• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1392-1395
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• 2009

Pulmonary vascular air embolism is a rare and, universally, almost a fatal complication of positive pressure ventilation in newborn infants. Here, we report a case of this unusual complication in a very-low-birth-weight infant who showed the clinical and radiological features of this complication along with pulmonary hypoplasia and massive hydrops. The possible pathogenesis has been discussed and a brief review of related literature has been presented.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2004

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation of gestational age and birth weight with weight gain of very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) during their hospital stay. Method: This is a 5 year retrospective study of which data were collected through review of medical records. Subjects were 124 VLBW infants with a birth weight more than 1000g and less than 1500g who received neonatal intensive care at the university hospital between January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2001. Result: After calculating the z scores of birth weights and discharge weights, z scores of discharge weight and birth weight were compared with the median weight of a fetus of comparable gestational age based on an intrauterine growth reference. There was a significant difference between z scores of birth weight and discharge weight(t=11.60, df=122, p=0.000). Regardless of intensive care during the prolonged hospital stay, VLBW infants showed slow growth rate compared with the median weight of a fetus of comparable gestational age. Conclusion: VLBW infants developed a poor velocity of weight gain during the prolonged hospital stay after birth. The development worsened during the period of physiological weight loss and regain, and they did not reach to comparable growth rate of normal fetus even at the time of discharge. This poor growth velocity of VLBW infants influence negatively for their future growth. Therefore nureses who work at the neonatal intensive care unit must develop an effective nursing intervention protocol to promote the velocity of weight gain and to conduct the parental educational sessions to emphasize the importance of weight gain for VLBW infants at home.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2015

Purpose: We investigated the iron status of very low birth weight infants receiving multiple erythrocyte transfusions during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: We enrolled 46 very low birth weight infants who were admitted to the Kyungpook National University Hospital between January 2012 and December 2013. Serum ferritin was measured on their first day of life and weekly thereafter. We collected individual data of the frequency and volume of erythrocyte transfusion and the amount of iron intake. Results: A total of 38 (82.6%) of very low birth weight infants received a mean volume of $99.3{\pm}93.5mL$ of erythrocyte transfusions in NICU. The minimum and maximum serum ferritin levels during hospitalization were $146.2{\pm}114.9ng/mL$ and $456.7{\pm}361.9ng/mL$, respectively. The total volume of erythrocyte transfusion was not correlated to maximum serum ferritin concentrations after controlling for the amount of iron intake (r=0.012, p=0.945). Non-transfused infants took significantly higher iron intake compared to infants receiving ${\geq}100mL/kg$ erythrocyte transfusion (p<0.001). Minimum and maximum serum ferritin levels of non-transfused infants were higher than those of infants receiving <100 mL/kg erythrocyte transfusions (p=0.026 and p=0.022, respectively). Infants with morbidity including bronchopulmonary dysplasia or retinopathy of prematurity received a significantly higher volume of erythrocyte transfusions compared to infants without morbidity (p<0.001). Conclusion: Very low birth weight infants undergoing multiply erythrocyte transfusions had excessive iron stores and non-transfused infants also might had a risk of iron overload during hospitalization in the NICU.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome after changes in the treatment strategies for very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) in a single neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) center. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 300 VLBWI born from 1st January 2010 to 31th December 2016. We compared the outcomes including survival rate, birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), and morbidities between period I (2010-2013, P-I) and period II (2014-2016, P-II). Results: The average survival rate was not different between P-I and P-II. However, the survival rate of ${\leq}24$ weeks' GA, 25 weeks' GA, 26 weeks' GA were 57%, 69%, 93% respectively in P-II and 31%, 59%, 87% in P-I respectively. The survival rate of infants with birth weight <500 g, 500-749 g, 750-999 g were 100%, 55%, 90% respectively in P- II and 50%, 24%, 80%, respectively in P-I. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was higher in P-II than in P-I (P=0.012) and moderate-to-severe BPD was also higher in P-II (P=0.004). Incidence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with treatment, necrotizing enterocolitis (stage ${\geq}2$), and abnormal brain sonography were significantly lower in P-II (P=0.027, P=0.032, P=0.005). Incidences of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with laser treatment and early sepsis were not different. Conclusion: The survival rate and complications of VLBWI were improved in period II, especially in less than 750 g and below 26 weeks, except incidence of BPD. Changes of NICU strategies were effective to improve mortality and morbidity in VLBWI.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2018

Purpose: Meconium-related ileus is common in preterm infants. Without proper management, it can cause necrotizing enterocolitis and perforation requiring emergent operation. This study was conducted to describe the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided Gastrografin enema at bedside for preterm infants with meconium-related ileus. Methods: Between March 2013 and December 2014, this study enrolled preterm infants with birth weight <1,500 g, who were diagnosed with meconium-related ileus requiring ultrasound-guided Gastrografin enema refractory to glycerin or warm saline enemas. Gastrografin was infused until it passed the ileocecal valve with ultrasound guidance at bedside. Results: A total of 13 preterm infants were enrolled. Gestational age and birth weight were 28.6 weeks (range, 23.9-34.3 weeks) and 893 g (range, 610-1,440 g), respectively. Gastrografin enema was performed around postnatal day 8 (range, day 3-11). The success rate was 84.6% (11 of 13 cases). Three of these 11 infants received a second procedure, which was successful. Among 2 unsuccessful cases, one failed to pass meconium while the other required surgery due to perforation. The time required to pass meconium was $2.8{\pm}1.5hours$ (range, 1-6 hours). The time until radiographic improvement was $2.8{\pm}3.4days$ (range, 1-14 days) after the procedure. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided Gastrografin enema at bedside as a first-line treatment to relieve meconium-related ileus was effective and safe for very low birth weight infants. We could avoid unnecessary emergent operation in preterm infants who have high postoperative morbidity and mortality. This could also avoid transporting small preterm infants to fluoroscopy suite.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.56-62
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• 2020

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion improves cardiorespiratory status of preterm infants by increasing circulating hemoglobin, improving tissue oxygenation, and reducing cardiac output. However, RBC transfusion itself has also been suggested to negatively affect short-term outcomes such as intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between RBC transfusion and short-term outcomes in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight, <1,500 g). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of VLBW infants admitted to the Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital between October 2010 and December 2017. Infants who died during hospitalization were excluded. The infants were divided into 2 groups according to RBC transfusion status. We investigated the relationship between RBC transfusion and short-term outcomes including BPD, ROP, NEC, and IVH. Results: Of the 250 enrolled VLBW infants, 109 (43.6%) underwent transfusion. Univariate analysis revealed that all short-term outcomes except early-onset sepsis and patent ductus arteriosus were associated with RBC transfusion. In multivariate analysis adjusted for gestational age, birth weight and Apgar score at 1 minute, RBC transfusion was significantly correlated with BPD (odds ratio [OR], 5.42; P<0.001) and NEC (OR, 3.40; P= 0.009). Conclusion: RBC transfusion is significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as NEC and BPD in VLBW infants. Careful consideration of the patient's clinical condition and appropriate guidelines is required before administration of RBC transfusions.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2021

Purpose: We investigated whether consecutive levels of new emerging renal biomarkers, including serum cystatin C (CysC) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)/creatinine (Cr) ratio, were affected by postconceptional age in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: Repeatedly measured samples for each infant were divided into four groups according to postnatal age: at birth (stage I), 3 to 7 days postnatally (stage II), 8 to 28 days postnatally (stage III), and >28 days postnatally (stage IV). The association between renal biomarkers and postconceptional age was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the mean values of renal biomarkers in the four stages were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: For samples measured at birth, serum CysC (r=-0.358, P=0.032) and urinary NGAL/Cr ratio (r=-0.522, P=0.001) were negatively correlated with gestational age, whereas serum Cr (r=0.148, P=0.390) was not. In addition, for all samples measured, serum CysC (r=-0.209, P=0.012), urinary NGAL/Cr ratio (r=-0.536, P<0.001), and serum Cr (r=-0.311, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with postconceptional age. Compared with the mean values of the postnatal age-specific stages, serum CysC showed no significant differences in any of the four stages. However, the urinary NGAL/Cr ratio in stage IV was significantly different from those in stages I to III. Conclusion: Although urinary NGAL/Cr ratio and serum CysC were negatively correlated with postconceptional age considering renal development, serum CysC showed no significant differences in any of the four postnatal age-specific stages. Urinary NGAL/Cr ratio at >28 days postnatally seems to be more affected by postconceptional age than serum CysC in VLBW infants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of shifts in maternal age and parity on the increasing trends in the low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) rates from 2005 to 2015 in South Korea. Methods: Data from 4 993 041 live births registered with Statistics Korea during the period between 2005 and 2015 were analyzed. Applying a modified standardization method, we partitioned the total increment in the LBW and VLBW rates into (1) the increase in the LBW and VLBW rates due to changes in the maternal age and parity distribution (AP-dis) and (2) the increase due to changes in the age-specific and parity-specific rates (AP-spe) of LBW and VLBW for singleton and multiple births, respectively. Results: During the study period, the total increment in the LBW and VLBW rates was 1.43%p and 0.25%p, respectively. Among singleton births, changes in the AP-dis accounted for 79% (0.34%p) and 50% (0.06%p) of the total increment in the LBW and VLBW rates, respectively. Meanwhile, among multiple births, changes in the AP-dis did not contribute to the increase in the LBW and VLBW rates, with 100% of the increase in the LBW (1.00%p) and VLBW (0.13%p) rates being attributed to changes in the AP-spe. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that shifts in maternal age and parity were prominent contributors to the increase in the LBW and VLBW rates among singleton births between 2005 and 2015 in South Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.183-185
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• 2011

Although outcomes of neonatal cardiac surgery have dramatically improved in the last two decades, low body weight still constitutes an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality. In particular, cardiac surgery in neonateswith very low birth weight (${\leq}$1.5 kg) is carried out with greater risk because most organ systems are immature. We report here on a successful case of early one-stage total repair of coarctation of the aorta and a ventricular septal defect in a 1,480 gram neonate.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.224-229
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• 2015

Purpose: Thyroid dysfunction is common in preterm infants. Congenital hypothyroidism causes neurodevelopmental impairment, which is preventable if properly treated. This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of thyroid dysfunction in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs), evaluate risk factors of hypothyroidism, and suggest the reassessment of thyroid function with an initially normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as part of a newborn screening test. Methods: VLBWIs (January 2010 to December 2012) were divided into two groups according to dysfunction-specific thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and associated factors were evaluated. Results: Of VLBWIs, 246 survivors were enrolled. Only 12.2% (30/246) of enrolled subjects exhibited thyroid dysfunction requiring thyroid hormone replacement. Moreover, only one out of 30 subjects who required thyroid hormone treatment had abnormal thyroid function in the newborn screening test with measured TSH. Most of the subjects in the treatment group (22/30) exhibited delayed TSH elevation. Gestational age, Apgar score, antenatal steroids therapy, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, postnatal steroids therapy, and duration of mechanical ventilation did not differ between the two groups. Birth weight was smaller and infants with small for gestational age were more frequent in the treatment group. Conclusion: Physicians should not rule out suggested hypothyroidism, even when thyroid function of a newborn screening test is normal. We suggest retesting TSH and free thyroxine in high risk preterm infants with an initially normal TSH level using a newborn screening test.