This article examines the environmental, economic, and public-health implications of menstrual hygiene products within a One Health perspective, highlighting how individual choices can contribute to sustainability. Menstrual products—used monthly for roughly 40 years of reproductive life—generate significant waste due to their widespread use and high plastic content. Historically, menstrual management evolved from rudimentary natural materials to industrial products shaped largely by male-driven design choices, leading to a proliferation of disposable items with heavy reliance on plastics, applicators, and individualized packaging. Today, most disposable pads and tampons contain multiple plastic components, contributing substantially to non-recyclable waste. In Italy, absorbent hygiene products account for about 3% of total non-recoverable waste—approximately 900,000 tonnes per year. Growing awareness has led to increasing interest in sustainable alternatives such as menstrual cups, absorbent washable underwear, reusable cloth pads, biodegradable pads, and, to a lesser extent, sea-sponges, though the latter raise hygiene and ecological concerns. Political initiatives, including reduced VAT on biodegradable or reusable menstrual products and local programs distributing menstrual cups and washable nappies to families, promote cultural and behavioral change. Economic analyses reveal that women use 10,000–14,000 pads or tampons over a lifetime, spending around €5,000, with “period poverty” affecting socially vulnerable groups lacking access to adequate products and sanitation. The article also addresses the environmental impact of condoms, widely used for contraception and STI prevention. Although essential for sexual health, condoms—whether latex or synthetic—are not compostable and must be disposed of as general waste. Their production involves significant environmental costs due to synthetic additives and small, non-recyclable aluminum or composite packaging. Overall, sustainable menstrual and sexual health practices require informed consumer choices, supportive public policies, improved product design, and accessible education on proper waste disposal.
In the pediatric population, cerebrovascular disease—although numerically less frequent than in adults—ranks among the top ten causes of death and has a significant impact on the quality of life of affected children and their families. Neurological sequelae are common, as well as emotional, social, and caregiving repercussions for both patients and caregivers. In recent years, the distinctive etiopathogenetic and pathophysiological features of pediatric stroke have prompted the development of multicenter studies and dedicated national registries, after a long period in which clinical and therapeutic management relied largely on evidence derived from adult populations.
This study investigates maternal parenting style in adolescents diagnosed with restrictive anorexia nervosa (ANr), aiming to identify relational patterns that may inform family-based therapeutic approaches. Fifty-six patients (mostly female, mean age 14.6 years) were assessed between 2022 and 2024 using standardized tools evaluating eating pathology (EAT-26, BUT-A), emotional intelligence (EQ-i:YV), behavioral functioning (CBCL), and maternal parenting style (Parents Preference Test). The sample showed markedly pathological scores on eating-disorder scales, with nearly half having BMI <5th percentile (Graph 1, page 63). Emotional functioning was impaired, particularly in intrapersonal skills, general mood, and total emotional quotient, while CBCL scores indicated high rates of internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Maternal parenting profiles were predominantly active, emotionally oriented, and rule-focused, with strong attentional focus on the child (Tables on pages 62–63). Pearson correlations revealed that higher assertiveness and intrapersonal emotional skills in adolescents were associated with greater maternal self-focus, suggesting that maternal over-focus on the child may hinder autonomy and self-awareness. Conversely, mothers with strong emotional experiential styles more frequently reported significant socio-emotional difficulties in their children. The findings reinforce the central role of family dynamics in ANr and support the importance of evaluating parenting style when planning interventions, particularly within Family-Based Treatment models. The study’s limitations include small sample size and absence of a control group. Future directions include expanding the sample, incorporating paternal parenting evaluation, and conducting long-term follow-up.
This article explores the psychological and social complexities of children’s and adolescents’ engagement with digital media, using the case of Francesco—a 12-year-old who developed sleep disruption, school refusal, and distress linked to compulsive nighttime gaming—as a starting point. The authors highlight how shame, secrecy, and inadequate parental mediation can lead to problematic digital behaviors, often masked by somatic complaints such as abdominal pain. The text situates the issue within broader societal “moral panics,” noting how new technologies historically provoke adult anxiety and polarized public debate. Contrary to alarmist narratives, research shows that digital media—when age-appropriate and properly mediated—can support learning, identity development, and socialization. Children naturally move between online and offline contexts, integrating skills across both worlds. Drawing on recent studies, the authors introduce the concept of the “cyborg child,” emphasizing how digital devices have become embedded in family routines and relational environments. Effective evaluation of digital habits must therefore consider both content (what children access) and context (where, when, with whom, and under which relational dynamics). Parental mediation plays a central role. Restrictive strategies—such as prohibiting smartphone use or confiscating devices—are shown to be ineffective, limit digital competence, reduce communication, and prevent children from safely learning to manage risks. In contrast, enabling or active mediation strategies, which involve adults using and exploring digital media together with children, foster autonomy, emotional openness, and the transition from external to self-regulation. The case of Francesco illustrates what happens when rules are absent, inconsistent, or unaccompanied by open dialogue. The article argues that clinicians must incorporate digital life into clinical history-taking, asking about online behaviors, parental mediation styles, and children’s regulation strategies. Pediatricians can become key figures in helping families understand that difficulties arise not from technology itself but from the interaction of individual vulnerabilities, relational patterns, and social factors. Ultimately, interventions should address these multiple levels and promote collaborative action between families, schools, and health professionals to support healthy, developmentally appropriate digital engagement.
In recent years, the need for Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) in Italy has increased, supporting both child and family throughout the illness. However, PPC management still faces major challenges, especially in building an integrated interdisciplinary care network. The study examined the role of primary care paediatricians, their involvement, organizational difficulties, and emotional experiences. Results show a growing commitment to complex cases, but also a lack of resources and coordination. Emotional challenges include coping with the suffering of children and families without adequate psychological support. The network needs to be strengthened through continuous training and integration between hospital and community professionals.
