• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.1282-1286
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• 2006

Purpose : The causes of prolonged fever have changed during the years and are influenced by age, geographic location and availability of diagnostic facilities/techniques. The aim of the present study was to determine the causes of prolonged fever, to know the proportion and outcomes of undiagnosed children. Methods : We reviewed patients with fever persisting for more than 2 weeks in duration, with documented temperatures of $38^{\circ}C$ on several occasions, or uncertain diagnosis after intensive study of 1 week duration in other hospitals who were admitted to Pusan National University Hospital during the period from July 1999 to June 2004. Results : Fifty-four (59.0 percent) were boys and thirty-seven (41 percent) were girls. Forty-six cases were less than 6 years and 45 cases were more than 6 years; the mean age was $6.48{\pm}6.56years$. In 62 cases (68.1 percent), the fever had persisted for 2 to 3 weeks before admission and in 26 cases (28.6 percent), had lasted longer than a month. Final diagnosis had been reached in 66 of 91 children (72.5 percent). The most common cause was infection (38/91), followed by collagen vascular disease (12/91), immune deficiency (3/91), neoplasia (2/91), and miscellaneous disease. Tuberculosis was the most common infectious cause. The causes of fever were not revealed in 25 cases. Outcome on discharge were as follows; 77 cases (84.6 percent) were improved, 10 cases (11.0 percent) discharged without improvement and 4 cases (4.4 percent) expired. Conclusion : The most common cause of prolonged fever in Korean children remains infection, but the incidence of infection was decreased as compared with previous studies. Tuberculosis is the most common among infectious causes. As Kikuchi disease (subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis) represented a significant cause of prolonged fever, it should be considered if a patient has neutropenia with lymphadenopathy. Undiagnosed patients with prolonged fever (27.5 percent) have increased over previous studies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.824-831
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• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to investigate the efficacy of and functional recovery after intracerebral transplantation of different doses of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) in immature rat brain with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods : Postnatal 7-days-old Sprague-Dawley rats, which had undergone unilateral HI operation, were given stereotaxic intracerebral injections of either vehicle or mMSCs and then tested for locomotory activity in the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th week of the stem cell injection. In the 8th week, Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the learning and memory dysfunction for a week. Results : In the open field test, no differences were observed in the total distance/the total duration (F=0.412, P=0.745) among the 4 study groups. In the invisible-platform Morris water maze test, significant differences were observed in escape latency (F=380.319, P<0.01) among the 4 groups. The escape latency in the control group significantly differed from that in the high-dose mMSC and/or sham group on training days 2-5 (Scheffe's test, P<0.05) and became prominent with time progression (F=6.034, P<0.01). In spatial probe trial and visible-platform Morris water maze test, no significant improvement was observed in the rats that had undergone transplantation. Conclusion : Although the rats that received a high dose of mMSCs showed significant recovery in the learning-related behavioral test only, our data support that mMSCs may be used as a valuable source to improve outcome in HIE. Further study is necessary to identify the optimal dose that shows maximal efficacy for HIE treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1047-1051
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sedatives for pediatric patients using noninvasive procedures. Methods : We performed a prospective study in 446 (aged 1 month-21 y) consecutive pediatric patients undergoing sedation to study noninvasive sedation techniques from February to August 2007. We reviewed demographic data, sedative drugs, dosage, complications, and successful rates of sedation according to the underlying diseases. Results : The overall successful rate of sedation was 435/446 (97.5%). The overall rate of successful sedation using chloral hydrate was 99.1% (420/424), and was 70.6% (12/17) and 60.0% (3/5) with ketamine and midazolam, respectively. Of the neurologic patients (n=172, aged 1 month to 21 years), 136 patients were sedated for EEGs, 5 patients for renal scans, and 31 patients for neuroimaging studies such as brain CT or MRI. All non-neurological patients (n=274, aged 1 month to 5 years) were diagnosed with urinary tract infection and sedated for renal scan. The overall success rate of sedation for this group was 99.6% (273/274). A total of 14 adverse events were observed (3.1%). Most adverse reactions were mild in severity and clinically insignificant. Conclusion : Using chloral hydrate alone has enough effect to sedate non-neurologic patients. However, neurologic patients in the severe course group, especially those suffering from intractable epilepsy, autism, or severe cerebral palsy, must be medicated with chloral hydrate 2 times at most; instead, injections of ketamine or midazolam in the early stage may result in a more promising outcome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.1206-1211
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• 2007

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of low birth weight associated with delayed first childbearing in Korea. Methods : The national birth certificate data of the singletons and first babies in Korea from January 2001 to December 2003 (n=736,167) was used. Outcome measures were rates of low birth weight infant, very low birth weight infant between 6 maternal age group (<20 years, 20-24 years, 25-29 years, 30-34 years and >35years). Odd ratios were calculated by multiple logistic regression on marital state, maternal education, maternal occupation, paternal occupation, duration of marriage and address. Results : Compared with women aged 25 to 29 years, women aged 30-35 years, 35-40 years and over 40 years had higher odds ratios of low birth weight, odd ratios were 1.3, 2.1, 2.4 respectively. Even though adjusted by marital state, maternal education, maternal occupation, paternal occupation, duration of marriage and address, odds ratios were 1.3, 1.9, 2.0 respectively. Compared with women aged 25 to 29 years, women aged 30-35 years, 35-40 years and over 40 years had higher odds ratios of very low birth weight, odd ratios were 1.8, 3.3, 3.7 respectively. Even though adjusted, odd ratios were 1.6, 2.7, 2.6 respectively. Compared with the incidence of low birth weight in each maternal age, maternal education, marital state, married, high school graduated thirties women was lower incidence than unmarried, high school graduated twenties women. Conclusion : These findings suggest that delayed childbearing increase the risk of low birth weight and very low birth weight, but if pregnant women have better socioeconomic condition, the impact of advanced maternal age on the risk of low birth weight will be decreased.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.439-445
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• 2013

Purpose: Previous studies suggest that the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in cord blood may show an inverse association with respiratory tract infections (RTI) during childhood. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of 25(OH)D concentrations in cord blood on infant RTI in a Korean birth cohort. Methods: The levels of 25(OH)D in cord blood obtained from 525 Korean newborns in the prospective COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases were examined. The primary outcome variable of interest was the prevalence of RTI at 6-month follow-up, as diagnosed by pediatricians and pediatric allergy and pulmonology specialists. RTI included acute nasopharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, otitis media, croup, tracheobronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. Results: The median concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was 32.0 nmol/L (interquartile range, 21.4 to 53.2). One hundred and eighty neonates (34.3%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations less than 25.0 nmol/L, 292 (55.6%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations of 25.0-74.9 nmol/L, and 53 (10.1%) showed concentrations of ${\geq}75.0$ nmol/L. Adjusting for the season of birth, multivitamin intake during pregnancy, and exposure to passive smoking during pregnancy, 25(OH)D concentrations showed an inverse association with the risk of acquiring acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age (P for trend=0.0004). Conclusion: The results show that 89.9% of healthy newborns in Korea are born with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (55.6% and 34.3%, respectively). Cord blood vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in healthy neonates is associated with an increased risk of acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age. More time spent outdoors and more intensified vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women may be needed to prevent the onset of acute nasopharyngitis in infants.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.749-755
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• 1998

Background: Twelve patients with acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot(TOF), characterized by the combination of a malaligned ventricular septal defect(VSD) and infundibular pulmonic stenosis with the clinical finding of acyanosis at rest, underwent surgical correction between January 1988 and July 1997. Materials and methods: 9.92% of patients with the diagnosis of TOF were acyanotic TOF in the same period. Ages ranged from 12 to 42 months(mean 25.2 months). 2D-echocardiographic studies, cardiac catheterization, and angiocardiograms were performed in all patients before operation. The preoperative mean systemic arterial oxygen saturation was 93.5%. According to the 2D-echocardiographic analysis, there was Lt-to-Rt shunt through VSD in 4 patients, bidirectional shunt in 2 patients, and no shunt in 6 patients. Results: The preoperative mean right ventricle to pulmonary artery(RV-PA) pressure gradients were 52.3 mmHg on 2D- echocardiogram and 48.4 mmHg on cardiac catheterization. The repair of ventricular septal defect was performed through a right atrial approach and the hypertrophic infundibular muscle bundles were resected by the transatrial and transpulmonary approach. Six patients(50%) received a transannular patch. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 135.0 minutes, and the aortic crossclamp time was 87.8 minutes. Postoperative complications included bleeding necessitating reentry in one and chylothorax in one. No patient died after operation and there were no late deaths. Postoperative 2D-echocardiograms revealed tiny patch dehiscence in 5 cases and a moderate RV-PA pressure gradients(mean 15.3 mmHg). All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class 1 after operation. Conclusions: acyanotic TOF is the uncommon form of TOF, and acyanotic TOF can be repaired with a good outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.5 s.262
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• pp.387-393
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• 2006

Background: Esophageal perforation is an uncommon problem, but it is associated with high mortality. We performed a retrospective review of patients with instrumental esophageal perforation to assess the outcome of current management techniques. Material and Method: We retrospectively analyzed all cases of instrumental esophageal perforation diagnosed at our hospital from January 1999 through to March 2005. The study group consisted of 12 patients (8 women and 4 men) with a mean age of 48.8 years (range, $21{\sim}83$ years). We reviewed the effects of the surgical or medical treatments in various conditions of patients, such as of various sites of perforation and time delayed after injury. Result: Perforations were due to diagnostic endoscopy (50.0%, 6/12), esophageal bougination for benign stricture (33.3%, 4/12), endoscopic port insertion (8.3%, 1/12), and tracheal intubation (8.3%, 1/12). The perforated sites were thoracic in 7 patients and cervical in 5. The treatment included resection and reconstruction (5 cases), incision and drainage (4 cases), medical treatment (2 cases), and closed thoracostomy drainage only (1 case). Post-operative complications of transient pneumonia and wound infection were developed in 1 patient respectively. Both occurred in two patients with diffuse mediastinal abscess formation. The overall mortality was 8.3% (1/12) in one old patient who was managed medically for cervical esophageal perforation. Conclusion: We concluded that surgical treatment for esophageal perforations was safe and effective whether diagnosed early or lately.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.220-225
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• 2009

Background: Sternoclavicular septic arthritis manifests serious complications such as abscess, osteomyelitis, mediastinitis and empyema; therefore, a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary. Material and Method: The treatment results of eight patients with sternoclavicular septic arthritis and who had been surgically treated at our institutions between September 2005 and July 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The surgical treatment they underwent was en bloc resection, including partial resection of the sternum, the clavicular head and the 1st rib. Result: The patients ranged in age from 40 to 74 years with an average of $55.1{\pm}10.3$ years. Five were men and three were women. There were 6 patients with spontaneous sternoclavicular septic arthritis and 2 patients had their condition induced by central venous catheters. The pathogens isolated from the patients’ blood and wounds were MRSA (3), Streptococcus intermedius (1), Streptococcus agalactiae (1) and Pseudomonas luteola (1). One patient expired from aggravation of preoperative sepsis on POD 31. Conclusion: The life-threatening complications from sternoclavicular septic arthritis can progress and lead to death unless appropriate treatment is administered. A prompt diagnosis, appropriate antibiotics therapy and effective surgical treatment such as radical en bloc resection can reduce the morbidity and mortality of this malady.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.765-769
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• 2007

Background: The curative treatment of choice for empyema is decortication of the pleura. The risks of this treatment however are increased for the patient with reduced pulmonary function, complicated calcification or septic shock. In the past, open window thoracostomy was a final stage treatment for chronic empyema. Relatively safe treatment of empyema could be achieved in difficult cases with a closure of the open window after open drainage and use of a myocutaneous flap (one stage or staged). Material and Method: A retrospective study of the cause, progression and final outcome of empyema patients who received open window thoracostomy was performed. 21 patients were followed from 1995 to 2004 in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in the College of Medicine, Pusan National University. Result: The average age of the patients was $57.5{\pm}15.5$ years (range $25{\sim}78$ years), of whom 16 (76.2%) were men and five (23.8%) were women. Pulmonary function test results showed an average FEV1 of $1.58{\pm}0.49 L$. The type of empyema was tuberculous empyema in 13 cases (61.9%), aspergillosis in three cases (14.3%), parapneumonic empyema in three cases (14.3%) and post-resectional empyema in two cases (10%). Bronchopulmonary fistula was seen in 14 cases. Eight cases were complicated by severe calcification of the pleura. For the four cases of bronchopulmonary fistula, the patients' serratus anterior muscle was covered in their first operation. The average number of ribs resected was $4{\pm}1$. Closure of the open window thoracostomy was performed in 12 cases. The average time to closure after open drainage was $10.22{\pm}3.11$ months and the average defect of the empyemal cavity before the final operation was $330{\pm}110 cc$. Among the 12 cases, there were two cases of spontaneous closure. In two cases closure was only achieved by using the reserved skin fold during the first surgery. Of the remaining eight cases, in seven we used the myocutaneous flap (four cases of lattisimus dorsi muscle and three cases of pectoralis major muscle), and in one case we used soft tissue. As regards complications of the closure, tissue necrosis occurred in one case, which led to failed closure, and there was one case of abdominal hernia in the rectus abdominis muscle flap. One patient died within 30 days of the surgery and one patient died of metastatic cancer. Conclusion: A staged operation with a final closure using open window thoracostomy, which consists of open drainage, transposition of the muscle and a myocutaneous flap, can be a safe and effective option for the chronic empyema patient who is difficult to cure with traditional surgical methods.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.826-831
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• 2005

Purpose : This study is directed to evaluate standardized developmental test performances of infants and children who, as fetuses, had mild isolated cerebral ventriculomegaly diagnosed by ultrasound. Methods : All prenatal sonographic findings from 2001 to 2002 were evaluated. Live isolated mild ventriculomegaly(IMVM) of 10-15 mm were observed in 95 cases(1.1 percent). Standardized developmental testing of 40 cases of IMVM and 36 cases in a comparison group were offered to parents Both groups of children were adjusted to normal antepatum subjects with respect to sex, race, indication for ultrasound and gestational age at the time of ultrasound. Test of cognitive and motor development(Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition; BSID-II) were administered by developmental examiners. Results : Forty cases and 34 comparison sujects completed the testing. The IMVM and comparison groups were similar with respect to parental age, gestational age, birth weight, familial socioeconomic status. The IMVM subjects scored lower than the comparison group on both the BSID-II, but there was not statistically significant. differences; metal development index(MDI)($92.7{\pm}12.9$ vs $94.7{\pm}14.1$, P=0.47) and psychomotor development index(PDI)($100.3{\pm}14.1$ vs $101.3{\pm}10.7$, P=0.75). Eleven cases(27.5 percent) of IMVM group and five cases(14.7 percent) of the comparison group were developmentally delayed, but most cases in both groups showed mild delays. Resolution or lack of progression, lateral ventricle diameter ${\leq}12mm$ and females were associated with better scores, but there were not statistically significant. Polarity, and head circumference were not related to later development. Conclusion : This study show children with MIVM did not delay performance in the developmental test, but we might suggest a tendency to increase the risk of mild developmental delay.