• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 1999

Purpose : We studied the correlation between urinalysis and radiologic findings in infants and children with urinary tract infection. Method : Urine Dipstick test and unstained urine microscopic examination were carried out in 56 infants and children who were hospitallized with the diagnosis of urinary infection by pocitive urine culture at Seoul Adventist from September 1996 through August 1998. Urine was collected by midsream, catheter, urine bag after cleansing or bladder puncture. Renal sonography and $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan or voiding cystoureterography were studied. Results : 1)In dipstick analysis, leukocyte esterase(LE) were positive in 30 cases of 56 patients(54%) and Nitrite were positive in 20 cases of 56 patients(36%) and LE or Nitrite were positive in 38 cases of 56 children with UTI(68%). 2)In microscopic analysis, WBC were positive in 38 cases of patients(68%) and bacteria were positive in 23 cases of 56 patients(41%) and WBC or bacteria were positive in 41 cases of 56 children with UTI(71%). 3)Ten cases of 56 UTI patients(18%) showed negative finding in Dipstick and microscopic analysis. 4)There was no significant difference in positive rate of dipstick(71% vs 66%) and microscopia analysis(83% vs 66%) between two group with or without renal scar on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan (P=0.117). 5)There was no significnt difference in positive rate of dipstick(100% vs 91%) and microscopic analysis(100% vs 100%) between two groups with or without vesicoureteral reflux on VCUG. Conclusion : There was no specific relationships between the abnormal urinalysis and the abnormal findings on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan or VCUG.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2006

Purpose : We hypothesized that mannose binding lectin gene(MBL2), a key molecule of innate immunity, may contirbute to the development and the outcome of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) disease in early childhood. This study was performed to investigate the genetic basis of polymorphisms and haplotypes of MBL2 for RSV disease severity in Korean children. Methods : Cases with severe RSV diseases are 99 children with severe RSV lower respiratory tract infections, who were admitted to the Seoul National University Children's Hospital through 1993~2000. The control subjects consisted of 224 anonymous healthy Korean blood donors. The frequency of promoter variant(-221, X/Y) and structural variant(codon 54) were compared between the case patient group and the control subject group. Results : The mean age of patients was 11.8 months; 49% were <6 months, 39% were 6-24 months and 12% were >24 months. In the cohort of cases of severe RSV diseases, the genotypic frequencies of structural variant in codon 54 were 61% for AA, 34% for AB, and 5% for BB. Those of the promoter X/Y variant were 85% for YY and 15% for XY. There were no significant differences in overall distribution of both structural and promoter variants between the cases and the control subjects. We did not observe statistical difference in the haplotypic frequencies of MBL2. Conclusion : Common variants of MBL2 gene most likely do not contribute to the risk for severe RSV diseases in Korean children. Further genetic association studies should be conducted in a larger propsectively recruited cohort of children with RSV infection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in children and adolescents in Korea and to delineate the effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of zoster and its complication. Methods : We evaluated the clinical records of 201 patients younger than 20 years admitted for herpes zoster at four hospitals located in Kyung-Gi provine during Jul. 1995 to Jun. 2005. Results : The admitted patients for herpes zoster have increased during the past 10 years. The effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of herpes zoster remain inconclusive in this study. Only twelve percent of the study patients had underlying diseases. In 34(17%) of 201 patients, complications were confirmed during hospitalization. Of 34 patients, meningitis occurred most frequently. Irrespective of varicella vaccination, occurrence of complications was higher in patients who had experienced varicella previously(=overt varicella infection) than patients who had not(=subclinical varicella infection). In case of no previous varicella history, we found complications to be much lower in those who had received the varicella vaccine than those who had not. Conclusion : We cannot conclude whether the varicella vaccine has an effect on the increasing incidence of zoster. We can conclude that the subclinical varicella infection or vaccination for varicella might lead to a decreased incidence of zoster complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.823-830
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• 2001

Background: Paraplegia is a serious complication of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic operations, which is related to ischemic injury of the spinal cord induced by low perfusion pressure during cross clamping of the aorta. Ischemic preconditioning of heart or brain with reversible sublethal ischemic injury induces resistance to subsequent lethal ischemia. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ischemic tolerance could be induced by the preconditioning of the spinal cord using swine model. Material and Method: The animals were randomly assigned to three groups: sham group(n=3), control group(n=6) and pre-conditioning group(n=8). In the sham group, we performed the left thoracotomy only without any ischemic injury. In the preconditioning group, the swine received reversible spinal cord ischemic injury by aortic clamping for 20 minutes, whereas control group had no previous aortic cross- clamping. Forty-eight hours later, the aorta was clamped for 30 minutes in both groups. Neurological examination was done 24 hours later, then the animals were euthanized for histopathology and malonedialdehyde(MDA) spectrophotometry assay of the spinal cord. Result: Statistically significant difference in neurological outcome was observed between the control and preconditioning groups at 24 hours after ischemic injury. The incidence of paraplegia and severe paresis was 100% in the control group, and 62.5% in the preconditing group(p=0.028). There was no statistically significant difference in histopathology and MDA assay of the ischemic spinal cord between these two groups with borderline statistical difference in MDA assay(p=0.0745). Conclusion: In the present swine study, ischemic preconditioning could induce tolerance against 30 minute ischemic insult of the spinal cord, although the animals did not completely recover(stand-up or walk). We expect that combining this preconditioning with other currently existing protection methods might lead to a synergistic effect, which warrants further investigation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 1998

Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic outcome, cost effectiveness and recurrence rate in children with H. pylori infection after the treatment using various medications. Methods: Seventy five children (mean age $11.4{\pm}2.5$ years) were given an endoscopy with biopsy and H. pylori status assessed by CLO test and histologic examination (Warthin Starry stain). Children were given one of following medications such as DA ($Denol^{(R)}$ and amoxycillin), OA (omeprazole and amoxycillin), DC ($Denol^{(R)}$ and clarithromycin) as primary treatment. And one of following medications such as DAM ($Denol^{(R)}$, amoxycillin and metronidazole), DC, OA, OC (omeprazole and clarithromycin) were used in children who failed the eradication of H. pylori. Results: The endoscopic diagnoses were: nodular gastritis (46 cases), gastric ulcer (9), duodenal ulcer (6), superficial gastritis (6), and normal (8). H. pylori eradication rate was 91% (63 of 69 children) on 4 weeks course of DA, 50% (1 of 2 cases who had treatment failure on DA) on DAM, and 75% (3 of 4 cases who treated on DC primarily) and 50% (1 of 2 cases who had treatment failure on DA) on DC, and 100% on OA (all of 2) and on OC (all of 1 who failed on DA). In 3 of 7 children in whom H. pylori had not been eradicated by primary medications (DA 6 and DC 1 case), H. pylori was re-eradicated by secondary medications (DA 1, DAM 1 and DC 1 case). But in remaining 4 cases, H. pylori infection persisted. Reinfection of H. pylori was found in 4 of 75 children between 3 months and 3 years after completion of the treatment of DA, yielding recurrence rate of 5.3%. In 2 of 4 cases who had relapsed, H. pylori was re-eradicated by secondary medications (OC 1 and DA 1 case). But in remaining 2 cases, H. pylori infection persisted. Conclusion: These results suggest that dual therapy with $Denol^{(R)}$ and amoxycillin is the effective medications in treating H. pylori infection in children. Concerning the cost effectiveness, it can be recommended as first line treatment of choice as well.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.536-545
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• 1998

Background: The studies on prediction equations of pulmonary function parameters for adults in Korea have been performed in a reference population mainly consisted of young and middle ages. So they included a relatively few elderly who conducted pulmonary function test frequently in clinic. We established prediction equations of pulmonary function parameters for healthy adults over 50 years old in rural area and compared this results with those of other studies. Therefore we attempted to consider normative values of pulmonary function tests for elderly in Korea. Method: Five hundred thirty-three women and men over 50 years old in rural area were participated. A "healthy" subgroup of 110 women and 32 men were identified by excluding those who had conditions that negatively influenced pulmonary function. We derived prediction equations for FVC, $FEV_1$ and $FEV_1%$ by multiple linear regression method from their age, heights and weights in each sex. Results: Prediction equations for FVC and $FEV_1$ in each sex were derived as follows Male; FVC (L)=0.02488Height(cm)-0.0269Age(years)+0.493 $FEV_1(L)$=0.01874Weight(kg)-0.0282Age(years)+2.906 Female; FVC(L)=0.02160Height(cm)-0.0192Age(years)-0.0125 $FEV_1(L)$=0.01720Height(cm)-0.0194Age(years)+0.3890 Prediction equations for $FEV_1%$ were not derived because $FEV_1%$ didn't have statistically significant terms. Comparing Predicted values that were calculated by substitution into the equations of various studies of mean values of age, heights and weights from this study, FVC and $FEV_1$ values in men of this study were lower than those of other studies. In women, FVC and $FEV_1$ values of this study were as similar as or lower than those of the study conducted for healthy elderly blacks in U.S.A respectively. Conclusion: We have got prediction equations of pulmonary function parameters which were driven from forced expiratory spirogram in adults over 50 years old in rural area. Predicted values of this study were lower than those of other studies which were conducted in Korea. So we consider that the study for spirometry reference values for elderly Korean using the method compatible with ATS recommendation need to be conducted more frequently forward.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.4 s.46
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• pp.277-288
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• 2005

Perlite, a hydrated volcanic glass, occurs mainly as a bed-like body, and is distributed intermittently along the unconformity surface between the Beomgockri Group and its lower formations, viz. Janggi Group. The perlite is intimately associated with surrounding pumiceous welded tuff and rhyodacites in space and time. Compared to the typical perlite, the perlite is rather silica-poor and impure, and thus, includes lots of phenocrysts and rock fragments. Nearly the perlite is compositionally rather close to a pitchstone than a perlite in water contents. Petrographic comparison between perlite and associated volcanic to volcaniclastic rocks indicates that pumiceous welded tuff and rhyodacite seem to be Protolith of the Perlite. A Zr/$TiO_{2}$-Nb/Y diagram and field occurrence of perlite and their protolithic rocks also conforms the above interpretation. Kn addition, remnant vesicles in perlite strongly reflect that the precursor of perlitic glass appeared to be pumice fragment as well as volcanic glass. The perlite was diagenetically formed by way of a pervasive water-rock interaction at the deposition of the Manghaesan Formation in lacustrine environment. During perlitization, $SiO_{2}$ and alkali tend to be consistently depleted. Preexisting system of the Beomgockri Group based on the perlite formation should be corrected, because the perlite was formed diagenetically without lateral persistence in its occurrence.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.576-583
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• 2008

Purpose : The identification of specific behaviors conducive to overeating or inactivity is the cornerstone of obesity management. The Committee on Nutrition of the Korean Pediatric Society developed parent and self-reporting questionnaires about eating behavior and physical activity in 2006. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the questionnaires in assessing modifiable lifestyle factors related to obesity. Methods : A retrospective chart review was performed for 177 children (6-11 years old) and 134 adolescents (12-16 years old) from 10 hospitals between May 2006 and January 2007 who had completed parent or self-reporting questionnaires. Cases were divided into normal and overweight groups at or above the age-gender-specific 85th percentile based on 2007 Korean national growth charts. Results : Compared to children, the adolescents tended to have a significantly more sedentary lifestvle and inappropriate dietary behaviors significantly (P<.05). Overweight mothers were significantly associated with overweight children and adolescents (P<.05). Being overweight was significantly associated with a family history of adult diseases for children and adolescents (P<.05). Inappropriate eating behaviors (strong appetite, eating fast, eating until they were full, binge eating, favoring greasy foods) were associated with being overweight in children and adolescents. Sedentary activity such as TV viewing and using a computer were significantly associated with overweight in children and adolescents (P<.05). Conclusion : Intervention to modify obesity-related lifestyle factors is needed before adolescence. These questionnaires are useful in identifying modifiable lifestyle factors and in individual counseling for overweight children and adolescents in pediatric clinics.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1212-1216
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• 2007

Purpose : To determine optimal maintenance dose and to evaluation the efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000) in children with chronic functional constipation. Methods : This study enrolled 41 children with chronic functional constipation at the Konkuk university hospital August 2005, then June, 2007. Effective maintenance dose was designed as initial amount of PEG4000 that improved frequency, bowel movement, stool consistency for 2 months. Clinical outcome was analysed on the basis of defecation diary. Adverse effect was monitored clinically and biochemically. Results : As a whole group effective maintenance dose of PEG4000 was $0.55{\pm}0.16g/kg/day$ (0.25-0.86). With respect to age, 3-5 years ($0.60{\pm}0.15$), 6-8 years ($0.57{\pm}0.16$), 9-13 years ($0.44{\pm}0.14$) (P=0.024). With respect to body weight, <30 kg ($0.62{\pm}0.14$), ${\geq}30kg$ ($0.41{\pm}0.10$) (P=0.001). One child comlained apigastric soreness on medication. Conclusion : PEG4000 is effective and safe in children with chronic constipation. Initial maintenance dose of PEG4000 was 0.55 g/kg/day.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.747-753
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• 2008

Purpose : Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Early atherosclerotic changes in the arterial walls begin in adolescence and the risk factors are associated with its development. To assess the usefulness of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), as a marker of early atherosclerosis, we evaluated the structural and functional characteristics of the carotid artery and investigated their relationshop with the metabolic and anthropometric parameters in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods : For this study, we enrolled 23 children with type 1 diabet and 19 age and sex-equivalent healthy children as the control group. Metabolic and anthropometric parameters such as serum lipid levels, plasma glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and body mass index were measured after a 12-h fasting period. The carotid artery IMT was measured by a high-quality ultrasound system, and compliance, and distensibility were calculated by an equation. Results : There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to the sex ratio, age, blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels' however, HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the diabetic children ($8.5{\pm}1.8$ vs. $5.0{\pm}0.2$, P=0.001). Ultrasonographic findings showed that compared with the control group, the diabetic group had higher IMT ($0.45{\pm}0.06mm$ vs. $0.41{\pm}0.04mm$, P=0.04), but there were no significant differences in compliance and distensibility. The HbA1c (P=0.002) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.026) levels were independent IMT predictors in the diabetic group. Conclusion : Here, the carotid artery IMT was higher in the diabetic group, and it is correlated with atherosclerotic risk factor. Thus, carotid IMT could be evaluated as a marker of early atherosclerosis in diabetic children.