• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.226-231
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• 2020

Background: Probiotics and prebiotics have strain-specific effects on the host. Synbiotics, a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics, are proposed to have more beneficial effects on the host than either agent has alone. Purpose: We performed a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium together with oligosaccharides and lactoferrin on the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or sepsis in very low birth weight neonates. Methods: Neonates with a gestational age ≤32 weeks and birth weight ≤1,500 g were enrolled. The study group received a combination of synbiotics and lactoferrin, whereas the control group received 1 mL of distilled water as placebo starting with the first feed until discharge. The outcome measures were the incidence of NEC stage ≥2 or late-onset cultureproven sepsis and NEC stage ≥2 or death. Results: Mean birth weight and gestational age of the study (n=104) and the control (n=104) groups were 1,197±235 g vs. 1,151±269 g and 29±1.9 vs. 28±2.2 weeks, respectively (P>0.05). Neither the incidence of NEC stage ≥2 or death, nor the incidence of NEC stage ≥2 or late-onset culture-proven sepsis differed between the study and control groups (5.8% vs. 5.9%, P=1; 26% vs. 21.2%, P=0.51). The only significant difference was the incidence of all stages of NEC (1.9% vs. 10.6%, P=0.019). Conclusion: The combination of synbiotics and lactoferrin did not reduce NEC severity, sepsis, or mortality.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.289-294
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• 2002

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.12
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• pp.438-439
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• 2019

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.28-30
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• 2021

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.643-648
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• 2007

Purpose : Sepsis is a common complication in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), seen especially in low birth weight (LBW) infants. A recent study showed that fungal or gram-negative sepsis is associated with a greater degree of thrombocytopenia than is seen with gram-positive sepsis. So, this study was undertaken to examine the platelet counts and platelet indices in LBW infants during episodes of sepsis. Methods : We analyzed 36 cases with culture-proven sepsis on chart review in LBW infants admitted to the NICU at Wonkwang University Hospital from January 2001 to June 2006. Results : Patients were grouped by organism type: gram-positive bacteria ($1,521{\pm}309g$, $31.3{\pm}2.9wk$, 15/36), gram-negative bacteria ($1,467{\pm}290g,\;30.6{\pm}3.6wk$, 17/36), and fungi ($1,287{\pm}205g,\;30.0{\pm}3.9wk$, 4/36). The most common organism was Staphylococcus epidermis and the incidence of thrombocytopenia was 88.9%. When compared with infants with gram-positive sepsis, those with gram-negative sepsis had significantly higher incidences of thrombocytopenia, lower initial platelet count, lower platelet nadir, and greater mean percentage decrease in platelet count from before the onset of sepsis. Those with fungal infections were similar to gram-negative sepsis, but they were not significant because of the small number of patients. And mean platelet volume (MPV) in sepsis was increased more significantly in time of platelet nadir than before the onset of sepsis. Conclusion : We conclude that decrease in platelet count was significantly greater in gram-negative sepsis than gram-positive sepsis, and also greater than fungal sepsis-which was insignificant because of the small number of patients-in LBW infants. And elevation in MPV will be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in LBW infants.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.336-341
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• 2015

Sepsis is a life-threatening, infectious, systemic inflammatory disease. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of α-cubebenoate, a novel compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis against polymicrobial sepsis in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) experimental model. Administration of α-cubebenoate strongly enhanced survival in the CLP model. α-cubebenoate administration also markedly blocked CLP-induced lung inflammation and increased bactericidal activity by enhancing phagocytic activity and hydrogen peroxide generation in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and neutrophils. Expression of two important inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 and IL-6, was strongly increased in the CLP model, and this was dramatically blocked by α-cubebenoate. Lymphocyte apoptosis and caspase-3 activation, which are associated with immune paralysis during sepsis, were markedly attenuated by α-cubebenoate. Taken together, our findings indicate that α-cubebenoate, a natural compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis, is a powerful potential anti-septic agent. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(6): 336-341]

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.217-223
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• 2019

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic value of eosinopenia and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Neonatology Ward of R.D. Kandou General Hospital Manado between July and October 2017. Samples were obtained from all neonates meeting the inclusion criteria for EONS. Data were encoded using logistic regression analysis, the point-biserial correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, with a P value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Of 120 neonates who met the inclusion criteria, 73 (60.8%) were males and 47 (39.2%) were females. Ninety (75%) were included in the sepsis group and 30 (25%) in the nonsepsis group. The mean eosinophil count in EONS and non-EONS groups was $169.8{\pm}197.1cells/mm^3$ and $405.7{\pm}288.9cells/mm^3$, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The diagnostic value of eosinopenia in the EONS group (cutoff point: $140cells/mm^3$) showed 60.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. The mean NLR in EONS and non-EONS groups was $2.82{\pm}2.29$ and $0.82{\pm}0.32$, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The diagnostic value of NLR in the EONS group (cutoff point, 1.24) showed 83.3% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. Conclusion: Eosinopenia has high specificity as a diagnostic marker for EONS and an increased NLR has high sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic marker for EONS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.332-337
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• 2013

Purpose: To identify the frequency of bacterial isolates in early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Methods: A retrospective study of EONS was conducted at the Beni Suef University Hospital from September 2008 to September 2012. A case of EONS was defined as an infant who had clinical signs of infection or who was born to a mother with risk factors for infection, and in whom blood culture obtained within 72 hours of life grew a bacterial pathogen. Results: Of 673 neonates screened, there were 138 positive blood cultures (20.5%) (confirmed EONS). Of the recovered isolates, 86.2% were gram-negative pathogens. Klebsiella pneumoniae (42.8%), Enterobacter cloacae (22.5%), and Escherichia coli (13.8%) were the commonest isolated organisms. The most common gram-positive microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus accounting for only 12 isolates (8.7%). All Klebsiella isolates and 93% of Enterobacter isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Gram-negative pathogens had the maximum overall sensitivity to imipenem, cefepime, and ciprofloxacin; whereas, gram-positive isolates were most susceptible to vancomycin, imipenem, and piperacillin. Conclusion: K. pneumoniae was the predominant causative bacteria of EONS followed by E. cloacae and E. coli. There was a high resistance to ampicillin. Imipenem had the maximum overall activity against the causative bacteria. Continuous surveillance is needed to monitor the changing epidemiology of pathogens and antibiotic sensitivity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.602-605
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• 2003

Acute gastroenteritis due to Salmonella species, which usually improves on conservative treatment, can progress to sepsis and extraintestinal focal infection in very young infants. Frequent sites for extraintestinal infections are meninges, bone, joints, spleen and intravascular sites but scrotal abscess due to salmonella in children has been very rare. Literature search revealed only one newborn case of scrotal abscess with bacteremia due to salmonella group D which developed after circumcision. We, herein, report a 42 day old infant who initally presented with diarrhea that progressed to sepsis and scrotal abscess. Despite the use of susceptible antibiotics, the patient improved only after surgical drainage.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2000

Multisystem organ failure resulting from gram negative bacterial sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in surgical neonates. There are differences in the clinical characteristics of organ failure in neonates and adults. The purpose of this study is to identify the differences and determine the order of organ failure between baby rats and adult rats after induction of gram negative sepsis. Fifty baby rats less than 30-day-old and another 50 adult rats more than 2-month-old were divided into control group (G1) and experimental group (G2). The G1 consisted of 10 baby- and 10 adult-rats, and the G2 consisted of 40 babies and 40 adults. E. coli ($10^8/mL$ per 100g of body weight) were injected into the peritoneal cavity in G2 and same amount of saline was injected in G 1. Blood samples were obtained before injection, 24 hour, 48 hour, 72 hour and after death. WEC, platelet, $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$, total bilirubin, BUN, creatinine, albumin and abdominal wall thickness were measured to evaluate the sequence of organ failure. The mortality was 55.0 % in G2-babies and 32.5 % in G2-adults. In baby rats, microvascular, hematologic and renal failure appeared within 24 hours after injection and pulmonary failure followed. Pulmonary, renal and liver failure developed within 24-48 hours in adult rats; however, microvascular failure did not appear until they were moribund. Thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, increased BUN and generalized edema was the earlist sign of sepsis in baby rats.