SPECIAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Pediatrica 2008 June;60(3):365-81

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Naples: the historic capital of italian paediatrics

Farnetani I. ¹, Farnetani F. ²

¹ Dipartimento di Neuroscienze Università di Milano-Bicocca Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Milano, Italia 2 Medico Chirurgo

No other Italian city has contributed to the birth and development of paediatrics more than Naples. This is why it can be considered the historic capital of Italian paediatrics. Here are the main reasons: Luigi Somma was the first professor of Italian paediatrics whereas Francesco Fede was the first president of the Italian Paediatrics Association. Neapolitan paediatricians have been the most numerous amongst the founder members. The first three Italian journals of paediatrics were founded in Naples as well as the journal “La Pediatria” which was the most distributed and long-lasting journal in this field. Moreover, Neapolitans have been the most numerous presidents of the Italian Paediatrics Association, while Rocco Jemma was the one who remained the longest in charge. “Rocco Jemma’s school” taught not only to most professors in paediatrics who afterwards taught in most Italian universities, but also four out of five paediatricians who took charge of the position as president. The first regional department of the Italian Paediatrics Association was founded in Naples as well as the Association of Nipiology.