Report by Valentina Magrì – LA MAGIA DI UN SORRISO | December 18, 2025
Medialthea contributed €25,000 by financing a critical medical device for the Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica (TIP) of the Policlinico Umberto I in Rome, in partnership with La Magia di un Sorriso.
The contribution enables the acquisition of a Cerebral Function Monitor (CFM), an essential tool for monitoring brain activity in newborns affected by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a severe condition caused by oxygen deprivation at birth.
This funding made it possible to proceed with the immediate acquisition of the equipment, avoiding delays that could have compromised the continuity of care.
Part of the contribution also supports the purchase of hygiene kits for newborn patients, addressing essential daily care needs within the intensive care unit.
Ensuring timely, life-saving treatment
The CFM plays a crucial role in assessing neonatal neurological function and guiding the prompt initiation of controlled therapeutic hypothermia, currently the only effective treatment to reduce the risk of permanent neurological damage.
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Policlinico Umberto I is a regional reference center for this type of treatment and cares for approximately 30 newborns every year who require immediate intervention.
Due to intensive use over time, the two CFM devices previously available in the unit were declared out of service. Until now, doctors were forced to request the equipment from other hospitals, a solution that could not always guarantee immediate availability in emergency situations.
Context and impact
The Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Policlinico Umberto I treats newborns affected by severe perinatal conditions, including hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a condition caused by oxygen deprivation at birth.
Every year, around 30 newborns require immediate neurological monitoring and timely intervention to prevent permanent brain damage.
Thanks to this contribution, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit can now rely on a dedicated, high-technology monitoring system, ensuring:
Improved access to advanced neurological monitoring for newborns
Faster initiation of therapeutic hypothermia in critical cases
Reduced risk of long-term neurological damage
Strengthened capacity of a public neonatal intensive care unit serving high-risk patients
A shared commitment
“If one dreams alone, it is only a dream. If we dream together, reality begins.”
For over ten years, La Magia di un Sorriso has supported the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Policlinico Umberto I, contributing to the technological upgrade of one of Italy’s most advanced pediatric intensive care centers.
“This device is used in newborns who have suffered perinatal hypoxic-ischemic events to assess neurological function and provide essential guidance for initiating controlled therapeutic hypothermia, currently the only treatment capable of preventing permanent neurological damage.”
