• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.805-812
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• 1998

Background: Among the variety of opportunistic infections, pneumonia comprises the major morbidity in immunocompromised patients. Pneumocystis carnii pneumonia (PCP) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia are common infectious illness of immunocompromised hosts. Although there are many reports regarding to the co-infection of PCP and CMV diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid examination, the effects of CMV co-infection on the outcome of PCP is still controversial. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effects of CMV detected by BAL fluid examination on the clinical course of PCP in the immunocompromised patients other than human immunodeficiency virus infection. Method: Ten patients with PCP were enrolled and retrospective analysis of their medical records were done. HIV infected persons were excluded. The PCP was diagnosed by BAL fluid examination with Calcofluor-White staining. CMV was detected in BAL fluid by Shell-vial culture system. Chest radiographic findings were reviewed. We used Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test for statistical analysis of data. Results: The underlying disorders of patients were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n=1), renal transplantation (n=4), necrotizing vasculitis (n=l), systemic lupus erythematosus (n=1), brain tumor (n=1), chronic myelogenous leukemia (n=1), unidentified (n=1). There were no difference in clinical course, APACHE III score, arterial blood gas analysis, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, serum albumin concentration, chest radiographic findings and mortality between patients with PCP alone (n=4) and those with CMV co-infection (n=6). Univariate analysis regarding to the factors that associated with mortality of PCP were revealed that the application of mechanical ventilation (p=0.028), the level of APACHE III score (p=0.018) and serum albumin concentration (p=0.048) were related to the mortality of patients with PCP. Conclusion: The clinical course of PCP patients co-infected by CMV were not different from PCP only patients. Instead, accompanied respiratory failure, high APACHE III score and poor nutritional status were associated with poor outcome of PCP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2009

Background: Serum procalcitonin level has been considered prognostic during sepsis and septic shock. We investigated the significance of procalcitonin in critically ill patients with respiratory infections. Methods: The patients who had radiographically diagnosed diffuse lung infiltrations were enrolled on a prospective basis. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid for the purpose of quantitative cultures (${\geq}10^4$ cfu/mL) was obtained from all patients. Serum procalcitonin levels determined by PCT-Q kit were measured on BAL day and classified as follows; <0.5 ng/mL, 0.5~2.0 ng/mL, 2.0~10.0 ng/mL and >10.0 ng/mL. We analyzed the patient's characteristics according to outcome; favorable or unfavorable, defined as death. Results: Patients from the following categories were included: medical 17 (47.2%), surgical 9 (25%), and burned 10 (27.8%). APACHE II scores on admission to intensive care unit were 11.5${\pm}$6.89 and 11 (30.6%) had unfavorable outcomes. A procalcitonin level ${\geq}$0.5 ng/mL was in 17 (47.2%) of all. On univariate analysis, the frequencies of burn injury, mechanical ventilation, multiple organ failure, and a procalcitonin level ${\geq}$0.5 ng/mL were more often increased in patients with unfavorable outcomes than in those with favorable outcomes (p<.05). Also, a higher procalcitonin range and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were more closely associated with an unfavorable outcome (p<.05). However in multivariate analysis, a strong predictor of unfavorable outcome was burn injury (p<.05). A procalcitonin level ${\geq}$0.5 ng/mL was more sensitive in predicting VAP than unfavorable outcome. Conclusion: A higher procalcitonin level seems to be associated with VAP, but further study is required to know that procalcitonin would be a prognostic marker in critically ill patients with respiratory infections.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.597-607
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• 1995

1960년대 이후 인공호흡기(mechanical ventilator)의 보급과 최근 의료과학의 발달, 간호의 질적 향상의 결과로 저체중출생아를 포함한 고위험 신생아의 생존율이 높아져왔다. 호흡장애증후군(RDS)은 일차적으로 폐포의 완전한 확장을 위해 필요한 계면활성물질(surfactant)의 부족, 미발달된 심폐기능에 의한 병리적 현상으로 저체중아의 가장 큰 원인이 되어왔다. RDS로 인해 인공호흡기에 의존해 있는 저체중아의 경우 적절한 산소공급과 이를 위한 호흡의 유지는 치료의 가장 큰 핵심이 되며, 이를 위한 기관내 흑은 비인두 흡인 (nasopharyngeal suction)은 신생아 중환자실(NICU)의 가장 중요한 간호행위가 되어왔다. 인공호흡기를 위한 기관삽관은 그 자체가 기도의 성모운동을 방해하고 기침반사를 억제시켜 폐 분비물의 효과적 배출을 억제하며, 특히 저체중아의 경우 조산과 관련하여 미발달된 흥곽운등과 심폐기능은 폐분비물의 이동을 저해하는 요소이다. 따라서 기도내의 분비물의 이동을 효과적으로 하여 흡인 시에 최대한의 효과를 돕기 위해 흥곽 물리요법(chest physiotheraphy : CPT)의 한 형태인 흉곽진동법 (Chest Vibration : CV)가 행해져 왔다. 그러나 저체중아를 위한CV의 임상적 적용은 그 대상의 생리적 특성, CV의 적용부위(site)와 기간(duration)에 대한 과학적 근거 없이 만성감염이나 폐질환을 가진 성인이나 cystic fibrosis환자를 위한 CV protocol을 무분별하게 채택하여 저체중아에게 행하여져 왔다 이에 본 연구자는 저체중아에 대한 CV의 안전성을 평가하고, 이에 기초하여 저체중아에게 바람직한CV의 형태를 알아보고자 본 연구를 시작하였다. 연구설계는 CV의 안전성을 평가하기 위한 실험연구이다. CV의 안전성은 RDS치료의 가장 일차적 목표인 oxygenation변화에 의해 평가될 수 있으므로, 본 실험 연구에서는 Pulse oximeter에 의해 계속적으로 측정된 산소포화 변화(oxygen saturation change)를 측정하였다. 실험대상은 미국동부에 위치한 대학병원의 NICU에 입원하여 RDS와 관련된 호흡장애로 인공호흡기에 의존해 있는 10명의 저체중아였다. 인공호흡기에 의존된 모든 저체중아는 Pulse oximeter와 심폐기능 측정기(cardiopulmonary monitor)에 의해 산소공급과 호흡상태가 계속 측정되고 있었다. 실험대상의 평균 출생시 몸무게는 평균 1,3050gm(SD=580.6)이었고, 임신월령 은 평균 28.6주(SD=3.1)였다. RDS가 그들의 일차적 진단명이었고, 그중 4명은 pneumonia, atelectasis의 합병증을 가지고 있었다. 10명중 6명은 intermittent mandatory ventilation(IMV)의 형태로, 4명은 continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)의 형태로 인공호흡기에 의존되어 있었고 CV시의 FiO2는 평균 42.3(SD=21.2)였다. CV는 중환아용 소형진동기 (minivibrator)를 이용해 가각 10명 의 간호사에 의해 행하여 졌고, 최소 22초에서 최대 100초 동안 실시되었다. 50%의 간호사는 30초에서 40초간 CV를 실시하였으며, CV의 적용부위도, 전후 흉곽부위, 혹은 병변이 있는 좌 우측, 흑은 양쪽 흉벽 등으로 다양했고, 적용방법도 원형으로 돌려가며(circular motion), 혹은 아래에서 위로, 혹은 아무런 기준없이 간호사의 기호에 따라 다양하게 적용되었다. 산소포화의 변화는 CV가 행해지기 전.후로 5초동안 관찰되었다. 연구의 결과, 산소포화 변화는 비 모수통계(non parametric statistics)의 일종인 Matched Paired Wilcoxon test로 분석 한 결과 CV후에 3%의 감소를 보였다(P<.05). 저체중아에 있어 산소포화의 3%감소는 임상적으로 중요한 의미가 없다고 사료되어지며, 실제 흡인전의 과도호흡에 의해 CV를 행하기 이전의 산소공급수준으로 돌아 왔다. CV실시 기간과 산소포화와의 상관관계는 비 모수통계인 Spearman rho correlation coefficient를 이용하여 분석하였는데, 이 두 변수는 서로 관계가 없는 것으로 나타났다(P>.05) 또한 CV와 흡인 후에 각각의 간호사들에게 CV를 필요로 한 저체중아의 기준, 적용부위, 기간, 방법등에 대한 기준을 물었으나 대상의 특성에 따른 간호사정에 의존하기보다는 간호사 각자의 선호하는 방법이나 습관에 라 행하는 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 CV와 산소포화 변화와의 관계, NICU에서 관찰된 CV의 임상적 적용을 기초로 저체중아에게 안전한 CV protocol은 신생아용 소형 진동기를 이용하여, 양쪽 흉곽의 늑골하측 변연 부위(low lateral costal margin)에서 시작하여 흉골 중앙부위 방향으로 30초 동안 진동기를 적용하는 것이 좋은 것으로 나타났다. 이에 CV의 효과를 평가하기 위한 보다 과학적인 접근방법으로, CV와 흡인의 결과인 가래(sputum)에 대한 연구를 제언하는 바이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.806-812
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• 1999

Background: Selection of reconstruction route in esophageal cancer surgery is based on the patient's status, characteristics of tumor, surgeon's preference and experience. Of the various routes, it has been documented that subcutaneous or substernal route may prolong operation time and may be vulnerable to postoperative respiratory complications. This study was designed to evaluate whether the selection of reconstruction route affects the surgical outcomes. Material and Method: Of 131 patients who have undergone resection and reconstruction for esophageal cancer, posterior mediastinal route(Group I, n=34), substernal route (Group II, n=31), and subcutaneous route(Group III, n=21) were retrospectively reviewed in 86 patients. Results of early operations and morbidities were compared between the groups. Result: There was a male prevalence(79 of males vs. 7 of females). There were 81 squamous cell cancers and 5 adenocarcinomas. There were no differences between groups in weight, height, age, cancer staging and location, and in the preoperative anesthetic risk evaluation and pulmonary function test(p=NS). Postoperative mechanical ventilation time was longer in Group I(20.6 hours) than in Group II(7.8 hours) or III(3.4 hours)(p=0.005). Duration of stay in the intensive care unit was prolonged in Group III(6.4 days) compared to Group I (3.9 days) or II(3.1 days)(p=0.043). No differences were noted in the duration of hospital stay between the groups(p=NS). Blood transfusion was needed in 30 out of 34 patients in Group I compared to 14/31 in Group II or 15/21 in Group III(p=0.001). The mean amount of transfusion for each patient was also higher in Group I(3,833 mL) than in Group II(1535 mL) or Group III(1419 mL)(p=0.04), but there was no difference in the inreoperation due to bleeding. Ea ly mortality rate was substantially higher in Group I(17.6%) but the differences between the groups were insignificant(p=NS). Although sepsis was a more prevalent cause of death in Group I, it was not related to anastomotic leak. Other morbidities did not differ between the groups(p=NS). Conclusion: In above results show that the reconstruction route does not affect the outcome of esophageal cancer surgery. We believe that the selection of reconstruction route can be based on the surgeon's preference and experience.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.308-312
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• 2015

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of tramadol hydrochloride on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane ($MAC_{ISO}$) in dogs. Six healthy, female German shepherd dogs (aged 1-2 years) were used in this study. Anesthesia was induced by mask induction and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Mechanical ventilation maintained the end-tidal $CO_2$ partial pressure ($P_{ET}CO_2$) from 35 to 45 mmHg throughout the study. A baseline $MAC_{ISO}$ ($MAC_{ISO}B$) was determined starting 45 minutes after induction of anesthesia by clamping a pedal digit until gross purposeful movement was detected. After $MAC_{ISO}B$ determination, dogs received a tramadol loading dose of 3 mg/kg followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 2.6 mg/kg/h. The determination of $MAC_{ISO}$ after administration of tramadol ($MAC_{ISO}T$) began 20 min after the start of the CRI. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded continuously and arterial blood samples for blood gas analysis were collected at the end of the equilibration period. Mean ${\pm}$ SD values for the $MAC_{ISO}B$ and $MAC_{ISO}T$ were $1.33{\pm}0.04%$ and $1.23{\pm}0.04%$, respectively. The $MAC_{ISO}B$ decreased significantly by $7.5{\pm}0.2%$ (P < 0.05) after administration of tramadol. The mean heart rate and arterial blood pressure of six dogs were not changed significantly after tramadol administration. The blood gas levels remained constant during the study. In conclusion, tramadol could significantly reduce $MAC_{ISO}$ without depression of cardiorespiratory function. Thus, the use of tramadol on inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane in dogs can improve the stability of anesthesia and the quality of recovery.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2011

Purpose : Hospital associated infection (HAI) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms has been recognized as an important issue in the world, especially in critically ill patients such as the patients admitted in the intensive care unit. There are fewer papers about MDR-HAI in pediatric patients compared to adult patients. In this study, we investigated the incidence and associated factors of MDR-HAI in children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. Methods : We retrospectively evaluated 135 children who were admitted in ICU for at least 3 days between January 2009 and December 2010. HAI cases were divided into MDR-HAI group and non-MDR-HAI group. Clinical characteristics and various associated factors were compared between those groups. Results : In 39 patients, 45 cases of ICU-related HAI were developed. ICU-related HAI incidence was 47.7 per 1000 patientdays. Thirty-six cases (80.0%) were MDR-HAI. Acinetobacter baumannii was isolated more commonly in MDR-HAI group. And the followings were found more frequently in MDR-HAI group than non-MDR-HAI group: medical condition as an indication for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, urinary catheterization and previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Among the risk factors, previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics was the independent risk factor for MDR-HAI. Conclusion : ICU-related HAI incidence was higher than previously reported. Previous use of broad-spectrum antibiotics was the independent risk factor for MDR-HAI. To investigate the characteristics of MDR-HAI in children admitted in ICU, further studies with a larger sample size over a longer period of time are warranted.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.737-744
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• 2005

Purpose : Infants and children with cardiovascular diseases often present with respiratory symptoms. However, missed or delayed evaluation for potential airway problem may complicate overall prognosis. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of these patients and explore the cause of airway problem. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 64 patients(M : F=33:31, mean age : $6.3{\pm}7.5$ months) whose airway problems were proven by computed tomography or bronchoscopy in perioperative periods at the Asan Medical Center from January 1997 to June 2004. Patients were divided into two groups based on the duration of ventilator care : ${\leq}7$ days(group 1 : 23 cases, M : F=10 : 13) and >7 days(group 2 : 41 cases, M : F=23 : 18). Results : The patients in group 2 significantly developed more post-operative respiratory symptoms than group 1(P<0.001) and had more airway problems including extrinsic obstruction, intrinsic anomaly, and combined problem than group 1 although not significantly different(P=0.082). Among underlying diseases, the most common diseases were vascular anomaly(26.2 percent) and aortic arch anomaly(26.2 percent) in group 1 and pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect(22.4 percent) in group 2. The most frequent respiratory symptoms were recurrent wheezing pre-operatively and failure of ventilator weaning post-operatively. The major types of airway anomaly were tracheomalacia and tracheal stenosis(in each case 18.2 percent). Nineteen patients with persistent airway problems underwent aortopexy or other vascular correction. Of the 19 patients, 13(68.4 percent) were improved, but 2 failed in weaning ventilator and 4 died of non-airway problems. Conclusion : Early evaluation and treatment for potential airway problems may affect natural or surgical prognosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases presenting with respiratory symptoms.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.448-463
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• 2000

Background : Pulmonary infiltrate is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with leukemia. It is often hard to obtain a reliable diagnosis by clinical and radiologic findings alone. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic benefits of invasive procedures for new lung infiltrates in leukemia. Methods : Patients with leukemia who developed new lung infiltrates from December 1994 to March 1999 were included in this study. These patients were classified into the empirical group who received empirical therapy only and into the invasive group who underwent bronchoscopy or surgical lung biopsy for the diagnostic purpose of new lung infiltrates. A retrospective chart review was done to find the etiologies of new lung infiltrates, the yield of invasive procedures, outcome as well as predicting factors for survival. Results : 1) One hundred-two episodes of new lung infiltrates developed in 90 patients with leukemia. Invasive procedures were performed in 44 episodes while 58 episodes were treated with empirical therapy only. 2) Invasive procedures yielded a specific diagnosis in 72.7%(32/44), of which 78.1% had infectious etiology. Therapeutic plan was changed in 52.3%(23/44) of patients after invasive procedures. None of them showed procedure-related mortality. 3) The overall survival rate was 62.7%(64/102). Survival rate in the invasive group (79.5%) was significantly better than that in the empirical group (50.0%) (p=0.002). 4) Upon multivariate analysis, the performance of invasive procedures, no need for mechanical ventilation and achievement of complete remission of leukemia after induction chemotherapy were the independent predicting factors for survival in patients with leukemia and new lung infiltrates. Conclusion : Bronchoscopy and surgical lung biopsy are useful in the diagnosis of new lung infiltrates in patients with leukemia. However, survival benefits of invasive procedures should be considered together with disease status of leukemia and severity of respiratory compromise.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.389-396
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• 2005

Background : Central venous catheters(CVCs) area major source of nosocomial infection. Chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine coated catheters (CHSS) were developed to reduce the rate of CVC infection. However, the clinical effectiveness of CHSS in comparison wth non-coated catheter (NCC) remains to be evaluated. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2004 in medical intensive care unit (ICU) of Asan Medical Center, CVCs were inserted in 446 cases. We retrospectively analyzed characteristics of patients and catheterization,the catheter-related infection rate and colonization, microbiologic findings, and insertion sites (subclavian, jugular, femoral) according to the type of inserted CVCs (NCC: 187 cases, CHSS: 259 cases). Catheter related infection is defined as catheter related bacteremia and catheter related non-bacteremic sepsis. Results : 1) The mean age of the patients in each group was $62{\pm}16$ years, $63{\pm}15$ years (p=0.42), and sex ratio 94:50, 141:69 (p=0.9) in NCC and CHSS. Duration of ICU admission ($29{\pm}37$, $26{\pm}44$ p=0.42), duration of mechanical ventilation ($17{\pm}22$, $15{\pm}19$ p=0.17), and APACHE III score at the time of CVC insertion ($81{\pm}34$, $82{\pm}37$ p=0.61) were not different between both groups. 2) Mean duration of catheterization was 118 in NCC and 119 in CHSS (p=0.98). Number of catheter-days was 2176 days in NCC and 3035 days in CHSS. Catheter-related infection occurred in 9 (4.8%) cases receiving NCC and 4 cases (1.5%) receiving CHSS. Catheterrelated infection incidence per 1000 catheter-days was 4.1 and 1.3, respectively (p=0.04). CHSS was associated with a significant reduction of infection in jugular catheters regarding to insertion sites (p=0.01). 3) Microorganisms causing infection were Staphylococcus aureus (n=3), Candida (n=3), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n=2), and Klebsiella (n=1) in NCC, and Candida species (n=2), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (n=2), Proteus (n=1) in CHSS. Conclusion : CHSS has significantly reduced the episodes of infection compared to NCC in jugular catheterization in medical ICU.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.596-602
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of peripheral neutrophil count with the development of respiratory failure in preterm infants. Methods : A retrospective study was conducted from January 1993 to December 1999 on 44 preterm infants, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of St. Francisco hospital. Preterm infants(birth weight 500 to 1,350 gm) who had a complete blood count obtained within 2 hours after delivery. Patients in the lowest of neutrophil count(early neutropenia, < $1.0{\times}10^9/L$) were compared with patients in the remaining group. Results : Low neutrophil count were transient in early neutropenia group. The concentration the circulating neutrophil count rose from $0.85{\pm}0.11{\times}10^9/L$ at average of 2 hours after delivery to $5.3{\pm}2.7{\times}10^9/L$ at 24 hours after delivery in the early neutropenia group and from $3.6{\pm}1.6{\times}10^9/L$ to $5.8{\pm}3.2{\times}10^9/L$ in the non-neutropenia group during the same time period. Compare to the non-neutropenia group, the neutropenia group had a lower birth weight($1,046.50{\pm}180.76gm$ Vs $1,156.70{\pm}124.99gm$), a lower Apgar score(1 min : $3.41{\pm}1.18$ Vs $4.30{\pm}1.46$, 5 min : $5.41{\pm}0.87$ Vs $6.15{\pm}0.95$), and a higher incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia(27.27% Vs 7.0%). Patients who had early neutropenia were more likely to require mechanical ventilation, supplemental oxygen and hospital stay. Also, main effect factors for the two groups were birth weight(Odds ratio=5.457, 95% CI=1.551-27.525), initial peripheral blood white cells(odds ratio=8.308, 95% CI=2.054-52.699), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(odds ratio=0.099, 95% CI=0.017-0.397). Conclusion : A low count of neutrophil in the systemic circulation of premature infants within 2 hours of birth is associated with more severe respiratory distress.