Education
- 2008 – 2009: Research Fellow, “The Robert Steiner Magnetic Resonance Unit, Imaging Sciences”, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
- 2005 – 2010: Residency, Pediatrics, University of Pavia (Magna Cum Laude), discussing a degree thesis on “Neuroimaging in neonates with encephalopathy and a prenatal history of reduced fetal movements”
- 1999 – 2005: Medical Degree, University of Pavia School of Medicine (Magna Cum Laude), discussing a degree thesis on “Prognostic Value of Umbilical Artery Doppler on the Neurodevelopmental Outcome of 582 Preterm Newborns”
- 1999 – 2005: Diploma of Academic License in the Class of Biomedical Sciences, awarded by the Institute for Advanced Studies (IUSS), University of Pavia
- 1995 – 1999: High School Diploma at the Liceo Classico Statale “Pietro Giannone”, Caserta, Italy
Academic Background
- Current role – Research RTDA
Previous Experiences
- 2020 – present: Neonatologist at the Neonatal and Neonatal Pathology Unit of Humanitas San Pio X, Milan, Italy (Director Prof. C. Ciralli)
- 2013 – 2020: Neonatologist at the Neonatal and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy (Director Prof. F. Mosca)
Membership and Leadership Roles
- 2011 – present: Member of the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP)
- 2011 – present: Member of the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN)
- 2016 – 2022: Board Member of the Study Group on Neurology and Follow-Up, Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN)
- 2007 – 2008: Member of the Editorial Board “Pediatria Notizie,” the monthly pediatric news magazine of the Italian Society of Pediatrics, Editor: P. Di Pietro
- Contributed to the revision of the Guidelines for the Management of Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Eligible for Therapeutic Hypothermia, published in November 2023
My primary areas of interest focus on the evaluation of neonates with neurological disorders, particularly those with potential brain injuries acquired during the perinatal period. I investigate the pathogenesis of such damage and I am involved in the diagnostic process through the application of neuroimaging techniques, including cranial ultrasound, spinal ultrasound, brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additionally, I utilize neurophysiological tools to assess cerebral electrical activity, such as amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) and conventional EEG. Moreover, I am deeply interested in the neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonates with neurological conditions, as well as late preterm infants. My assessments include the use of the Hammersmith Neurological Examination, comprehensive neurofunctional evaluations, and developmental screening and diagnostic tools such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.
In the past two years, I have focused on the study of brain development and the identification of potential brain injuries, using brain ultrasound scan, in neonates born through medically assisted reproduction (MAR), with the aim of improving early detection and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main research fields:
- Neuroimaging (Brian ultrasound scan and MRI) in preterm and term newborn
- Neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm and late preterm infants
- Neonatal behavioral epigenetics
- Provenzi L, Fumagalli M, Scotto di Minico G, Giorda R, Morandi F, Sirgiovanni I, Schiavolin P, Mosca F, Borgatti R, Montirosso R. Pain-related increase in serotonin transporter gene methylation associates with emotional regulation in 4.5-year-old preterm-born children. Acta Paediatr. 2020 Jun;109(6):1166-1174.doi: 10.1111/apa.15077. Epub 2019 Nov 22. PMID: 31670854.
- Fumagalli M, Cinnante CM, Calloni SF, Sorrentino G, Gorla I, Plevani L,Pesenti N, Sirgiovanni I, Mosca F, Triulzi F. Clinical safety of 3-T brain magnetic resonance imaging in newborns. Pediatr Radiol. 2018 Jul;48(7):992-998. doi: 10.1007/s00247-018-4105-0. Epub 2018 Mar 29. PMID: 29594440.
- Fumagalli M, Provenzi L, De Carli P, Dessimone F, Sirgiovanni I, Giorda R, Cinnante C, Squarcina L, Pozzoli U, Triulzi F, Brambilla P, Borgatti R, Mosca F, Montirosso R. From early stress to 12-month development in very preterm infants: Preliminary findings on epigenetic mechanisms and brain growth. PLoS One. 2018 Jan 5;13(1):e0190602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190602. PMID: 29304146; PMCID: PMC5755830.
- Provenzi L, Fumagalli M, Giorda R, Morandi F, Sirgiovanni I, Pozzoli U, Mosca F, Borgatti R, Montirosso R. Maternal Sensitivity Buffers the Association between SLC6A4 Methylation and Socio-Emotional Stress Response in 3-Month-Old Full Term, but not very Preterm Infants. Front Psychiatry. 2017 Sep 13;8:171. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00171. PMID: 28959218; PMCID: PMC5604082.
- Sirgiovanni I, Avignone S, Groppo M, Bassi L, Passera S, Schiavolin P, Lista G, Cinnante C, Triulzi F, Fumagalli M, Mosca F. Intracranial haemorrhage: an incidental finding at magnetic resonance imaging in a cohort of late preterm and term infants. Pediatr Radiol. 2014 Mar;44(3):289-96. doi: 10.1007/s00247-013-2826-7. Epub 2013 Nov 30. PMID: 24292861.