• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• 제25권2호
• /
• pp.61-71
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Research on the clinical role of Staphylococcus aureus as a pathogen in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children has been scarce. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence and clinical correlation of S. aureus detection in children with AGE. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from children with symptoms of AGE who visited a secondary hospital between January 2012 and December 2015. The samples were sent to the Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment to test for pathogenic organisms. Clinical patterns were analyzed through medical record review. Results: Among the 663 participants, the bacteria detection rate was 26.2% (n=174), the virus detection rate was 29.7% (n=197), and the non-detection rate was 43.1% (n=286). S. aureus was tested positive from 102 cases and was confirmed as a single pathogen in 53 cases. It was the third most common pathogen. The prevalence by age was highest (45.3%) in 0-2 year-olds. Most cases occurred in summer. Symptoms included diarrhea (71.7%), vomiting (67.9%), fever (49.1%), and abdominal pain (37.7%). Only vomiting showed a significant difference between the S. aureus group and the non-detection group (67.9% vs. 43.0%; P=0.001). Among enterotoxins, the higher incidence of vomiting was associated with classical staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and SEE) and SEH (P=0.027). Conclusions: S. aureus was the bacteria commonly isolated from children with AGE. Our study identified cases of staphylococcal AGE in children based on fecal samples and confirmed the characteristic symptoms, affected age groups, seasonal distribution, and correlation with enterotoxins.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• 제22권3호
• /
• pp.184-191
• /
• 2004

Purpose: In order to improve the proper use of radiotherapy and breast-conserving treatment (BCT) in the management of breast cancer, current status of breast cancer treatment in Korea was surveyed nationwide and the use of BCT were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Patients characteristics and treatment pattern of 1048 breast cancer patients from 27 institutions diagnosed between January, 1998 and June, 1998 were analyzed. The incidence of receiving BCT was analyzed according to the stage, age, geography, type of hospital, and the availability of radiotherapy facility. Results: Radical mastectomy was peformed in 64.8$\%$ of total patients and 26$\%$ of patients received breast- conserving surgery (BCS). The proportions of patients receiving BCT were 47.5$\%$ in stage 0, 54.4$\%$ in stage I, and 20.3$\%$ in stage II, Some of the patients (6.6$\%$ of stage I, 10.1$\%$ of stage II and 66.7$\%$ of stage III) not received radiotherapy after BCS. Only 45$\%$ of stage III patients received post-operative radiotherapy after radical mastectomy. The proportion of patients receiving BCT was different according to the geography and availability of radiotherapy facilities. Conclusion: Radiotherapy was not fully used in the management of breast cancer, even in the patients received breast-conserving surgery. The proportion of the patients who received BCT was lower than the report of western countries. To improve the application of proper management of breast cancer, every efforts such as a training of physicians, public education, and improving accessibility of radiotherapy facilities should be done. The factors predicting receipt of BCT were accessibility of radiotherapy facility and geography. Also, periodic survey like current research is warranted.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.53-63
• /
• 2010

Purpose : Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in preterm infants is a major problem in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and it has been related to long-term growth deficit and neurodevelopmental issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of and risk factors for EUGR. Methods : The study subjects consisted of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with a gestational age $\leq$32 weeks that were born at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between November 2005 and April 2009. EUGR was defined as weight for gestation, lower than the 10th percentile on discharge. Results : The frequency of EUGR was 67% (n=111/166). By multiple logistic regression, the presence of small for gestational age (SGA) was the greatest predictor of EUGR, birth weight and daily weight gain during the first 28 days were independent predictors of EUGR. Risk factors for EUGR in non-SGA infants were evaluated because 56% (64/114) of non-SGA infants developed EUGR at discharge. Daily weight gain in the first 28 days was also decreased in EUGR group and independently predicted the risk of EUGR in the non-SGA group. Conclusion : EUGR was a common problem in the NICU. SGA was the most significant predictive factor of the EUGR. Half of the non-SGA infants also developed EUGR, revealing poor weight gain in the early days was as an important predictor. These results support the importance of early nutritional intervention for weight gain which have lagged behind other modern therapeutic interventions when the infant is clinically unstable.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• 제16권2호
• /
• pp.190-196
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Candida infection has increased in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). However, recent reports on systemic candida infections in preterm newborns are rare in Korea. The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiological features of systemic candida infection in very low birth weight infants (VLBW) over the past five years. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 19 patients with systemic candida infections in VLBW that were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of three hospitals affiliated with the College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea from January 2004 to December 2008. We analyzed the birth weight, gestational age, age at diagnosis, risk factors, co-morbidity, antifungal treatment, and mortality rates among the 19 patients. Results: Systemic candida infections occurred in 19 cases (4.7%) among the VLBW infants. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 959.0$\pm$255.9 g and 26.7$\pm$2.1 weeks. The isolated Candida species were C. albicans (4), C. parapsilosis (9), C. glabrata (2), C. famata (2), and unkown subspecies (2). Most patients had various associated risk factors, including a central venous catheter, broad spectrum antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, intravenous lipid emulsion, endotracheal intubation and $H_2$ blocker therapy. There was no significant difference in the risk factors between newborns that survived and those that died with regard to the systemic candida infection, except for gestational age. Nine (47.4%) out of 19 patients with a candida infection died and four cases (21.2%) were directly related to the candida infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of systemic candida infection is increasing in VLBW infants. The majority of Candida species has shifted to C. non-albicans, especially C. parapsilosis. Because of the high mortality associated with candida infection in the NICU, prophylaxis and early treatment based on epidemiological features is necessary.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제9권2호
• /
• pp.210-217
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Crohn disease (CD) in children is frequently complicated by malnutrition and growth retardation. Conventional treatment with corticosteroid may also affect the growth of children, which may be alleviated by nutritional therapy. Therefore, we performed this study to evaluate the role of nutritional therapy in the treatment of CD in children. Methods: The study cohort consisted of thirty children under the age of 17 years, admitted to the Asan Medical Center from 2001 to 2005. While 11 children received nutritional therapy (NT) with an elemental diet, 19 received conventional corticosteroid therapy (ST). Comparative analysis was performed for the rate of the induction of remission, recurrence, disease activity index of pre and post-treatment, and changes of the growth using mean standard deviation score for weight (zW) and height (zH). Results: Ten of 11 children with NT and 18 of 19 children with ST completed the therapy. Two of them were lost to follow-up during the treatment. All 10 children with NT and 15 of 18 children with ST achieved remission. While there was no recurrence in children with NT, 7 with ST showed recurrence within 1 year. Pre- and post treatment Pediatric Crohn disease Activity Index (PCDAI) did not show a difference between the two groups. There were no differences in zW and zH between the two groups after 1 year of follow-up. Conclusion: This study showed that nutritional therapy could be considered instead of steroid therapy for treatment of children with CD. However, a long-term study will be needed to determine the long-term efficacy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제45권5호
• /
• pp.615-621
• /
• 2002

Purpose : The neonatal cardiac catheterization and angiogram for transcatheter therapy are still essential methods in congenital heart disease, so we reviewed our experience with neonatal cardiac catheterization over 10 years at a single institution. Methods : A retrospective review of all 139 neonatal catheterizations from January 1991 to December 2000 at Sejong Heart Institution was performed. The purpose of the catheterizations, ages, body weights and the complications by the exam was surveyed. Results : The mean age of our 139 patients was 14.9 days and the mean body weight was 3.3 kg. As for the diagnosis : TGA in 49 patients, PAIVS in 26 patients, DORV in 14 patients, PS in 14 patients, PAVSD in 11 patients. For the cardiac catheterization, general anesthesia was performed in 65% of total and fluoroscopy time was $20.1{\pm}14.5$ minutes during cardiac catheterization. In the interventional cardiac catheterization which was 75% of the total, the age and body weight were statistically the same but the irradiation time was longer than the diagnostic catheterization( P=0.001). There were 48 cases of atrial septostomy, 16 cases of balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty and 25 cases of transcatheter pulmonary valvotomy. Complications of cardiac catheterization were found in 16.3%, but there was no difference between interventional catheterization and diagnostic catheterization. Conclusion : Therapeutic cardiac catheterization in neonates is a relatively safe and effective method in congenital heart disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제50권8호
• /
• pp.740-745
• /
• 2007

Purpose : There is a dominant opinion that in vitro fertilization (IVF) leads to an increased incidence of twins, low birth weight (LBW) infants, prematurity and mortality. On the other hand, technical development of IVF and improvement of neonatal intensive care have increased the survival rate of neonates. The purpose of this study was to verify the tendency by comparing the clinical aspects of IVF and spontaneously conceived twins, and to establish methods to increase the survival rate of neonates after IVF. Methods : Retrospective reviews were performed on all twin infants who were admitted to the nursery and NICU at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2006. Medical records of IVF twins (study group, n=92) and spontaneously conceived twins (control group, n=265) were analyzed and compared. Neonatal outcomes and complications, as well as obstetric outcomes, were analyzed and compared. Results : Mean gestational age and birth weight of the study group ($34.6{\pm}3.5$ weeks, $2,203.9{\pm}617.2g$) were considerably lower than those of the control group ($36.3{\pm}2.4$ weeks, $2,367.0{\pm}517.9g$). The frequency of prematurity less than 37 weeks (68.5% vs 51.3%) and extremely LBW (15.2% vs 6.4%) were also significantly higher in the study group. Other neonatal outcomes were all insignificant. The obstetric characteristics, maternal age ($32.6{\pm}3.3$ years vs $30.3{\pm}3.9$ years) and the frequency of cesarean delivery(95.7% vs 79.9%) were significantly higher in the study group. Other obstetric outcomes were insignificant except for the frequency of incompetent internal os of cervix (36.2% vs 3.6%) and cerclage operation (38.3% vs 4.3%). Conclusion : Based on the above results, clinical outcomes of twin infants will be further improved by careful attention and thorough antenatal care of the IVF twins.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제55권3호
• /
• pp.287-296
• /
• 2003

Background : Drowning represents the third most common cause of all accidental deaths worldwide. Although few studies of submersion injury were done in Korea, the subjects were mainly pediatric patients. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical feature of submersion injury in adults. Methods : The medical records of 31 patients with submersion injury who were >15 years of age and admitted to Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 1990 to March 2003 were retrospectively examined. Results : The most common age-group, cause, and site of submersion accidents in adults were 15-24 years of age, inability to swim, and river followed by more than 65 years of age, drinking, and public bath respectively. The initial chest radiographics showed bilaterally and centrally predominant distribution of pulmonary edema at lung base in about 90% of patients with pulmonary edema represented by submersion injury but at only upper lung zone in 10%. Eventually, 25 patients (80.6%) survived without any neurologic deficit and 2 patients (6.5%) with significant neurologic deficit, and 4 patients (12.9%) died. Age, arterial gas oxygenation, and mental status among baseline variables showed significant difference for prognosis. Conclusions : More than 65 year of age, drinking, and occurrence in public bath were relatively important in submersion injury of adults, and the successful survival of 80.6% of patients suggests that cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be intensively done in even adults.

• Neonatal Medicine
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.80-83
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Inguinal hernias are common in children and sometimes are associated with dangerous complications, such as incarceration. There are no established management guidelines for ovarian hernias. We have reviewed the clinical course of ovarian hernias in infants. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of female infants diagnosed with ovarian hernias by ultrasonogram at Kwandong University College of Medicine, Cheil General Hospital, and the Women's Healthcare Center between March 2001 and August 2007. We analyzed the patients gestational age, birth weight, age at the time of detection of the inguinal mass, the patients chief complaints, operative time, post-operative complications, and ultrasonographic findings. Results : Eight female infants had ovarian hernias, four of whom were born prematurely. Seven infants had left-sided ovarian hernias, and one infant had a right-sided ovarian hernia. Five infants underwent surgery and there were no postoperative complications or recurrences. Three girls did not have surgery, and the ovarian hernias regressed spontaneously, with no recurrences or complications. The regression time of inguinal masses ranged from 70-161 days after birth. Conclusion : Physical examination to detect movable masses within the labium major in premature female infants is important because the incidence of premature inguinal hernias is much higher than in term infants. No rational medical treatment plans for female ovarian hernias have been published to date. We cared for three girls with spontaneous regression of ovarian hernias. Pediatricians should be aware whether emergent surgery for ovarian hernias is indicated.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• 제16권1호
• /
• pp.80-86
• /
• 2009

Purpose : This study was performed to determine the clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis. Methods : Between May 2005 and April 2009, the medical records of 33 patients with BCG lymphadenitis were retrospectively reviewed. If needed, needle aspiration was recommended without surgical resection or antituberculous medication. Results : Of the 33 patients who were identified, 21 were males and 12 were females. Among the 33 patients, 32 were full-term babies. The mean age was 6 months (range, 2-35 months) and the most prevalent site of the lesion was the left axilla. BCG lymphadenitis was observed 1-34 months after BCG vaccination, mostly 1-6 months after vaccination. The size of the enlargement was generally 1-3 cm. The strains were identified as French (n=14), Danish (n=7), and Tokyo (n=12). BCG lymphadenitis regressed spontaneously in 19 patients. After 1-5 needle aspirations, 14 patients recovered completely. Complete regression of lymphadenitis was recorded over an average period of 4 months. Conclusion : Clinicians need to be aware of the clinical features of BCG lymphadenitis. For management of BCG lymphadenitis, regular follow-up with observation should be the mainstay. Needle aspiration is a safe and easy treatment for suppurative BCG lymphadenitis.