear of COVID-19 influenced LCS. • Integrating a psychosocial approach into childcare is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To describe the effectiveness of a population-based newborn hearing screening program in an economically deprived region of southern Italy. Methods: A screening protocol was proposed for all newborns of the Campania region, starting on January, 2007. For infants identified with hearing loss, information on degree and type of hearing loss and presence of risk factors was collected. Results: The infants born in the 3-year study period were 182,188. Among them, 146,026 (80%) were tested with OAE. Sensorineural hearing loss ≥40dBnHL was established for 159 infants (1.1×1000). Among the NICU and WIN infants, the rate of hearing loss was respectively 9×1000 and 0.67×1000. Follow-up information was available for 111 children (70%), as 48 (30%) got care in other regions or health facilities. Most infants were fitted hearing aids by 1 month after diagnosis and 15 children (13.5%) received a cochlear implant at a mean age of 25 months (SD 10). Conclusions: Even in a setting of population poverty, a universal newborn screening program can deliver satisfactory outcomes. The coverage and the tracking system of the program need to be improved, as well as the cooperation between public and private health services. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]