• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권10호
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• pp.440-444
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• 2014

Purpose: Febrile seizures are induced by fever and are the most common type of seizures in children. Although numerous studies have been performed on febrile seizures, their pathophysiology remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures. The present study was conducted to identify potential links between serum interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), and febrile seizures. Methods: Ninety-two patients with simple or complex febrile seizures (46 patients per seizure type), and 46 controls with comparable age, sex, and severity of temperature were enrolled. Results: The median concentrations of serum IL-$1{\beta}$ in the simple, complex febrile seizure, and control groups were 0.05, 0.1, and 0.67 pg/mL, respectively (P=0.001). Moreover, the median concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$ in the simple, complex febrile seizure, and control groups were 2.5, 1, and 61.5 pg/mL, respectively (P=0.001). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the case groups in serum IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: Unlike previous studies, our study does not support the hypothesis that increased IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ production is involved in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권12호
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• pp.534-539
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• 2013

Purpose: Electroencephalography (EEG) is frequently ordered for patients with febrile seizures despite its unclear diagnostic value. We evaluated the prevalence of abnormal EEGs, the association between clinical findings and abnormal EEGs, and the predictive value of EEG for the recurrence of febrile seizures Methods: Data were collected on 230 children who were treated for febrile seizures at Kyung Hee University Medical Center from 2005 to 2009. EEGs were recorded after 1-2 days of hospitalization when children became afebrile. EEG patterns were categorized as normal, epileptiform, or nonspecific relative to abnormalities. The patients' medical records were reviewed, and telephone interviews with the families of the children were conducted to inquire about seizure recurrence. The relationships between clinical variables, including seizure recurrence, and EEG abnormalities were evaluated. Results: Of the 131 children included, 103 had simple and 28 had complex febrile seizures. EEG abnormalities were found in 41 children (31%). EEG abnormalities were more common in children with complex than simple febrile seizures (43% vs. 28%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Logistical regression analysis showed that having multiple seizures in a 24-hour period was significantly predictive of abnormal EEG (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 88; P =0.048). The frequency of recurrence did not differ significantly in the normal (31%) and abnormal (23%) EEG groups. Conclusion: Multiple seizures within 24 hours were predictive of abnormal EEG in children with febrile seizures. Abnormal EEG was not predictive of febrile seizure recurrence.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권4호
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• pp.129-131
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• 2018

Purpose: The association between hypercalciuria and febrile convulsion is controversial. The present study aimed to investigate the statistical association between hypercalciuria and childhood febrile convulsions. Methods: Overall, 160 children aged 6 months to 5 years, including 80 children with febrile convulsion and 80 febrile children without convulsion (comparison group), were recruited. All laboratory tests, including 24-hour urine calcium, were undertaken in an academic clinical laboratory. Results: Forty-five children of the febrile convulsion group (60%) and 30 of the comparison group (40%) had hypercalciuria. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.02). Conclusion: Our results indicated that there is a statistical association between convulsion and hypercalciuria in children. Since we found this association with a cross-sectional assessment, further studies, especially prospective and controlled designs, are needed.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.15-20
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• 2017

Purpose: Febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the commonest bacterial infections in children. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of the first episode of febrile UTI occurring in children over 5 years compared to those in infants younger than a year. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10 patients over 5 years, having febrile UTI, and 25 controls under 1 year. Clinical characteristics including symptoms at admission, the time interval between symptom onset and hospital visit and/or diagnosis, duration of fever, urinalysis, and other laboratory and imaging test results were compared between the two groups. Results: Most patients in the control group showed only high fever at the time of presentation to the hospital. However, 60% of the case group had fever along with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal and flank pain, vomiting, as well as relatively mild pyuria. The case group showed a longer duration between symptom onset and hospital visit and/or diagnosis. Conclusions: Delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment of UTI increases the risk of permanent renal scarring and associated complications. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of febrile UTI is vital for very young infants, as well as children considering that febrile UTI could be an important cause of febrile illness in children over 5 years.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권2호
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• pp.74-79
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• 2016

Purpose: Febrile seizure, the most common type of pediatric convulsive disorder, is a benign seizure syndrome distinct from epilepsy. However, as epilepsy is also common during childhood, we aimed to identify the prognostic factors that can predict epilepsy in children with febrile seizures. Methods: The study comprised 249 children at the Korea University Ansan Hospital who presented with febrile seizures. The relationship between the subsequent occurrence of epilepsy and clinical factors including seizure and fever-related variables were analyzed by multivariate analysis. Results: Twenty-five patients (10.0%) had additional afebrile seizures later and were diagnosed with epilepsy. The subsequent occurrence of epilepsy in patients with a history of febrile seizures was associated with a seizure frequency of more than 10 times during the first 2 years after seizure onset (P<0.001). Factors that were associated with subsequent occurrence of epilepsy were developmental delay (P<0.001), preterm birth (P =0.001), multiple seizures during a febrile seizure attack (P =0.005), and epileptiform discharges on electroencephalography (EEG) (P =0.008). Other factors such as the age at onset of first seizure, seizure duration, and family history of epilepsy were not associated with subsequent occurrence of epilepsy in this study. Conclusion: Febrile seizures are common and mostly benign. However, careful observation is needed, particularly for prediction of subsequent epileptic episodes in patients with frequent febrile seizures with known risk factors, such as developmental delay, history of preterm birth, several attacks during a febrile episode, and epileptiform discharges on EEG.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.42-46
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• 2018

Purpose: We investigated whether the white blood cell (WBC) count to hemoglobin (Hgb) level ratio is correlated with the presence of cortical defects on dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: We examined 95 children who were consecutively admitted to our hospital with their first episode of febrile UTI. Blood tests (C-reactive protein [CRP], WBC, Hgb] were performed. All enrolled children underwent DMSA scanning during admission. Data were compared between children with positive and negative DMSA results. The correlations between WBC to Hgb ratio and the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan, and between WBC to Hgb ratio and CRP level were analyzed using the Pearson chi-squared test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether WBC to Hgb ratio could predict the cortical defects on DMSA scan in children with febrile UTI. Results: The WBC to Hgb ratio was significantly higher in children with positive DMSA results than in those with negative DMSA results; positively correlated with the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan and CRP; and was a significant factor for predicting the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan. Conclusion: The WBC to Hgb ratio may predict the presence of cortical defects on acute DMSA scans in children with febrile UTI.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.4549-4553
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• 2014

Background: Infection is a serious cause of mortality in febrile neutropenia of pediatric cancer patients. Recently, monotherapy has replaced the combination therapy in empirical treatment of febrile neutropenia. Since there has been no reported trial comparing the efficacy of meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) monotherapies, the present retrospective study was conducted to compare safety and efficacy in febrile neutropenic children with cancer. Materials and Methods: Charts of febrile, neutropenic children hospitalized at our center between March 2008 and April 2011 for hemato-oncological malignancies were reviewed. Patients received PIP/TAZ 360 mg/kg/day or meropenem 60 mg/kg/day intravenously in three divided doses. Duration of fever and neutropenia, absolute neutrophil count, modification, and success rate were compared between the two groups. Resolution of fever without antibiotic change was defined as success and resolution of fever with antibiotic change or death of a patient was defined as failure. Modification was defined as changing the empirical antimicrobial agent during a febrile episode. Results: Two hundred eighty four febrile neutropenic episodes were documented in 136 patients with a median age of 5 years. In 198 episodes meropenem and in 86 episodes PIP/TAZ were used. Duration of fever and neutropenia, neutrophil count, sex, and primary disease were not different between two groups. Success rates and modification rate between two groups showed no significant differences (p>0.05). Overall success rate in the meropenem and PIP/TAZ groups were 92.4% and 91.9% respectively. No serious adverse effects occurred in either of the groups. Conclusions: Meropenem and PIP/TAZ monotherapy are equally safe and effective in the initial treatment of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.376-380
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• 2007

목 적 : 중추 신경계를 제외한 기타 경미한 감염의 경우에 유발성 경련 및 열성 경련과의 연관성에 대해 조사하였고, 또한 이러한 경련 환아들을 추적해 보았을 때 비유발성 경련으로의 발현과는 어떠한 관련성을 보이는가에 관해 통계적으로 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 첫 경련을 주소로 내원한 환아 중에서 중추 신경계에 관련된 감염을 제외한 경미한 감염을 원인으로 하는 경우를 대상으로 하였고, 이를 유발성 경련과 열성 경련으로 구분하여 이에 따른 원인별 비교 및 역학적 조사를 실시하였다. 또한 이러한 유발성 경련과 열성 경련 환아를 대상으로 1년 이상의 추적 관찰을 시행하여 비유발성 경련으로의 이행 여부를 조사하고 통계 분석을 실시하였다. 결 과 : 총 120명의 환아들 중에서 유발성 경련은 36명, 열성 경련은 84명이었고, 여러 원인들 가운데 위장관염과 호흡기계 감염이 대부분을 차지하여 두 원인 군에 따른 비교 분석을 시행하였다. 유발성 경련의 경우는 위장관염이 가장 많은 원인을 차지하였고, 열성 경련의 경우는 호흡기계 감염이 많은 원인을 차지하였으며 이러한 경미한 감염원인 인자들과 경련과의 분포 차이는 통계적으로 유의하게 나타났다. 그러나 경련에 따른 비유발성 경련으로의 이행의 차이는 통계적으로 유의하지 않은 것으로 나타나 향후 보다 장기적인 추적관찰이 시행되어져야 할 것으로 사료된다. 결 론 : 소아에서 감염에 관련된 이러한 경련의 경우는 중추 신경계에 관련된 경우보다 경련에 대한 주의와 신속한 대처가 상대적으로 미흡했다고 볼 수 있다. 그러나 앞으로는 이러한 경미한 감염이 있는 경우에도 세심한 관찰과 주의가 필요하다고 보여지며 향후 비유발성 경련 발현에 대한 지속적인 추적관찰이 필요하다고 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권8호
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• pp.757-760
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• 2007

목 적 : 열성 경련은 간질과는 구별되는 양성 질환이지만 복합 열성 경련에서는 간질의 발생이 더 많은 것으로 알려져 있다. 복합 열성 경련의 정의에 해당하는 환자에서 간질 이행의 발생률이 증가하는지 알아보기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 열성 경련으로 건양대학교 병원 소아과를 방문하였던 환자들을 대상으로 후향적 연구를 시행하였으며 환자의 정보는 의무 기록 분석과 부모와의 면담을 통하여 조사하였다. 결 과 : 2000년 3월부터 2003년 12월까지 열성 경련으로 본원을 내원한 환아는 314명이었으며, 이 중 복합 열성 경련으로 진단받은 환아는 63명(20.0%)으로 12개월 이상 추적 관찰은 44명(44/63, 70.0%)에서 가능했다. 평균 $34.2{\pm}11.6$개월의 추적 관찰 기간동안 10명에서 간질이 발생하였고, 부분 발작(57.1%)을 한 경우가 2회 이상(26.7%) 또는 15분 이상의 경련(24.1%)과 비교하였을때 더 높은 간질 발생률을 보였다. 결 론 : 복합 열성 경련이 있는 환자에서 첫 열성 경련의 양상이 부분 발작의 형태로 나타난 경우에 이후 간질 발생 빈도가 높음을 알 수 있었다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.80-85
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• 2013

Purpose: Febrile seizures (FS) are seizures that occur between the age of 6 and 60 months, but its pathophysiology still is not fully understood. There is limited information about the correlation between levels of selenium and leptin with FS. This study aimed to determine the relationship between serum levels of selenium and leptin in children with FS. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in a University Hospital in Shahrekord, Iran, in 2011. The serum levels of selenium and leptin of 25 children with simple febrile seizure (case group) were compared with 25 febrile children without seizure (control group) in acute phase and after three months. The levels of serum selenium and leptin were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, respectively. Results: In acute phase, the mean serum level of selenium in case and control groups were $95.88{\pm}42.55$ and $113.25{\pm}54.43{\mu}g/dL$, respectively, and difference was not significant (P=0.415), but after three months, this level had a significant increase in both groups (P<0.001). In acute phase, the mean serum leptin level in case and control groups were $0.94{\pm}0.5$ and $0.98{\pm}0.84$ ng/mL, respectively, but difference was not significant (P=0.405). After three months, serum leptin level had no significant change in both groups (P=0.882). Conclusion: These observations suggest that serum levels of selenium and leptin have not specific relation with FS but overllay is lower, however, further study is recommended. Also selenium level in stress and acute phase was significantly lower than recovery phase.