• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim for this study was to investigate clinical manifestation of seasonal influenza A and B during the 2012 winter season in Wonju, South Korea. Their clinical and laboratorial characteristics and effect of oseltamivir were compared and analyzed. Methods: Children under the age of 18 years who visited the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital with fever or acute respiratory symptoms and who were diagnosed with influenza A or B by rapid antigen test from nasopharyngeal swab were selected for the study. The medical records of patients were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Influenza A was detected in 374 patients (83.7%), and influenza B in 72 (16.6%). The incidence of influenza A was highest in February (n=186), while that of influenza B was highest in March (n=36). The most common symptoms were fever (n=434, 97.1%) and cough (n=362, 81.0%). No significant differences were observed between influenza A and B in symptoms and laboratory data. Patients who had used oseltamivir within 2 days showed statistically lower admission rate, shorter admission duration, and lower incidence of pneumonia. Conclusion: This study found no statistical difference between influenza A and B, in symptoms, progression, and laboratory test, but those who were treated with oseltamivir given within 2 days of the onset of fever experienced more positive outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.222-227
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• 2010

Purpose : To evaluate the significance of clinical signs and laboratory findings as predictors of renal parenchymal lesions and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in childhood urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods : From July 2005 to July 2008, 180 patients admitted with a first febrile UTI at the Pediatric Department of Konkuk University Hospital were included in this study. The following were the clinical variables: leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), positive urine nitrite, positive urine culture, and fever duration both before and after treatment. We evaluated the relationships between clinical variables and dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) results. Results : VCUG was performed in 148 patients; of them, 37 (25.0%) had VUR: 18 (12.2%) had low-grade (I-II) VUR, and 19 (10.5%) had high-grade (III-V) VUR. Of the 95 patients who underwent DMSA scanning, 29 (30.5%) had cortical defects, of which 21 (63.6%) had VUR: 10 (30.3%), low-grade (I-II) VUR; and 11 (33.3%), high-grade VUR. Of the 57 patients who were normal on DMSA scan, 8 (14.0%) had low-grade VUR and 6 (10.5%) had high-grade VUR. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the DMSA scan in predicting high-grade VUR were 64.7%, 69.9%, 33.3%, and 89.5%, respectively. Leukocytosis, elevated CRP, and prolonged fever ($36{\geq}$ hours) after treatment were significantly correlated with the cortical defects on DMSA scans and high-grade VUR. Conclusion : Clinical signs, including prolonged fever after treatment, elevated CRP, and leukocytosis, are positive predictors of acute pyelonephritis and high-grade VUR.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 2001

Propose : Tsutsugamushi fever is a acute febrile disease, which is caused by O. tsutsugamushi. Recently, this disease is increasingly reported in children. This study was undertaken to investigate clinical features of tsutsugamushi fever in children. Methods : This study involved 17 children with tsutsugamushi fever who were admitted to Masan Samsung hospital between September 1997 and December 2000. We investigated the age, sex ratio, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, response of therapy and prognosis. Results : The age of patients was $6.9{\pm}3.6$ years, ranging from 6 months to 12 years and male predilection(58.8%) was noted and all cases of patients occured in October or November. The most common symptoms were fever in all cases and headache in 8(47.1%). The most common signs were skin rash in all cases, eschar in 14(82.4%) and lymphadenopathy 8(47.1%). Locations of the eschars were back and inguinal area in each 3 cases, neck and chest in each 2, popliteal area in 2, scalp and thigh in each 1. Laboratory findings included anemia in 1 case, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in each 5, hematuria and proteinuria in each 1, ESR elevation in 2 and positive CRP in 12, AST elevation in 9 and ALT elevation in 7. Serologic diagnosis was made by passive hemagglutination assay(PHA) in 8 cases(47%) on admission, 4 cases in initial negative group were performed follow-up test at 2nd or 3rd weeks of illness and then all cases of 4 were converted to positive reaction. Clinical improvement was noticed in all cases after treatment to chloramhenicol or doxycycline. Mean duration for defervescence after treatment was $1.4{\pm}0.8$ days. Complications were interstitial pneumonia in 1 case and aseptic meningitis in 3, but all cases of patients were recovered without sequelae or recurrence. Conclusions : Tsutsugamushi fever in children was similiar to adult in the clinical features except male predilection. Early diagnosis and empirical treatment based on clinical manifestations such as fever, skin rash, eschar, lymphadenopathy is important and serologic diagnosis need to perform follow-up test at 2nd or 3rd weeks of illness.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2003

Filgrastim is used as an indispensable adjuvant drug to reduce the degree and duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The purpose of this research is to study the use of filgrastim by reviewing retrospective medical records of breast cancer patients who have been treated by filgtastim in the National Cancer Center. 84 patients have received 323 cycles of chemotherapy, of which 134 cycles were treated by filgrastim $(41.5\%)$. Among those 134 cycles, 34 were for prophylaxis $(21.6\%)$, and 100 for treatment of neutropenia $(74.6\%)$. The frequence of filgrastim usage was more than $50\%$ in frequency with regimens containing docetaxel. For prophylaxis, the median of filgrastim initiation was measured on the day of chemotherapy (-3rd-13th). For the treatment, on the other hand, the median appeared on the 9th day (4th-2lst) after chemotherapy, which showed very wide distribution. Time to filgrastim initiation ranged between the 7th and the 9th day after chemotherapy in docetaxel+doxorubicin combination regimen and docetaxel single regimen, whereas it showed after the 10th day in doxorubicin+cyclophosphamide combination regimens. For the treatment, 48 out of 61 patients $(73.8\%)$ in 63 cycles have experienced fever, had to visit the emergency room, required hospitalization, caused infection, transfusion, dosage reduction and schedule changes in spite of using filgrastim with chemotherapy. For prophylaxis, 11 out of 19 patients $(17.9\%)$ in 11 cycles have experienced the same results. In conclusion, the guideline of time to the initiation and the last is required for cost-effective administration of filgrastim because of the difference occurring ANC nadir, the severity and duration of neutropenia by chemotherapy regimens.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.135-140
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• 2020

Background: Breastfeeding reportedly reduces the overall frequency of infections. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most common respiratory pathogen in infants, involves recurrent wheezing and has a pathogenic mechanism related to airway structural damage. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether breastfeeding has a beneficial effect against RSV-induced respiratory infection compared to formula feeding among infants in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of infants under 1 year of age who were admitted with RSV infection between January 2016 and February 2018 at the department of pediatrics of 4 hospitals. We investigated the differences in clinical parameters such as cyanosis, chest retraction, combined infection, fever duration, oxygen use, oxygen therapy duration, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and corticosteroid treatment of exclusive breast milk feeding (BMF), artificial milk formula fed (AMF), and mixed feeding (MF) groups. Results: Among the 411 infants included in our study, 94, 161, and 156 were included in the BMF, MF, and AMF groups, respectively. The rates of oxygen therapy were significantly different among the BMF (4.3%), MF (8.1%), and AMF (13.5 %) groups (P=0.042). The odds ratios (ORs) for oxygen therapy was significantly higher in the AMF group than in the BMF group (adjusted OR, 3.807; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-11.90; P=0.021). The ICU admission rate of the BMF group (1.1%) was lower than that of the MF (3.5%) and AMF (4.5%) groups; however, the dissimilarity was not statistically significant (P=0.338). Conclusion: The severity of RSV infection requiring oxygen therapy was lower in the BMF than the AMF group. This protective role of human milk on RSV infection might decrease the need for oxygen therapy suggesting less airway damage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 1978

After the advent of the effective antimicrobial drugs, empyema of the pleural cavity came to be considered an infrequent disease. However, in recent years the problem of empyema is increasing, probably due to bacterial changes associated with the use and misuse of antimicrobials as well as alterations in the host associated with increased longevity and chronic disease. During the 10 years period from 1957, Sop. to 1977, Aug., we experienced 152 cases of empyema, of which 37 were scheduled on open thoracotomy drainge for chronic empyema. 1. The ratio of male to female was 3.6:1 with male predominance and 64% of total was above 40 years old in age distribution. 2. The cardinal symptoms were fever[70%], dyspnea[40.5%], and sputum[40.5%]. The leucocytosis were observed in 75.7% of all cases. The hemoglobin level showed subnormal in 21.6% of all cases. 3- The underlying pathology predisposing to empyema were postoperative empyema [35.1%] and tuberculosis[32.4%] in order. 4. The pathologic organisms by bacterial culture in 37 patients were Pseudomonas [24.3%], Staphylococccus [21.6%], Streptococcus [21.6%]., no growth [8. 1%] and the remainders. 5. The late results were as follow; a. Spontaneous closure was seen in 10 patients and all of them belongs to non-tuberculous group. Their mean duration was 14 months. b. Still opened are eight; 6 in tuberculous group, remainders in non-tuberculous group. c. Secondary closure was performed in 6 patients, of which 5 cases showed successful secondary closure but one failed. The mean duration from OTD to secondary closure was 46.3 days. d. Eleven patients were not followed. e. Two patients were expired; one was due to progressive cachexia and pulmonary insufficiency, the other due to gastrointestinal bleeding unrelated to empyema.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.271-277
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• 2014

Purpose: A nationwide outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MP) refractory to macrolide antibiotics occurred in Korea during 2011. Steroid therapy has been reported to be both efficacious and well tolerated in pediatric patients with refractory MP. We compared clinical features and laboratory characteristics between children with refractory MP requiring steroid treatment and those with macrolide-responsive MP and evaluated the risk factors associated with refractory MP. Methods: We investigated 203 children who were admitted to our institution with MP from June to November 2011. Refractory MP was defined by persistent fever over $38.3^{\circ}C$ with progressive pulmonary consolidation or pleural effusion despite administration of appropriate macrolide antibiotics for 5 days or longer after admission. Steroid therapy was initiated on the fifth day after admission for refractory cases. Results: There were 26 patients with refractory MP requiring steroid therapy. The mean duration of steroid therapy was 5.4 days and most of the patients were afebrile within 24 hours after initiation of steroid therapy. The prevalence of refractory MP was higher in patients with pleural effusion, lobar pneumonia affecting more than 2 lobes, higher levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase, increased oxygen requirements, and longer duration of hospitalization. Atopic sensitization and history of asthma were also associated with refractory MP after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusion: Children with refractory MP had more severe pneumonia. Atopic sensitization and history of asthma may be risk factors for refractory MP requiring steroid therapy in Korean children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.12
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• pp.652-660
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• 2021

Background: Viral load and shedding duration are highly associated with the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, limited studies have reported on viral load or shedding in children and adolescents infected with sudden acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the natural course of viral load in asymptomatic or mild pediatric cases. Methods: Thirty-one children (<18 years) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were hospitalized and enrolled in this study. Viral loads were evaluated in nasopharyngeal swab samples using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (E, RdRp, N genes). cycle threshold (Ct) values were measured when patients met the clinical criteria to be released from quarantine. Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.8 years, 18 (58%) had mild disease, and 13 (42%) were asymptomatic. Most children were infected by adult family members, most commonly by their mothers. The most common symptoms were fever and sputum (26%), followed by cough and runny nose. Nine patients (29%) had a high or intermediate viral load (Ct value≤30) when they had no clinical symptoms. Viral load showed no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Viral rebounds were found in 15 cases (48%), which contributed to prolonged viral detection. The mean duration of viral detection was 25.6 days. Viral loads were significantly lower in patients with viral rebounds than in those with no rebound (E, P=0.003; RdRp, P=0.01; N, P=0.02). Conclusion: Our study showed that many pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experienced viral rebound and showed viral detection for more than 3 weeks. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between viral rebound and infectiousness in COVID-19.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2005

Purpose : A wide, epidemic outbreak of M. pneumoniae pneumonia occurred throughout Korea in late 2003. Compared with previous years, the 2003 outbreak resulted in more severe cases and in an increased incidence of extrapulmonary symptoms and/or complications. We compared the clinical characteristics for M. pneumoniae pneumonia of 2003 to those of the past years. Methods : One hundred six children diagnosed with M. pneumoniae pneumonia by serologic tests at Bundang Cha General Hospital between Aug 2003 to April 2004 were enrolled. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, for clinical, laboratory and radiological aspect as well as complications. The pleural effusions of 3 patients who underwent thoracentesis were also analyzed. Results : The duration of fever, cough, rhinorrhea, and sore throat was $8.2{\pm}4.7$, $22.1{\pm}4.8$, $8.4{\pm}2.1$, $4.3{\pm}1.2$ days, respectively. The incidence (percentage) and duration of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, skin rash, arthralgia was $5.1{\pm}2.5$ (21.9%), $3.4{\pm}2.1$ (17.1%), $4.3{\pm}1.8$ (16.2%), $3.5{\pm}2.1$ (14.4%), $5.5{\pm}0.7$ (5.9%) and $4.6{\pm}1.3$ days (4.9%), respectively. The mean duration of admission and treatment were $7.4{\pm}4.3$ days and $21.6{\pm}11.1$ days. Higher values of CRP and ESR on admission were positively correlated with the duration of fever and length of admission. The findings of pleural effusion were similar to those seen in TB pleurisy. Complications, including myocarditis (2 cases), arthritis (3 cases), vasculitis (5 cases), asthma (3 cases), ARDS (1 case), and DIC (2 cases) were observed in 14.1% of patients. Conclusion : We found a number of characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia among cases from late 2003 that were different from those of previous years. This outbreak resulted in more severe cases and in an increased incidence of extrapulmonary symptoms and/or complications. A multicenter study is needed to verify the changes in clinical characteristics observed during the 2003 outbreak from previous ones.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2016

Purpose: Early diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection have been emphasized to prevent renal scarring. If untreated, acute pyelonephritis could cause renal injury, which leads to renal scarring, hypertension, proteinuria, and chronic renal failure. The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors of renal scarring after treatment of acute pyelonephritis (APN). Methods: The medical records of 59 patients admitted at Daegu Fatima Hospital because of APN between March 2008 and April 2015 whose renal cortical defects were confirmed by using initial technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scans were reviewed retrospectively. We divided 59 patients into 2 groups according to the presence of renal scar and assessed risk factors of renal scar, including sex, age at diagnosis, feeding method, hydronephrosis, bacterial species, vesicoureteral reflux, and vesicoureteral reflux grade. Results: Of 59 patients (41%), 24 showed renal scar on follow-up DMSA scan. No significant differences in sex, hydronephrosis, bacterial species, and fever duration were found between the renal-scarred and non-scarred groups. As for age at diagnosis, age of >12 months had 5.8 times higher incidence rate of renal scarring. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) affected renal scar formation. VUR grade III or IV had 14.7 times greater influence on renal scar formation than VUR grade I or II. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the presence of VUR and its grade and age at diagnosis are risk factors of renal scar on follow-up DMSA scan after APN.