title: Advances in pediatrics in 2014: current practices and challenges in allergy, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, neonatology, nutrition, oncology and respiratory tract illnesses.
abstract: Major advances in the conduct of pediatric practice have been reported in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics in 2014. This review highlights developments in allergy, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, neonatology, nutrition, oncology and respiratory tract illnesses. Investigations endorse a need to better educate guardians and improve nutritional management in food allergy. Management of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates and of bronchiolitis have been improved by position statements of scientific societies. Novel treatments for infant colic and inflammatory bowel diseases have emerged. Studies suggest the diagnostic utility of ultrasonography in diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia. Progress in infectious diseases should include the universal varicella vaccination of children. Recommendations on asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome have been highlighted in neonatology. Studies have evidenced that malnutrition remains a common underestimated problem in developing countries, while exposure to cancer risk factors in children is not negligible in Western countries. Advances in our understanding of less common diseases such as cystic fibrosis, plastic bronchitis, idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis facilitate diagnosis and management. Researches have led to new therapeutic approaches in patent ductus arteriosus and pediatric malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. carlo.caffarelli@unipr.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caffarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. santamar@unina.it.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.affiliation: Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. silviacs@libero.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cesari
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. elisasc86@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sciorio
authors.affiliation: Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. carlotta.povesi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Povesi-Dascola
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Honorary Member University Faculty, "G D' Annunzio" University of Chieti Pescara, Chieti, Italy. sbernasconi3@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernasconi
mesh_terms: D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000639:trends; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D055552:Infectious Disease Medicine / Q000639:trends; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000639:trends; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000639:trends; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000639:trends*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000639:trends