• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.229-237
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• 2024

The infiltration of the interspace between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the posterior knee (IPACK) block, is a novel ultrasound-guided technique used for postoperative pain management of the knee. The success of the block is attributed to the spread of injectate between the capsule of the knee and the popliteal artery. This novel technique is believed to target the articular branches of the tibial, common fibular (peroneal) and obturator nerves. However, the extent of the spread in a paediatric population is unknown. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the spread of the IPACK block. Using ultrasound guidance, the IPACK block was replicated bilaterally in neonatal cadavers. Methylene blue dye (0.3 ml/kg) was injected proximally and distally. Subsequently, cadavers were dissected to determine the injectate spread. Proximal injections resulted in staining of some of the articular branches, while the distal injections resulted in staining of all four articular branches. Additional staining of the superior lateral and medial genicular nerves was noted irrespective of the technique. Overall, both injections resulted in posterior, anterolateral spread with limited medial spread. Results from this study reveal preservation of the main nerve trunks following the proximal technique, while the distal technique displayed greater staining of the articular branches. We believe that the block can be seen as a more holistic and viable alternative to lower limb blocks for the paediatric population, as it allows for a wider spread in the posterior and medial-lateral compartments of the knee.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2014

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to identify the perceived nursing needs and the differences by general characteristics of parents of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to provide useful evidences developing a new intervention for family-centered care in NICU. Methods: A convenience sample of 121 parents of infants in NICU was used and the participants asked to complete the Korean version of NICU Family Needs Inventory (NFNI) from April to May, 2014. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. Results: The participants reported high average score in the perceived nursing needs. In subscales, needs for assurance rated highest score and needs for information, proximity, support, and comfort were followed. Mothers reported higher nursing needs score than fathers except the subscale of support. Conclusion: The findings suggest that nurses in NICU actively provide information about treatment, nursing, results of laboratory tests, and current status to give reassurance to parents. Not only providing informational support of parents of NICU infants, but also finding methods to contact to parents is necessary. In addition, nurses need to provide optimized intervention in current healthcare system and hospital environment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.8
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• pp.329-334
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• 2020

Background: Birth asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal mortality. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels may have a predictive role in the identification and prevention of hypoxic disorders, as they increase in cases of ischemia of the liver, heart, brain, bowel, and kidney. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the value of IMA levels as a diagnostic marker for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Methods: Sixty newborns who fulfilled 3 or more of the clinical and biochemical criteria and developed HIE as defined by Levene staging were included in our study as the asphyxia group. Neonates with congenital malformation, systemic infection, intrauterine growth retardation, low-birth weight, cardiac or hemolytic disease, family history of neurological diseases, congenital or perinatal infections, preeclampsia, diabetes, and renal diseases were excluded from the study. Sixty healthy neonates matched for gestational age and with no maternal history of illness, established respiration at birth, and an Apgar score ≥7 at 1 and 5 minutes were included as the control group. IMA was determined by double-antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of a cord blood sample collected within 30 minutes after birth. Results: Cord blood IMA levels were higher in asphyxiated newborns than in controls (250.83±36.07 pmol/mL vs. 120.24±38.9 pmol/mL). Comparison of IMA levels by HIE stage revealed a highly significant difference among them (207.3±26.65, 259.28±11.68, 294.99±4.41 pmol/mL for mild, moderate, and severe, respectively). At a cutoff of 197.6 pmol/mL, the sensitivity was 84.5%, specificity was 86%, positive predictive value was 82.8%, negative predictive value was 88.3%, and area under the curve was 0.963 (P<0.001). Conclusion: IMA levels can be a reliable marker for the early diagnosis of neonatal HIE and can be a predictor of injury severity.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.308-320
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the predictive factors for maternal role development for mothers of premature infants. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. A total sample of 121 mothers of premature infants following discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit were recruited using two strategies; an internet-based survey and an in-person data collection in a tertiary university hospital in Korea. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data regarding personal, birth variables, marital intimacy, maternal attachment, maternal identity and maternal role development. Results: A hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that parity, maternal attachment, marital intimacy and maternal identity were predictors for maternal role development for mothers of premature infants, accounting for 70% of the variance. Among these variables, maternal attachment is the most powerful predictor for maternal role development. Conclusion: Nursing interventions during hospitalization to post-discharge education that includes parents of premature babies with positive interaction between couples strengthening marital intimacy and promotes maternal attachment that leads to integrate maternal identity should be considered by priority. Community-based family services such as home visits should be focused on maximizing the predictive factors for maternal role development in transition to motherhood that can contribute to maternal health as well as optimal growth and development of premature infants.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.301-309
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• 2011

Purpose: Point-of-care tests (POCTs) have the potential to significantly influence management of neonates. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of the POCT chemistry analyzer in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Blood samples of neonates admitted to the NICU were tested using a POCT chemistry analyzer (Piccolo Xpress Chemistry Analyzer, Abaxis, Union City, CA, USA) and a central laboratory chemical analyzer (Chemistry analyzer 7600-110, Hitachi Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) from March to September, 2010. Correlation of 15 analytes between the POCT and the central laboratory machine was evaluated. For consistency of the POCT, three consecutive samplings were performed. Differences among the three tests were recorded. The causes of performance errors were checked through log files. Results: One hundred of 112 pairs of tests for accuracy performed in 54 neonates showed a high correlation between the two machines. Twelve performance errors occurred during the 112 tests. The most common error was insufficient sample error. Eighteen triplet tests performed in 18 patients for consistency revealed a difference range of 3-10%, which was considered to be acceptable. No error occurred during the 54 tests. Conclusion: The POCT is capable of analyzing multiple analytes with a minimal amount of whole blood in a short time. The few performance errors noted presently are likely preventable. This POCT is concluded to be suitable for use as a simple and rapid diagnostic method in the NICU with a minimal amount of blood collected in a less invasive manner.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2012

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of $Clostridium$ $difficile$ ($C.$ $difficile$) colonization (CDC) and potential neonatal determinants of CDC in hospitalized preterm infants. Methods: Fecal samples were serially collected within 72 h after birth and at 1, 2, and 4-6 weeks of age from preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of two different university hospitals. Total bacterial DNA was extracted from each fecal sample from 49 infants, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with primers for the 16S gene of $C.$ $difficile$ and the toxin A and toxin B genes. The correlation between the results of $C.$ $difficile$ PCR assays and the clinical characteristics of the infants was analyzed. Results: The prevalence rates of CDC were 34.7, 37.2, 41.3, and 53.1% within 72 h after birth and at 1, 2, and 4.6 weeks of age, respectively. The toxin positivity rate was significantly higher in the infants with persistent CDC than in those with transient CDC (8/12 [66.7%] vs. 6/25 [24.5%] ($p$=0.001). Among the various neonatal factors, only the feeding method during the first week after birth was significantly associated with persistent CDC. Exclusive breast-milk feeding (EBMF) significantly decreased the risk of persistent CDC compared to formula or mixed feeding (adjusted odds ratio: 0.133, 95% confidence interval: 0.02-0.898, $p$=0.038). Conclusion: The prevalence of CDC increased with the duration of hospitalization in preterm infants in the NICU. EBMF during the first week after birth in hospitalized preterm infants may protect against persistent CDC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.348-352
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• 2003

An investigation was made into the protein profile of colostrum/milk of ten Murrah buffaloes and of their ten buffalo calves during their first week of neonatal life to study the materno-neonatal transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig). Calves were pail fed 3.5 liter of colostrum and/or milk per calf/day exclusively from their dam. First blood sample from newborn calves was collected before colostrum feeding on the day of birth (day zero) and the sampling continued daily for seven days after colostrum/milk feeding. Colostrum/milk Ig and IgG values were $4.82{\pm}2.60$, $2.19{\pm}1.90$, $1.12{\pm}0.82$, $0.69{\pm}0.44$, $0.59{\pm}0.31$, $0.47{\pm}0.20$, $0.40{\pm}0.22$, $0.40{\pm}0.25$ and $3.58{\pm}1.90$, $1.08{\pm}0.92$, $0.52{\pm}0.40$, $0.31{\pm}0.20$, $0.27{\pm}0.14$, $0.22{\pm}0.08$, $0.18{\pm}0.09$, $0.14{\pm}0.08$ respectively during 0-7 days post partum. The concentration of total colostrum/milk proteins, Ig, IgG and albumin were highest within 12 h post-partum. Thereafter, the concentrations followed a declining trend which may be attributed to the reduced transfer of proteins from the maternal blood, declining synthesis by the mammary glands and/or depletion of stored proteins. The concentrations of plasma Ig and IgG before colostrum feeding on day zero were $0.42{\pm}0.09$ and $0.08{\pm}0.03$ respectively. The levels of plasma Ig were $1.90{\pm}0.37$, $1.80{\pm}0.31$, $1.80{\pm}0.26$, $1.81{\pm}0.28$, $1.78{\pm}0.31$, $1.79{\pm}0.21$, $1.80{\pm}0.32$ and of IgG were $1.57{\pm}0.41$, $1.30{\pm}0.29$, $1.31{\pm}0.21$, $1.27{\pm}0.18$, $1.23{\pm}0.21$, $1.23{\pm}0.16$, $1.26{\pm}0.21$ on days 1-7 after birth after colostrum/milk feeding. The concentrations of total plasma proteins, Ig, IgG were lowest before colostrum feeding and increased significantly (p<0.05) after colostrum feeding in buffalo neonates. The results suggest that the highest amounts of colostral Ig and IgG were available on the day of parturition and thus the calves should receive colostrum as early after birth as possible. Colostrum Ig and IgG concentrations were not correlated to plasma Ig and IgG concentrations in the post-suckle buffalo calves and therefore, colostrum Ig and IgG concentrations were probably not the principle determinants of calf post-suckle plasma Ig and IgG concentrations.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.365-368
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• 2011

Next to performing an expert physical examination, a blood sample submitted for a complete blood count is the most basic tool available to owners or veterinary practitioners. Reference values of complete blood count were determined at 6 different ages in 114 Thoroughbred foals during the second month of life. Hematologic results were as follows: RBC 8.2-10.5 ($10^6/{\mu}l$), Hb 10.9-13.3 (g/dl), HCT 28.2-35.2 (%), MCV 30.7-35.8 (fL), MCH 11.9-13.5 (pg), MCHC 37.9-40.5 (g/dl), RDW 24.5-25.7 (%), PLT 146.3-256.4 ($10^3/{\mu}l$), MPV 6.7-8.3(fL), total WBC 8.1-12.5 ($10^3/{\mu}l$), basophils 0.0 ($10^3/{\mu}l$), eosinophils 0.0-0.3 ($10^3/{\mu}l$), neutrophils 2.4-8.6 ($10^3/{\mu}l$), lymphocytes 1.8-2.9 ($10^3/{\mu}l$) and monocytes 0.0-1.4 ($10^3/{\mu}l$). The results of this study serve as reference ranges for Thoroughbred neonatal foals populations and can be useful for health control, regular examination and pre-sale soundness examination.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.34-43
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• 2020

Phenylketonuria is a disease caused by congenital defects in phenylalanine metabolism that leads to irreversible nerve cell damage. However, its detection in the early days of life can reduce its severity. Thus, many countries have started disease screening programs for neonates. The present study aimed to determine the worldwide prevalence of classic phenylketonuria using the data of neonatal screening studies.The PubMed, Web of Sciences, Sciences Direct, ProQuest, and Scopus databases were searched for related articles. Article quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Evaluation Checklist. A random effect was used to calculate the pooled prevalence, and a phenylketonuria prevalence per 100,000 neonates was reported. A total of 53 studies with 119,152,905 participants conducted in 1964-2017 were included in this systematic review. The highest prevalence (38.13) was reported in Turkey, while the lowest (0.3) in Thailand. A total of 46 studies were entered into the meta-analysis for pooled prevalence estimation. The overall worldwide prevalence of the disease is 6.002 per 100,000 neonates (95% confidence interval, 5.07-6.93). The meta-regression test showed high heterogeneity in the worldwide disease prevalence (I²=99%). Heterogeneity in the worldwide prevalence of phenylketonuria is high, possibly due to differences in factors affecting the disease, such as consanguineous marriages and genetic reserves in different countries, study performance, diagnostic tests, cutoff points, and sample size.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.431-434
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• 2012

This study was conducted to survey red blood cell (RBC) antigens Aa, Ca and Qa types, which are considered to be the most significantly associated with occurrence of neonatal isoerythrolysis, and the results are expected to provide valuable informations in organization of breeding plan, hence preventing the disease. Blood samples were collected from 262 Thoroughbred horses in Jeju island. Two percent cell suspension has been prepared from each sample and they were tested by indirect antiglobulin test. Of the 226 mare's samples, 9(3.98%) were Aa negative, 8(3.54%) were Ca negative, 17(7.52%) were Qa negative. Of the 36 Stallion's samples, 1(2.78%) was Aa negative, 3(8.33%) were Ca negative, 3(8.33%) were Qa negative. On the basis of these data, a database for breeding compatability could be set, and it would play an important role as a reference for arranging the mating partners.