The Influence of Ultra-Processed Foods on Inflammation and Metabolic Health in Pediatric Obesity: A Systematic Review with a Narrative Synthesis Debora Porri, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Alessandra Li Pomi, Elisa La Rosa, Giovanni Luppino, Aurora Lanzafame, Cecilia Lugarà, Roberto Coco, Francesca Franchina, Tiziana Abbate, Carla Fazio, Valentina La Malfa, Letteria Anna Morabito, Giorgia Pepe, Mariella Valenzise, Maria Francesca Messina, Domenico Corica, Tommaso Aversa Nutrients, 2026 The increasing prevalence of childhood obesity has been accompanied by an increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), characterized by high energy density and low nutritional quality. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary patterns rich in UPF may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation and early metabolic dysfunction in children and adolescents. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and markers of inflammation and metabolic health in pediatric populations. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Observational and interventional studies evaluating UPF intake or diet-related inflammatory potential in children and adolescents (≤18 years) were included. Outcomes of interest included inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor-α) and metabolic parameters (e.g., insulin resistance, lipid profile, glucose metabolism). Results: A limited number of studies have directly assessed UPF consumption using the NOVA classification. Overall, these studies suggest a potential association between increased UPF intake and adverse metabolic outcomes, although findings on inflammatory markers remain inconsistent. A larger body of indirect evidence, including studies assessing dietary inflammatory indices and related dietary patterns, consistently supports a link between pro-inflammatory diets and increased inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in pediatric populations. Conclusions: Although direct evidence on UPF consumption remains limited, the available findings, supported by complementary indirect evidence, suggest a plausible relationship between UPF-rich diets, inflammation, and metabolic health in children and adolescents. Further well-designed studies are needed to clarify causality and improve the standardization of dietary assessment methods.
Narrative medicine approach for assessing the emotional experience of children and adolescents treated with daily rhGH and their caregivers Domenico Corica, Cecilia Lugarà, Valentina La Malfa, Maria Pecoraro, Letteria Anna Morabito, Giorgia Pepe, Angela Alibrandi, Tommaso Aversa, Malgorzata Gabriela Wasniewska Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2026 Introduction Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy is a long-term, injective treatment, which can be burdened by emotional burden in patients and their caregivers. Narrative medicine can help the medical team to identify patients who are experiencing this negative emotional burden. Aims of this study were: 1. To investigate the emotional experience and the Health-Related Quality of life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents treated with daily rhGH and their caregivers through a narrative medicine approach. 2. To identify the factors influencing the emotional experience. Methods Patients on rhGH therapy for at least one year were included. Two trained psychologists asked each of the patients and their caregivers three open-ended questions. Data on emotional experience, acceptance of therapy, satisfaction and awareness of treatment, adherence, discomfort towards peers, therapy-related stress, future plans were extrapolated. Patient and parental HRQoL were also assessed. Results Fifty-three pediatric patients were recruited (mean age 12.3 ± 2.87 years; 62.3% male; 30.2% prepubertal). Distress/anxiety was reported in 41.5% of cases. Discomfort toward peers and therapy-related stress were reported in 24.5% and 49.1% of cases, respectively, and both correlated negatively with patients’ emotional experience (p=0.019 and p=0.000, respectively) and acceptance of therapy (p=0.015 and p=0.001, respectively). Patient’s emotional experience was influenced by stress (OR 0.02, 95%CI 0.004-0.132, p= 0.000) and patient’s acceptance of therapy (OR 10.7, 95%CI 3.13-36.5, p=0.000). These latter results were confirmed by multivariate analysis (stress: OR 0.028, 95%CI 0.003-0.251, p=0.001; patient acceptance of therapy: OR 13.1, 95%CI 2.25-76.88, p=0.004, respectively, independently of age and sex. Conclusion The emotional experience of patients on daily rhGH is negatively affected by non-acceptance of therapy and therapy-related stress. The narrative medicine approach is useful in early identification of emotional burden and promote implementation of strategies to improve psycho-social health for both patients and caregivers.
Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Cytological Category in Pediatric Age: Clinical and Surgical Management and Outcome in an Italian Multicentre Retrospective Study Gerdi Tuli, Tommaso Aversa, Maria Cristina Vigone, Marco Abbate, Jessica Munarin, Francesco Quaglino, Giorgia Pepe, Francesca Franchina, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Luisa De Sanctis Hormone Research in Paediatrics, 2026 Introduction: The rate of malignancy (ROM) among pediatric studies using the Bethesda System is 39.5% and 41.5% for atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance and for suspected follicular neoplasm, respectively. Data reported on the basis of Bethesda System showed lower ROM in adults with indeterminate nodules (30.5% and 28.9%, respectively). Studies on adults based on the Italian Society of Anatomic Pathology and Cytology (SIAPEC) classification, report a ROM of 4–20.8% for TIR3a and 28–60.3% for TIR3b category, showing greater sensitivity in detecting malignancy. To date, very few performance data are available about SIAPEC classification in pediatric age. Methods: Multicentre retrospective data were collected from 44 pediatric subjects with thyroid nodules. Results: The distribution of cytological categories after fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was 26 TIR3a and 18 TIR3b. Surgical approach was performed in 8/26 subjects with TIR3a and 18/18 subjects with TIR3b with a total ROM of 53.8% (12.5% for TIR3a, 72.8% for TIR3b). Total FNAB accuracy for the indeterminate cytologic category was 77%. Conclusion: The reported data seem to confirm a greater sensitivity of SIAPEC classification to identify malignancy within the indeterminate category also in pediatric age and not only in adulthood. This finding may orient clinicians toward clinical follow-up for the indeterminate TIR3a group and toward surgical approach with total thyroidectomy in the indeterminate TIR3b group, although this indication should be confirmed in further national multicenter studies including larger cohorts.
Femoral Skeletal Growth in Early Infancy Assessed by Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry Serafina Perrone, Virginia Beretta, Laura Cannavò, Domenico Corica, Tommaso Aversa, Giorgia Pepe, Letteria Morabito, Maria Elisabeth Street, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Tullio Ghi, Andrea Dall'Asta Journal of Clinical Ultrasound, 2026 Background Early skeletal growth represents a critical window for lifelong bone health and is influenced by genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. However, the assessment of bone status during infancy remains challenging due to the limited feasibility of reference densitometric techniques for longitudinal use. Radiofrequency echographic multi‐spectrometry (REMS) is an ultrasound‐based technology validated for bone mineral density (BMD) assessment in adults, but its applicability to early infancy has not yet been established. This study aimed to explore a REMS‐based approach for investigating femoral skeletal growth during early life. Methods Eighty‐two healthy term infants underwent femoral REMS examinations at 3 and 6 months of age. Unfiltered radiofrequency ultrasound signals were analyzed using a multivariate framework combining fast Fourier transform (FFT) spectral analysis with partial least squares (PLS) regression. Body weight was used as an indirect surrogate marker of skeletal growth, with spectral features serving as predictors. Results Average power spectra stratified according to PLS‐inferred body weight demonstrated distinct spectral patterns between lower‐ and higher‐weight infants. The PLS‐based spectral model showed longitudinal consistency, preserving relative skeletal status across time points. These findings indicate that REMS‐derived spectral features vary systematically with growth‐related physiological changes during infancy. Conclusions REMS‐derived spectral characteristics appear to be sensitive to early skeletal growth processes in infancy. Although further studies incorporating direct bone outcomes are required to disentangle the relative contributions of body size and mineralization, this work provides foundational evidence supporting the feasibility of extending REMS technology to early life. REMS may represent a promising non‐invasive and radiation‐free approach for longitudinal investigation of skeletal development in pediatric populations.
Thyroid function and ultrasound surveillance in childhood cancer survivors (CCS): a position paper of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED) Gerdi Tuli, Valeria Calcaterra, Raffaella Di Mase, Maria Cristina Vigone, Roberto Gastaldi, Rosario Ferrigno, Nicola Improda, Antonella Klain, Maria Rosaria Licenziati, Valeria Pellino, Tommaso Aversa, Giorgia Pepe, Rita Ortolano, Donatella Capalbo, Flavia Urbano, Marianna Di Frenna, Paolo Cavarzere, Laura Penta, Jessica Munarin, Gaia Vincenzi, Silvia Molinari, Maria Felicia Faienza, Maria Elisabeth Street, Mariacarolina Salerno, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Valentino Cherubini, Alessandra Cassio Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 2026
Timing of adiposity rebound in children with congenital hypothyroidism diagnosed by newborn screening and treated with Levothyroxine Cecilia Lugarà, Domenico Corica, Giorgia Pepe, Maria Francesca Messina, Mariella Valenzise, Giuseppina Zirilli, Letteria Anna Morabito, Alessandra Li Pomi, Malgorzata Gabriela Wasniewska, Tommaso Aversa Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 2025 Children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) are at increased risk of developing childhood obesity. Moreover, an adiposity rebound (AR) that occur early is strongly linked with future obesity. The aims of our study were to explore the timing of AR, to identify factors affecting AR and correlation between age and body mass index (BMI) at AR and BMI at eight years of age in children with CH. A retrospective, observational study was conducted on Caucasian children with CH. For each child, BMI growth curve was constructed, AR was identified and compared with the Italian national and regional references. Sixty-nine patients (44 females) were recruited. The age at AR was 3.4 ± 1.2 vs. 4.5 years of the comparison population ( p < 0.001) in females and 3.4 ± 1.4 vs. 5.0 years of the comparison population ( p < 0.001) in males with CH. Age at AR showed a significant negative correlation with BMI at 8 years ( r = − 0.274, p < 0.039). BMI at AR and BMI at 8 years of age correlated positively ( r = 0.460, p < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity/overweight at 8 years of age was 30%. BMI at 8 years of age was 22.4 ± 1.8 kg/m 2 in overweight/obese subgroup and 16.9 ± 1.8 kg/m 2 in normal BMI subgroup ( P 0.001). Children with CH showed earlier AR compared to Italian national references. The higher risk of obesity in patients with early AR is supported by the association between age, BMI at AR, and BMI at eight years.
Adrenal Cushing Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management in a 10-Year-Old Boy with Carney Complex Domenico Corica, Cecilia Lugarà, Jerome Bertherat, Eric Pasmant, Mariella Valenzise, Giorgia Pepe, Francesco Ferraù, Salvatore Cannavò, Tommaso Aversa, Malgorzata Gabriela Wasniewska Hormone Research in Paediatrics, 2025 Introduction: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent Cushing syndrome (CS) is very rare condition in children. Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is a rare cause of CS, which in most cases occurs in the context of Carney complex (CNC). CNC is a rare autosomal-dominantly inherited genetic syndrome, usually due to pathogenic variants of the PRKAR1A (regulatory subunit R1A of the protein kinase A) gene located at 17q22-24. The clinical picture is characterized by spotty skin pigmentation, cardiac, cutaneous, and mammary myxomas, melanocytic schwannomas, endocrinopathies, and tumours of the endocrine glands (mostly adrenal, pituitary, and thyroid). Case Presentation: A 10-year-old boy first came to our outpatient clinic due to severe obesity. During the first 3 months of follow-up, the height growth rate was normal, but the response to dietary-behavioural indications was poor in terms of weight loss. Later, 10 months after the last evaluation, there was evidence of significant worsening of obesity, growth failure (growth velocity 0.7 cm/year), arterial hypertension, and the occurrence of violaceous striae at the trunk and root of the limbs. Endocrinological causes of obesity associated with growth failure were investigated. The circadian rhythm of cortisol, ACTH, and cortisoluria were suggestive of ACTH-independent hypercortisolaemia. Iatrogenic causes were ruled out. Adrenal ultrasound and computer tomography scan were performed, which initially indicated the presence of a nodule or hyperplasia of the medial arm of the left adrenal gland. Conversely, magnetic resonance imaging showed a significant increase in the global dimensions of the adrenals with a bilateral micronodular appearance. In light of the association between ACTH-independent hypercortisolism and bilateral micronodular adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic investigation was performed, which found a pathogenic variant of the PRKAR1A gene. The patient was begun on treatment with metyrapone which was well tolerated over a 2-year period. The clinical picture has slightly improved, cortisoluria returned and remains within normal limits, but ACTH suppression persists. Conclusion: This is the first report on the clinical and biochemical effects of 2-year medical treatment with metyrapone of PPNAD-related hypercortisolaemia in a paediatric patient with CNC. Currently, there are no established protocols for the management of hypercortisolism in PPNAD and data are scarce, especially in the paediatric field. Medical therapies may play a role in reducing the need, at least initially, for patients to undergo bilateral adrenalectomy. However, further studies on larger case series are needed to clarify this aspect. In cases of CS due to PPNAD in which medical therapy was the initial approach, in the absence of clear clinical, auxological, and biochemical improvements, metyrapone may have to be discontinued in favour of another approach, including surgery.
Landscape of paediatric endocrine clinical practice in Italy: results from a survey of the Italian Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED) Maria Elisabeth Street, Anna Di Sessa, Andrea Esposito, Anastasia Ibba, Giorgia Pepe, Riccardo Bonfanti, Felice Citriniti, Giuseppe D’Annunzio, Maria Rosaria Licenziati, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Valentino Cherubini, Mariacarolina Salerno Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 2025 Background Pediatric endocrinology has developed enormously over the last 30 years. Many conditions followed-up are rare and/or chronic complex diseases requiring a high level of expertise. Therefore, defining pediatric endocrinology workforce has become crucial. We aimed to provide an overview of the landscape of the Italian Pediatric Endocrinology centers. Methods A national electronic survey on clinical endocrine practice among the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ISPED) centers was carried out. The full time equivalent (FTE) was used to assess the time dedicated by healthcare providers (HCPs) to pediatric endocrinology and calculate the needs. Results Ninety-one centers completed the electronic survey. Forty-four/91 centers had incorporated a pediatric diabetology service, while the remaining had an independent center. Among HCPs, 271 were pediatric endocrinologists (94 with a temporary, and 265 with a permanent contract). In 14/91 centers, adult endocrinologists were part of the medical staff. In 45/91 centers clinical activity was carried out five days a week. A mean FTE of 0.56 for medical doctors, 0.49 for nurses, 0.31 for dietitians, and 0.13 for psychologists was reported. An average of 110 patients with rare diseases was followed per centre per year. Based on the ISPAD international criteria for the FTE required for the care of diabetic youths we considered rare diseases as a reference instead of diabetes, without considering any other consultations, and this showed a shortage of 80% of required pediatric endocrinologists, 89% of needed nurses, 93% of required dietitians, and 94% of required psychologists. Moreover, approximately 20 pediatric endocrinologists were expected to retire within the following two years. Overall, a mean of 1148 consultations/year per centre was reported for each medical FTE (a mean of 367 first consultations, and 786 follow-ups). Education and training for growth hormone and other specific treatments were provided by a variety of HCPs, mainly by medical doctors (22/91 centers). Conclusions At present pediatric endocrinology shows a significant burden of activity with a severe shortage of personnel. This should be addressed by policy makers in order to develop strategic programs to ensure optimal care. Recognizing pediatric endocrinology as a subspecialty and offering appropriate training programs would represent a significant step further.
Radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry for early bone health: The REMS-bone study protocol (Trial acronym: REMS-bone) Serafina Perrone, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Maria-Elisabeth Street, Virginia Beretta, Elena Scarpa, Chiara Petrolini, Andrea Dall’Asta, Domenico Corica, Tommaso Aversa, Giorgia Pepe, Letteria Morabito, Federica Grassi, Anna-Mariia Shulhai, Valentina Bianco, Anna Maria Papini, Maria Cristina Albertini, Silvia Carloni, Giuseppe Maglietta, Matteo Puntoni, Caterina Caminiti, Francesco Conversano, Tullio Ghi Global Pediatrics, 2025 • Bone health starts in utero and is influenced by maternal health and nutrition. • Maximizing bone mass during growth is key to preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis. • REMS technology is effective for assessing BMD in pregnancy, but its feasibility in newborns is still unknown. • Multicenter study on 200 mother-newborn dyads, with follow-up until 12 months of age. • BMD assessment using REMS at different stages: prenatal, neonatal, and throughout the first year. • Analysis of oxidative stress biomarkers, specific microRNAs, bone metabolites, and endocrine disruptors from blood and urine samples. Bone health begins with maternal health and nutrition, which influences skeletal mass and bone mineral density (BMD) already in utero. Maximization of bone mass during skeletal growth has become the goal of primary prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis. The amount of bone gained during growth and its subsequent rate of loss are closely linked to the final skeletal mass in adulthood. Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) technology has proven to be useful in the assessment of BMD in pregnant women. However, the feasibility of REMS for the assessment of bone status in newborns remains unknown. This multicenter longitudinal study aims at using REMS to evaluate skeletal status in fetuses, newborns and children until 12 months of age. Two hundred mother-newborn dyads, with infants born at term of gestation, will be consecutively recruited during the prenatal period and followed up until 12 months of life. BMD will be assessed with REMS technology in mothers, fetuses, newborns and infants at 1, 3 6 and 12 months of life. In all enrolled patients, blood will be collected at specific time points and oxidative stress biomarkers, specific microRNAs, and several bone metabolites will be measured in blood, whereas endocrine disruptors will be measured in urine. This study is designed to provide robust data on the best method to identify and evaluate bone status starting from intrauterine life. The associations among BMD, maternal nutrition, early exposure to endocrine disruptors, and other investigated molecules will also be investigated in relationship with subsequent body composition and bone health. The protocol was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on December 3 rd , 2024, with the ID number NCT06750523.
Building a Healthy Future: Functional Motor Skill Development in Precocious Prevention of Childhood Obesity Debora Porri, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Giovanni Luppino, Letteria Anna Morabito, Elisa La Rosa, Giorgia Pepe, Domenico Corica, Mariella Valenzise, Maria Francesca Messina, Giuseppina Zirilli, Alessandra Li Pomi, Aurora Lanzafame, Valentina Arena, Angela Alibrandi, Debora Di Mauro, Tommaso Aversa Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 2025
The Rising Burden of Childhood Obesity: Prevention Should Start in Primary School Debora Porri, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Giovanni Luppino, Letteria Anna Morabito, Elisa La Rosa, Giorgia Pepe, Domenico Corica, Mariella Valenzise, Maria Francesca Messina, Giuseppina Zirilli, Alessandra Li Pomi, Aurora Lanzafame, Angela Alibrandi, Tommaso Aversa Nutrients, 2025
Challenges in assessing bone health in early infancy: a narrative review of existing technologies Giorgia Pepe, Letteria Anna Morabito, Domenico Corica, Tommaso Aversa, Virginia Beretta, Elena Scarpa, Chiara Petrolini, Andrea Dall’Asta, Federica Grassi, Anna-Mariia Shulhai, Anna Maria Papini, Maria Cristina Albertini, Silvia Carloni, Serena Benedetti, Giuseppe Maglietta, Matteo Puntoni, Caterina Caminiti, Tullio Ghi, Maria Elisabeth Street, Serafina Perrone, Malgorzata Wasniewska Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2025
Early adiposity rebound: predictors and outcomes Alessandra Li Pomi, Giorgia Pepe, Tommaso Aversa, Domenico Corica, Mariella Valenzise, Maria Francesca Messina, Letteria Anna Morabito, Stefano Stagi, Malgorzata Wasniewska Italian Journal of Pediatrics, 2024
Endocrine disorders in Rett syndrome: a systematic review of the literature Giorgia Pepe, Roberto Coco, Domenico Corica, Giovanni Luppino, Letteria Anna Morabito, Cecilia Lugarà, Tiziana Abbate, Giuseppina Zirilli, Tommaso Aversa, Stefano Stagi, Malgorzata Wasniewska Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024
Preventing and treating childhood obesity by sleeping better: a systematic review Debora Porri, Giovanni Luppino, Tommaso Aversa, Domenico Corica, Mariella Valenzise, Maria Francesca Messina, Giorgia Pepe, Letteria Anna Morabito, Elisa La Rosa, Cecilia Lugarà, Tiziana Abbate, Roberto Coco, Francesca Franchina, Aurora Lanzafame, Fabio Toscano, Alessandra Li Pomi, Paola Cavallaro, Malgorzata Gabriela Wasniewska Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2024
Skeptical Look at the Clinical Implication of Metabolic Syndrome in Childhood Obesity Malgorzata Wasniewska, Giorgia Pepe, Tommaso Aversa, Simonetta Bellone, Luisa de Sanctis, Procolo Di Bonito, Maria Felicia Faienza, Nicola Improda, Maria Rosaria Licenziati, Claudio Maffeis, Alice Maguolo, Giuseppina Patti, Barbara Predieri, Mariacarolina Salerno, Stefano Stagi, Maria Elisabeth Street, Giuliana Valerio, Domenico Corica, Valeria Calcaterra Children, 2023
Pubertal induction in girls with Turner Syndrome Tommaso AVERSA, Domenico CORICA, Giorgia PEPE, Giovanni B. PAJNO, Mariella VALENZISE, Maria F. MESSINA, Malgorzata WASNIEWSKA Minerva Endocrinology, 2021
Early Initiation of rhGH Therapy Significantly Improves Height Gain and Reduces the Gap to Target Height in Children Born Small for Gestational Age: A Multicenter Retrospective … LA Morabito, M Wasniewska, C Lugarà, E Pignatone, D Corica, ... Children 13 (5), 641 , 2026 2026
Femoral Skeletal Growth in Early Infancy Assessed by Radiofrequency Echographic Multi‐Spectrometry S Perrone, V Beretta, L Cannavò, D Corica, T Aversa, G Pepe, L Morabito, ... Journal of Clinical Ultrasound , 2026 2026
The case for primary prevention of obesity in the era of GLP-1 therapies S Holm, M Tena-Sempere, D Koutsouris, GV Dedoussis, KH Wagner, ... The Lancet Regional Health–Europe , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Thyroid function and ultrasound surveillance in childhood cancer survivors (CCS): a position paper of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED) G Tuli, V Calcaterra, R Di Mase, MC Vigone, R Gastaldi, R Ferrigno, ... Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 1-16 , 2026 2026
The Influence of Ultra-Processed Foods on Inflammation and Metabolic Health in Pediatric Obesity: A Systematic Review with a Narrative Synthesis D Porri, M Wasniewska, A Li Pomi, E La Rosa, G Luppino, A Lanzafame, ... Nutrients 18 (8), 1186 , 2026 2026
Corneal biomechanics alterations and increased risk for corneal ectasia in Turner syndrome AM Roszkowska, M Mancini, L Gargiulo, G Pepe, R Gargano, T Aversa, ... International Ophthalmology 46 (1), 151 , 2026 2026
Narrative medicine approach for assessing the emotional experience of children and adolescents treated with daily rhGH and their caregivers D Corica, C Lugarà, V La Malfa, M Pecoraro, LA Morabito, G Pepe, ... Frontiers in Endocrinology 17, 1654794 , 2026 2026
Adrenal Cushing syndrome: diagnosis and management in a 10-year-old boy with Carney complex D Corica, C Lugarà, J Bertherat, E Pasmant, M Valenzise, G Pepe, ... Hormone Research in Paediatrics 98 (6), 612-621 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Challenges in assessing bone health in early infancy: a narrative review of existing technologies G Pepe, LA Morabito, D Corica, T Aversa, V Beretta, E Scarpa, C Petrolini, ... Frontiers in Endocrinology 16, 1651094 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Cytological Category in Pediatric Age: Clinical and Surgical Management and Outcome in an Italian Multicentre Retrospective Study G Tuli, T Aversa, MC Vigone, M Abbate, J Munarin, F Quaglino, G Pepe, ... Hormone Research in Paediatrics , 2025 2025
Radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry for early bone health: The REMS-bone study protocol (Trial acronym: REMS-bone) S Perrone, M Wasniewska, ME Street, V Beretta, E Scarpa, C Petrolini, ... Global Pediatrics 13, 100261 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Timing of adiposity rebound in children with congenital hypothyroidism diagnosed by newborn screening and treated with Levothyroxine C Lugarà, D Corica, G Pepe, MF Messina, M Valenzise, G Zirilli, ... Italian Journal of Pediatrics 51 (1), 249 , 2025 2025
Two Years of Growth Hormone Therapy in a Child with Severe Short Stature Due to Overlap Syndrome with a Novel SETD5 Gene Mutation: Case Report and Review of the Literature G Luppino, M Wasniewska, G Pepe, LA Morabito, S Briuglia, A Moschella, ... Genes 16 (8), 859 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Early Childhood at School with the 0-6 EpPOI Project: Efficacy on Motor Skills and Mediterranean Diet Adherence D Porri, E La Rosa, G Pepe, LA Morabito, V Arena, G Luppino, C Fazio, ... Nutrients 17 (13), 2181 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Building a Healthy Future: Functional Motor Skill Development in Precocious Prevention of Childhood Obesity D Porri, M Wasniewska, G Luppino, LA Morabito, E La Rosa, G Pepe, ... Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 10 (2), 186 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Cumulative effects of genetic variants detected in a child with early-onset non-syndromic obesity due to SIM-1 gene mutation G Luppino, M Wasniewska, M Giordano, G Pepe, LA Morabito, D Porri, ... Genes 16 (5), 588 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Getting bone health right from the start: new tools for bone mineral density evaluation and determinants of BMD from pregnancy to 12 months of life M Wasniewska, S Perrone, AM Shulhai, V Beretta, V Bianco, E Scarpa, ... Endocrine Abstracts 110 , 2025 2025
The rising burden of childhood obesity: prevention could start at primary school T Aversa, D Porri, G Luppino, ML Anna, RE La, G Pepe, D Corica, ... Endocrine Abstracts 110 , 2025 2025
Cumulative effects of genetic variants detected in a patient with early-onset non-syndromic childhood obesity G Luppino, D Corica, M Giordano, G Pepe, ML Anna, C Lugara, T Aversa, ... Endocrine Abstracts 110 , 2025 2025
Landscape of paediatric endocrine clinical practice in Italy: results from a survey of the Italian Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED) ME Street, A Di Sessa, A Esposito, A Ibba, G Pepe, R Bonfanti, F Citriniti, ... Italian journal of pediatrics 51 (1), 90 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease in genetic syndromes in pediatric age C Casto, G Pepe, A Li Pomi, D Corica, T Aversa, M Wasniewska Genes 12 (2), 222 , 2021 2021 Citations: 75
Asprosin serum levels and glucose homeostasis in children with obesity D Corica, T Aversa, M Curro, A Tropeano, G Pepe, A Alibrandi, R Ientile, ... Cytokine 142, 155477 , 2021 2021 Citations: 57
Could AGE/RAGE-related oxidative homeostasis dysregulation enhance susceptibility to pathogenesis of cardio-metabolic complications in childhood obesity? D Corica, T Aversa, RM Ruggeri, M Cristani, A Alibrandi, G Pepe, ... Frontiers in endocrinology 10, 426 , 2019 2019 Citations: 57
Precocious preclinical cardiovascular sonographic markers in metabolically healthy and unhealthy childhood obesity D Corica, L Oreto, G Pepe, MP Calabrò, L Longobardo, L Morabito, ... Frontiers in endocrinology 11, 56 , 2020 2020 Citations: 44
Methods to investigate advanced glycation end-product and their application in clinical practice D Corica, G Pepe, M Currò, T Aversa, A Tropeano, R Ientile, ... Methods 203, 90-102 , 2022 2022 Citations: 42
The metabolic syndrome in pediatrics: do we have a reliable definition? A systematic review A Tropeano, D Corica, A Li Pomi, G Pepe, LA Morabito, SL Curatola, ... European journal of endocrinology 185 (2), 265-278 , 2021 2021 Citations: 41
Peculiarities of precocious puberty in boys and girls with McCune-Albright syndrome D Corica, T Aversa, G Pepe, F De Luca, M Wasniewska Frontiers in Endocrinology 9, 337 , 2018 2018 Citations: 37
Global incidence and prevalence of differentiated thyroid cancer in childhood: systematic review and meta-analysis M Moleti, T Aversa, S Crisafulli, G Trifirò, D Corica, G Pepe, L Cannavò, ... Frontiers in endocrinology 14, 1270518 , 2023 2023 Citations: 32
Skeptical look at the clinical implication of metabolic syndrome in childhood obesity M Wasniewska, G Pepe, T Aversa, S Bellone, L De Sanctis, P Di Bonito, ... Children 10 (4), 735 , 2023 2023 Citations: 32
Prospective evaluation of autoimmune and non-autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism in Down syndrome children G Pepe, D Corica, L De Sanctis, M Salerno, MF Faienza, D Tessaris, ... European Journal of Endocrinology 182 (4), 385-392 , 2020 2020 Citations: 30
Early adiposity rebound: predictors and outcomes AL Pomi, G Pepe, T Aversa, D Corica, M Valenzise, MF Messina, ... Italian Journal of Pediatrics 50 (1), 98 , 2024 2024 Citations: 27
Role of NR5A1 Gene Mutations in Disorders of Sex Development: Molecular and Clinical Features G Luppino, M Wasniewska, R Coco, G Pepe, LA Morabito, A Li Pomi, ... Current Issues in Molecular Biology 46 (5), 4519-4532 , 2024 2024 Citations: 24
Meal-related asprosin serum levels are affected by insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose in children with obesity D Corica, G Pepe, T Aversa, M Currò, S Curatola, A Li Pomi, A Alibrandi, ... Frontiers in Endocrinology 12, 805700 , 2022 2022 Citations: 24
Time to act on childhood obesity: the use of technology D Porri, LA Morabito, P Cavallaro, E La Rosa, A Li Pomi, G Pepe, ... Frontiers in Pediatrics 12, 1359484 , 2024 2024 Citations: 23
Growth hormone treatment to final height in Turner syndrome: systematic review T Aversa, AL Pomi, G Pepe, D Corica, MF Messina, R Coco, F Sippelli, ... Clinical Therapeutics 46 (2), 146-153 , 2024 2024 Citations: 21
The rising burden of childhood obesity: prevention should start in primary school D Porri, M Wasniewska, G Luppino, LA Morabito, E La Rosa, G Pepe, ... Nutrients 17 (4), 650 , 2025 2025 Citations: 15
Thyrotropin serum levels and coexistence with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as predictors of malignancy in children with thyroid nodules G Zirilli, G Salzano, D Corica, GB Pajno, C Mignosa, G Pepe, F De Luca, ... Italian journal of pediatrics 45 (1), 96 , 2019 2019 Citations: 15
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Endocrine disorders in Rett syndrome: a systematic review of the literature G Pepe, R Coco, D Corica, G Luppino, LA Morabito, C Lugarà, T Abbate, ... Frontiers in Endocrinology 15, 1477227 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
The effect of obesity-related allostatic changes on cardio-metabolic risk in euthyroid children A Tropeano, D Corica, S Curatola, A Li Pomi, C Casto, A Alibrandi, ... Journal of Endocrinological Investigation 46 (2), 285-295 , 2023 2023 Citations: 12