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Triceps, biceps, subscapular and supra-iliac skinfold measurements were taken on 871 children, aged 7-14, in three Roman schools. Girls have larger skinfolds than boys; the values at every site increase with age. Boys present an increase in skinfold measurements until 11 years, then a decrease, more marked at 14 years. Skinfold measurements are a method to assess the amount of fat in the body. Age reference curves, prepared from many Authors, in various parts of the world, show differences between different populations. Skinfold reference data for Italian population therefore are necessary.

A cross-sectional study on 64 institutionalized and 65 noninstitutionalized elderly women has been undertaken. The age range was 60 through 90 years. Vitamin C status was assessed by serum ascorbic acid measurement and the nutritional status was evaluated by a three-day dietary record and main anthropometric measurements. Mean concentration of ascorbic acid was 1.03 mg/dl in the noninstitutionalized and 0.67 mg/dl in the institutionalized group (p less than 0.001). A serum ascorbic acid level less than 0.2 mg/dl was found in one (1.5%) and seven (10.9%) subjects respectively (p less than 0.03). Mean intake of vitamin C was 104.1 mg/d in the former and 87.3 mg/d in the latter group (p = NS), being less than 45 mg/d in 16 living at home and 11 institutionalized women. Serum ascorbic acid level did not correlate significantly to dietary nutrient intake but correlated to activity of daily living level (r = 0.29), vitamin C intake (r = 0.23), ideal body weight (r = -0.15), relative body weight (r = 0.15) and body mass index (r = 0.14). Suggestions are made concerning a higher intake of vitamin C and a more careful catering to improve the health status of the elderly people living in large institutions. The authors also suggest to include the serum ascorbic level determination in the assessment of the general health status of the elderly.

Clinical records from 4820 outpatients who required assistance after animal bites during 1986 at the "Antirabid Center" of Rome were collected and analysed. The study was carried out to investigate epidemiology of animal bites among our population and the proportion of people who received post-exposure antirabid prophylaxis. We noted a high proportion of people submitted to rabies immunization after animal bites (44% received at least one dose of HDCV vaccine), in spite of the fact that rabies is absent from Central Italy since many years in both wild and domestic animals (being present, on the contrary, in Northern Italy). These considerations suggest the opportunity of a substantial revision of the official Recommendations, and we feel that a differential policy should be adopted in rabies enzootic areas (Northern Italy) compared to those where risk is only potential.

Records of clinical assistance and of post-exposure antirabies prophylaxis from 4820 outpatients who attended the Antirabies Center of Rome following animal bites in 1986 were analysed. We observed a high proportion of people submitted to active immunization (44% received at least one shot of HDCV vaccine) in spite of the fact that rabies is absent from Central Italy since many decades in both wild and domestic animals. These considerations suggest the opportunity of a major revision of the official recommendations for rabies prevention, and we feel that different policies should be adopted in rabies enzootic areas (such as Northern Italy) compared to those where the risk is only potential. Immunization should be avoided after bites by rodents; passive immunization should be added to the vaccine after bites by wild animals in enzootic areas, while bites by cats and dogs, even uncaptured, will not be necessarily followed by vaccination in non enzootic areas.

Blood pressure levels and related factors such as age, sex, body mass index, socioeconomic level and family were studied in a group of 398 young subjects. A high incidence of subjects with borderline hypertension was confirmed. The results analysed and discussed the conclusion being reached that the form of arterial hypertension may be considered as either the onset or at least a risk factor or stable hypertension.

Complement fixing (C.F.) antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni were detected in 83 slaughterhouse workers and 83 blood donors. Workers were aged 18-65 years (mean, 41.7 +/- 12.3) and had worked in the slaughterhouse for 2-40 years (mean, 17.5 +/- 5.1). C.F. antibodies were detected according to Mosimann's method and by including five antigens: Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica types 03 and 09, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Brucella. Positive titers were found in 12.1% of workers and in 2.4% of control subjects (p less than 0.01); values ranged from 1:10 to 1:40. Frequent and close contact with animals or their products was significantly associated with seropositivity. No association was found with the time of employment. Sixty per cent of seropositive workers referred rheumatological symptoms. These findings confirm that slaughterhouse workers exposed to potential sources of C. jejuni have elevated titers of antibodies. Attention has, therefore, to be focused on breaking the chain of transmission as a means of control.

In order to find out whether there is any relationship between blood pressure, body mass index, weight, heart rate in youth and arterial hypertension later on in life, 212 subjects (16-26 years of age) were re-examined 2 years later. Previous blood pressure level were very significantly associated with present blood pressure levels A relationship was also discovered with the other parameters measured 2 years earlier: weight, body mass index and heart rate. These findings confirm the fact that it is possible to detect future hypertensives early in life and to take effective preventive measures.