• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.379-382
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• 2016

With advancements in complex repairs in neonates with complicated congenital heart diseases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been increasingly used as cardiac support. ECMO has also been increasingly used for low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. However, since prematurity and LBW are risk factors for ECMO, the appropriate indications for neonates with LBW, especially VLBW, are under dispute. We report a case of ECMO performed in a 1,360-g premature infant with VLBW due to cardiopulmonary bypass weaning failure after repairing infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous return.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.781-789
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• 2007

Purpose: The study was conducted to investigate the skin hydration level in various body sites and identify the influencing factors in neonates. Methods: An exploratory comparison study was designed to measure the stratum corneum hydration, using a National DM-R2 on the forehead, abdomen, buttocks, and the back of the hands and feet of 198 neonates including 92 premature infants. Results: The results showed 32.7%-36.5% of stratum corneum hydration for all sites. Premature infants revealed a higher hydration level on the peripheral sites (dorsal hand and feet) than those of the full-term infants, possibly resulting from therapeutic regimens including an incubator or radiant warmer. Infants in an incubator showed a higher hydration level than those in radiant warmers, suggesting more attention to fluid management for infants in the open environment. In addition, all stratum corneum hydration measurements except one, from the forehead, showed a positive correlation with postnatal age in full-term infants while showing no relation to any measurements in premature infants. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the very low skin hydration levels in hospitalized neonates, particularly in premature neonates with more susceptible skin hydration instability despite therapeutic interventions for fluid balance. More vigilant fluid management is imperative in neonates, particularly those in the open environment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.230-235
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• 2007

In the early neonatal period, the neonate is challenged by the loss of the placental calcium transport and manifests a quick transition, from an environment in which PTHrP plays an important role to a PTH- and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-controlled neonatal milieu. Disturbances in mineral homeostasis are common in the neonatal period, especially in premature infants and infants who are hospitalized in an intensive care unit. In many cases these disturbances are thought to be exaggerated responses to the normal physiological transition from the intrauterine environment to neonatal independence. Some disturbances in calcium and phosphate homeostasis are the result of genetic defects, which in many instances can now be identified at the molecular level. Although fetus develop remarkably normally in the presence of maternal calcium, PTH and vitamin D deficiency, the neonates demonstrate abnormalities that are consequences of the prior abnormal maternal calcium homeostasis. Evaluation and management of hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia in neonate requires specific knowledge of perinatal mineral physiology and the unique clinical and biochemical features of newborn mineral metabolism.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.11
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• pp.344-352
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• 2017

Arrhythmias in the neonatal period are not uncommon, and may occur in neonates with a normal heart or in those with structural heart disease. Neonatal arrhythmias are classified as either benign or nonbenign. Benign arrhythmias include sinus arrhythmia, premature atrial contraction, premature ventricular contraction, and junctional rhythm; these arrhythmias have no clinical significance and do not need therapy. Supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrioventricular conduction abnormalities, and genetic arrhythmia such as congenital long-QT syndrome are classified as nonbenign arrhythmias. Although most neonatal arrhythmias are asymptomatic and rarely life-threatening, the prognosis depends on the early recognition and proper management of the condition in some serious cases. Precise diagnosis with risk stratification of patients with nonbenign neonatal arrhythmia is needed to reduce morbidity and mortality. In this article, I review the current understanding of the common clinical presentation, etiology, natural history, and management of neonatal arrhythmias in the absence of an underlying congenital heart disease.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.196-199
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• 2008

The interstitial cells of Cajal are the pacemakers in the gastrointestinal tract that modulate gastrointestinal motility. A case of a neonate with intestinal pseudo-obstruction caused by a decreased number of the interstitial cells of Cajal is presented. A premature male infant born at 32 weeks of gestation showed progressive abdominal distention beginning 3 days after initiation of enteral feeding at 15 days of life. No etiologic factors were identified on radiologic studies, a gastrographin enema, and an intestinal biopsy other than a markedly decreased number of the intestinal cells of Cajal. An ileostomy, followed by repair of the ileostomy was done, which resulted in but a limited improvement of the abdominal gas pattern. Respiratory distress, pancytopenia, and abdominal distention persisted, and the infant expired on 142 days of life.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2013

Antral web is a rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction in neonate. It is a 2-4 mm thin mucous membrane that can be found anywhere from 1 to 7 cm proximal to the pylorus. The baby was born at gestational age of $32^{+1}$ weeks with 1,880 g as 2nd baby of dizygotic twin. After birth, the baby had constant non-bilious vomiting without feeding while he didn't show abdominal distension or discoloration. The infantogram showed distended stomach with distal small bowel gas. Upper gastrointestinal series revealed that the antrum was abruptly narrowed at 1 cm proximal to pylorus. We performed laparotomy at the 10th day after birth and excised the 2 mm-thick web circumferentially. He began milk feeding after 6 days and discharged uneventfully at postoperative 35 days with corrected age of $38^{+4}$ weeks with body weight 2,420 g. The antral web should be considered in the case of non-bilious vomiting in neonate.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1997

Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract in neonatal period has been associated with a grim prognosis. Recently there has been some improvement in survival. To evaluate the remaining pitfalls in management, 19 neonatal gastrointestinal perforation cases from May 1989 to July 1996 were analysed retrospectively. Seven patients were premature and low birth weight infants. Perforation was most common in the ileum(56.3%). Mechanical or functional obstruction distal to the perforation site was identified in 7 cases; Hirschsprung's disease 3, small bowel atresia 3, and anorectal malformation 1. These lesions were often not diagnosed until operation. Five cases of necrotizing enterocolitis and 1 of muscular defect were the other causes of perforation. In six cases, the cause of the perforation was not identified. Perinatal ischemic episodes were associated in five cases. Overall mortality was 15.1%. Because a considerable number of gastrointestinal perforations resulted from distal obstruction, pediatric surgeon should be alert for early identification and intervention of gastrointestinal obstruction, particularly in patients that are premature and have a history of ischemia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 1999

Background: This study is to suggest the optimal method as a treatment for the patent ductus arteriosus in the premature infants. Material and Method : Between April 1994 and April 1997, 45 premature infants with evidence of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus associated with cardiopulmonary compromise underwent indomethacin therapy, surgical treatment, or both. Thirty-nine infants received indomethacin and twelve infants among them were surgically ligated because of indomethacin failure(5) or complications(7). Six infants, who weighed less than 1,500 gm at birth, were referred for primary surgical ligation because of contraindication to indomethacin therapy. Result: The failure rate of indomethacin therapy was 43%(17/39) and the complications(13/39, 33%) to the indomethacin were associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Among the infants who underwent ligation, there were no failures and complications related to the operation. This data suggests that in the premature neonate with a hemodynamically significant PDA, (1) indomethacin therapy is associated with a high failure rate and significant complications, (2) surgical duct closure is associated with minimal morbidity. Conclusion: Although the results of this study cannot suggest the optimal management for PDA in premature infants, primary surgical ligation may be considered. However, long-term studies will be needed to confirm this later.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.425-433
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• 2014

Adrenal and thyroid hormones are essential for the regulation of intrauterine homeostasis, and for the timely differentiation and maturation of fetal organs. These hormones play complex roles during fetal life, and are believed to underlie the cellular communication that coordinates maternal-fetal interactions. They serve to modulate the functional adaptation for extrauterine life during the perinatal period. The pathophysiology of systemic vasopressor-resistant hypotension is associated with low levels of circulating cortisol, a result of immaturity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in preterm infants under stress. Over the past few decades, studies in preterm infants have shown abnormal clinical findings that suggest adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, yet the criteria used to diagnose adrenal insufficiency in preterm infants continue to be arbitrary. In addition, although hypothyroidism is frequently observed in extremely low gestational age infants, the benefits of thyroid hormone replacement therapy remain controversial. Screening methods for congenital hypothyroidism or congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the preterm neonate are inconclusive. Thus, further understanding of fetal and perinatal adrenal and thyroid function will provide an insight into the management of adrenal and thyroid function in the preterm infant.

• Perinatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.175-179
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• 2018

Pneumatocele (PC) is a thin-walled cyst of the lung that can occur at all ages and with various etiologies. However, there is no fully accepted consensus for the management of PC in a neonatal intensive care unit. Although the management of PC is generally expectant, it is difficult to decide how long conservative management should be maintained, especially under Korea's medical care environment and the parents' worry and anxiety. We report a male neonate, born at $27^{+5}weeks$ gestation, weighing 1,000 g, who had a post infectious PC caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. We treated conservatively for about 100 days (roughly 14 weeks), but unfortunately after a few days of chest retraction, acute exacerbation occurred, video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was deemed necessary and performed. The purpose of this publication is to describe the clinical course, aggravation and relief after VATS management with a review of the literature.