Mario De Curtis and Sarah Gangi, from the Department of Paediatrics and Pediatric Neuropsychiatry, in their book "Piccoli piccoli. Storie di neonati nell'Italia di oggi" (Stories of newborn babies in today's Italy), tell the story of what happens in the intensive care unit where many mothers and fathers face the challenge of being parents in difficult situations with courage and love. In each chapter, a different story, linked together by a common thread: the strength one would not expect from such fragile infants.

The book reveals new family models, the ethical dilemmas faced by doctors and parents, the challenge of multiculturalism, situations of hardship, but also the extraordinary resources and capacities of the Italian NHS and the lesson of humanity given by newborn babies, weak and fragile beings who are totally dependent on their carers.

Readers will share their emotions, fears and joys with the parents of the little main characters, and will be provided with useful information on the delicate phase in the life of a couple that is the birth of a child.