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Although extensive epidemiological and laboratory studies have been performed to identify the environmental and immunological causes of atopy, genetic predisposition seems to be the biggest risk factor for allergic diseases. The onset of atopic diseases may be the result of heritable changes of gene expression, without any alteration in DNA sequences occurring in response to early environmental stimuli. Findings suggest that the establishment of a peculiar epigenetic pattern may also be generated by oxidative stress (OS) and perpetuated by the activation of OS-related genes. Analyzing the role of maternal and neonatal oxidative stress and oxidative stress-inducible genes, the purpose of this review was to summarize what is known about the relationship between maternal and neonatal OS-related genes and the development of atopic diseases.

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Introduction: Systemic fungal disease, by Candida species, are a much feared complication in NICU. Objectives: We evaluated the higher incidence of Candida A. infection and not particularly in VLBW and ELBW infants. Methods: Infection cases by Candida albicans and not recorded in NICU of Messina. Results: The cases were reported 42/1839 (2%) 21 premature infants , G.A. 30.5± 3.78 , weight 1550.4 ± 906.9, 14 term infants , G.A. 38.42 ± 1:45,weight 3128.9 ± 290.8 , 7 pediatric patients. The fungus most frequently isolated was Candida parapsilosis (19/42-46%), followed by C. albicans (13/42-32%), by C. lambica (5/42-12%), C. tropicalis (2/42-4%), C.zeylanoides (1/42-2%), C.krusei (1/42-2%), C.guillermondi (1/42-2%). Of the 15 preterm with GA ≤ 32, in 8 / 15 (53%) was isolated C.parapsilosis, in 4 / 15 (27%) C. albicans ,in 2 / 15 (13%) C.lambica, in one case (1 / 15-7%) C.zeylanoides. About patients studied 7 / 42 died (17%) which 6 / 21 preterm infants (28%), 1 / 7 pediatric patients (14%), no term baby died. We have registered two cases of mycetoma in a preterm baby. Conclusions: The increased incidence of Candida parapsilosis is a main cause of infections, linked to fungal adherence ability to prosthetic materials and to proliferate in presence of high glucose concentrations , especially in preterm infants in parenteral nutrition. Our study shown the problem of colonization,the selection of resistant strains of Candida in NICU and its new therapeutic options.