• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2011

The pathologic hallmark of new bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is an arrest in alveolarization and vascular development. Alveoli are the fully mature gas-exchange units and alveolarization denotes the process through which the developing lung attains its fully mature structure. In human, alveolarization is mainly a postnatal event and begins in utero around 35 postmenstrual weeks and continues to 2 postnatal years. Beginning of respiration with very immature lungs as a result of preterm delivery renders the immature lung to be exposed to various injuries such as mechanical stretch, hyperoxia, infection/inflammation and leads to a disruption of normal alveolarization process, which is a main pathologic finding of BPD. Better understanding of the control mechanisms of normal alveolarization process should help us to figure out the pathophysiology of BPD and discover effective preventive or therapeutic measures for BPD. In this review, the pathologic evolution of BPD from 'old' to 'new' BPD, the detailed mechanisms of normal alveolarization, and the factors that disrupt normal alveolarization will be discussed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.4
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• pp.450-454
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• 2015

Although tuberculosis is highly prevalent worldwide, congenital tuberculosis is one of the least common manifestations of the disease. The diagnosis is usually difficult because of the non-specific clinical presentation and the lack of awareness of maternal disease prior to pregnancy and delivery. We present the case of a preterm neonate with congenital tuberculosis, born to a previously healthy mother who had developed severe disseminated tuberculosis during her pregnancy. Once the diagnosis was confirmed in the mother, the congenital infection was confirmed by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in gastric aspirates, and positive polymerase chain reaction in a cerebrospinal fluid examination. Treatment for tuberculosis with a four-drug regimen resulted in an adequate clinical response in both the mother and infant.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.10
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• pp.386-394
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• 2019

Background: Preterm infants have difficulty maintaining body temperature after birth. However, clinical guidelines advocate that neonatal body temperature should be maintained at 36.5℃-37.5℃. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the incidence of admission hypothermia in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and to determine the association of admission temperature with in-hospital mortality and morbidities. Methods: A cohort study using prospectively collected data involving 70 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that participate in the Korean Neonatal Network. From registered infants born between January 2013 and December 2015, 5,343 VLBW infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestation were reviewed. Results: The mean admission temperature was 36.1℃±0.6℃, with a range of 31.9℃ to 38.4℃. Approximately 74.1% of infants had an admission hypothermia of <36.5℃. Lower birth weight, intubation in the delivery room and Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes were significantly related to admission hypothermia. The mortality was the lowest at 36.5℃-37.5℃ and adjusted odd ratios for all deaths increased to 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.83), 1.44 (95% CI, 1.05-1.97) and 1.86 (95% CI, 1.22-2.82) for infants with admission temperatures of 36.0℃-36.4℃, 35.0℃-35.9℃, and <35.0℃, respectively. Admission hypothermia was also associated with high likelihoods of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, proven sepsis, pulmonary hemorrhage, air-leak, seizure, grade 3 or higher intraventricular hemorrhage and advanced retinopathy of prematurity requiring laser therapy. Conclusion: A large portion of preterm infants in Korea had hypothermia at NICU admission, which was associated with high mortality and several important morbidities. More aggressive interventions aimed at reducing hypothermia are required in this high-risk population.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.248-258
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• 2020

The vaginal microbiota may be important for pregnancy prognosis because vaginal dysbiosis during pregnancy appears to be related to preterm birth (PTB) or pregnancy loss. Previous reports have indicated that a Lactobacillus-poor microbial flora in the vagina and intrauterine infection by diverse anaerobes ascending from the vagina are associated with undesirable delivery outcomes. However, no research has involved the use of pyrosequencing analysis to examine vaginal microbiota profiles or their potential associations with high-risk pregnancy in Korean women. Vaginal swabs were collected from 500 Korean women for the identification of community state types (CSTs). Of these, 137 samples were further analyzed using a Roche/454 GS Junior pyrosequencer. Three distinct CSTs were identified based on the dominant vaginal microbes: CST I (Lactobacillus crispatus dominated), CST III (Lactobacillus iners dominated), and CST IV (with diverse species of anaerobes). Twelve of the 67 pregnant women had undesirable pregnancy outcomes (four miscarriages and eight PTBs). The dominant microbe in the vaginal microbiota of women who gave birth at full-term was L. crispatus. In contrast, L. iners was the dominant vaginal microbe in women who miscarried. Most (n = 6/8) vaginal microbiota profiles of women who experienced PTB could be classified as CST IV, with diverse bacteria, including anaerobic vaginal species. The present study provides valuable information regarding the characteristics of the vaginal microbiota of Korean women related to high-risk pregnancy. Investigation of the vaginal microbiotic structure in pregnant Korean women is necessary to enable better prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.47
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• pp.296.1-296.7
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• 2018

Background: Antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum preventive measures with antiretroviral drugs, appropriate delivery methods, and discouraging breastfeeding significantly decrease the risk of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Herein, we investigated the pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected Korean women. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of childbearing-age HIV-infected women between January 2005 and June 2017 at four tertiary care hospitals in Korea. Results: Among a total of 95 HIV infected women of child-bearing age with 587.61 years of follow-up duration, 15 HIV-infected women experienced 21 pregnancies and delivered 16 infants. The pregnancy rate was 3.57 per 100 patient-years. Among the 21 pregnancies, five ended with an induced abortion, and 16 with childbirth including two preterm deliveries at 24 and 35 weeks of gestation, respectively. The two preterm infants had low birth weight and one of them died 10 days after delivery due to respiratory failure. Among the 14 full-term infants, one infant was small for gestational age. There were no HIV-infected infants. Conclusion: The pregnancy rate of HIV-infected women in Korea is lower than that of the general population. Although several adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed, mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection was successfully prevented with effective preventive measures.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2021

Purpose: Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy may affect the fetus and newborn in many ways. This study investigated the impact of prenatal antibiotic exposure duration on neonatal outcomes in very preterm (VP) or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: From September 2015 to December 2020, preterm infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks or with a BW less than 1,500 g who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and their mothers were enrolled. Prenatal antibiotic exposure was defined as antibiotics received by mothers before delivery, and the patients were categorized into the non-antibiotic group, short-duration (SD; ≤7 days) group, or long-duration (LD; >7 days) groups. Results: A total of 93 of 145 infants were exposed to prenatal antibiotics, among which 35 (37.6%) were in the SD group and 58 (62.4%) were in the LD group. Infants in the LD group had a significantly higher birth weight-for-gestational-age (BW/GA) Z-score than those in the non-antibiotic group, even after the adjustment for confounding factors (beta, 0.258; standard error, 0.149; P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged prenatal antibiotic exposure was independently associated with death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.926; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.482-53.775) and composite outcomes of death, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and late-onset sepsis (LOS) (aOR, 2.375; 95% CI, 1.027-5.492). Conclusions: Prolonged prenatal antibiotic exposure could increase the BW/GA Z-score and the risk of death and composite outcomes of death, NEC, and LOS in VP or VLBW infants.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2010

Purpose: The purposes of this study were in understanding maternal and neonatal risk factors for postpartum depression using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS). Methods: Among 788 women, who had delivery include cesarean section in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at OO medical center from May 28th 2008 to October 6st 2009, 72 women filled out EPDS questionnaire sheets. Additional aspects included for the analysis are maternal factors including age, number of children, parity, delivery method, and hemoglobin; and neonatal factors such as weight, sex, gestational age, apgar score, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Comparison was performed between the women with EPDS score equal or less than 8 and the women with EPDS score equal to or higher than 9 using statistical methods of student t-test for linear variables and chi-square test for non-linear variables. SPSS version 13.0 for windows was used for analysis. Results: Thirty women(41.7%) were included in the postpartum depression risk group (EPDS score ${\geqq}9$). Statistically significant difference(P<0.05) was found in gestational ages of the risk group($36.57{\pm}29.6$ weeks) and the non-risk group ($38.10{\pm}1.97$ weeks). Identified statistically significant risk factors(P<0.05) include cesarean section (OR=3.304 [1.121-9.744]), low birth weight infant(OR =6.500 [1.606-26.314]), preterm delivery(OR=2.857[1.071-7.621]), low apgar score (1minute) after delivery (OR=14.909 [1.750-127.025]). There was no statistically significant difference in maternal age, number of children, parity, hemoglobin, neonatal sex, apgar score (5minutes), NICU admission. Conclusions: Through the results showed, gestational age, delivery method, neonatal weight, apgar score(1minute) were identified as risk factors for postpartum depression. To prevent or minimize postpartum depression, oriental medical intervention is recommended for pregnant women through early detection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1140-1146
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• 2009

Purpose:The pathophysiology of magnesium, the second highest common compound in humans, is still unclear, especially in preterm babies. We accessed the association between total magnesium (tMg), ionized Mg (iMg), and gestational age (GA) and that between serum magnesium (sMg) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm babies. Methods:In all, 119 inborn preterm infants admitted between July 2006 and February 2008 were divided into the IVH group (19) and the control group (100) and were prospectively analyzed. TMg, iMg, pH, total calcium (tCa), and ionized Ca (iCa) levels were determined immediately after delivery or within 3 hours after birth, and their correlation with GA were investigated. Results:TMg was not correlated with GA, tCa, iCa, and pH. IMg was correlated with tMg (r=0.288, P=0.002) and iCa (r=0.212, P=0.021); however, it was not correlated with GA and pH. Mean GA and birth weight were significantly lower (P=0.002) and smaller (P=0.030) in the IVH group. Mean sMg was higher in the IVH group ($2.5{\pm}0.9mg/dL$) than in the control group ($2.1{\pm}0.6mg/dL$) (P=0.021). SMg was a risk factor even after logistic regression analysis (OR, 2.798; 95% C.I., 1.265-6.192; P=0.011). Conclusion:In less than 37-week-old preterm babies, tMg and iMg were similar, regardless of GA. High sMg may be a risk factor for IVH in premature babies, regardless of their exposure to antenatal magnesium.

• 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.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.79-91
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to identify the meaningful nursing diagnosis in maternity unit and to suggest formally the basal data to the nursing service with scientific approach. The subject for this paper were 64 patients who admitted to Chung Ang University Hospital, Located in Seoul, from Mar. 10, to July 21, 1993. The results were as follows: 1. The number of nursing diagnosis from 64 patients were 892 and average number of nursing diagnosis per patient was 13.9. 2. Applying the division of nursing diagnosis to Roy's Adaptation Model, determined nursing diagnosis from the 64 patients were 621 (69.6%) in physiological adaptation mode and (Comfort, altered r/t), (Injury, potential for r/t), (Infection, potential for r/t), (Bowel elimination, altered patterns r/t), (Breathing pattern, ineffective r/t), (Nutrition, altered r/t less than body requirement) in order, and 139 (15.6%) in role function mode, (Self care deficit r/t), (Knowledge deficit r/t), (Mobility, impaired physical r/t) in order, 122 (13.7%) in interdependence adaptation mode, (Anxiety r/t), (Family Process, altered r/t) in order, 10(1.1%) in self concept adaptation mode, (Powerlessness r/t), (Grieving, dysfunctional r/t) in order. 3. Nursing diagnosis in maternity unit by the medical diagnosis, the average hospital dates were 3.8 days in normal delivery and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/t) 64.6%, (Self care deficit r/t) 13.6% in order, and the average hospital dates were 9.6 days in cesarean section delivery and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/t) 51.6%, (Self care deficit r/t) 15.2%, (Infection, potential for r/t) 9.9%, (Injury, potential "for r/t) 8.1%, (Anxiety r/t) 5.0%, (Mobility, impaired physical r/t) 3.3% in order, and the average hospital dates were 15.8days in preterm labor and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/ t), (Anxiety r/t), (Injury, potential for r/t) in order, and the average short-term hospital dates were 2.5days, long-term hospital dates were 11.5days in gynecologic diseases and majority of used nursing diagnosis, (Comfort, altered r/t). (Self care deficit r/t), (Injury, potential for r/t), (Infection, potential for r/t) in order.