• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2006

Since the economic crisis in 1997, the number of low income families has increased and the turmoil is likely to affect nutritional and health status of the children in low-income families. The purpose of this study was to investigate dietary behaviors and physical development of low income family children in the Seoul area. The subjects were 44 boys and 56 girls, between the ages of 7 and 12 years, from the beneficiary families of the governmental assistant program and enrolled in after school-care centers. A self-reported questionnaire, including general characteristics and dietary behaviors, was applied to the children and their parents. Skipping meal rate was higher in breakfast than in lunch or dinner, and was less frequent in parents and children families compared to that of the other types of families (p<0.05). Most students are shown that they usually keep the dietary guideline for Korean children. There were significant differences in keeping the dietary guidelines between the parents and children family group and other groups in several items. The results imply that the nutrition education program should be more focused on the families which are not composed of parents and children.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2014

Background: We analyzed the changes in QT dispersion (QTd) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD), and determined the presence of repolarization abnormality in these children even in the absence of coronary artery abnormalities. Methods: Ninety-one children with KD and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this retrospective study. Serial echocardiographic and electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements in the beginning of treatment, 2nd month and 6th month after the diagnosis were compared. Fifty-one of 91 children had at least 2 serial ECG data. The number of patients who had 3 consecutive ECG data was 23. Results: Among the 67 KD patients with no coronary artery changes, the consecutive mean QTd values were 41.86 ms, 37.84 ms, and 25.47 ms, respectively (26 ms for controls). In the analysis of changes among KD patients without coronary artery abnormalities, QTd showed a significant decrease with time (p=0.01). Especially, the 1st month and the 6th month QTd values were significantly different (p=0.028). The mean QTd values in KD patients with coronary artery changes were significantly higher than those in KD patients with no coronary artery changes at each time (1st, 2nd, and 6th month exam). Conclusion: QTd is significantly increased in children during the early stage of KD. Repolarization abnormality may exist during the acute stage of KD, regardless of the echocardiographic changes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 2024

Background Shortage of speech and language therapists results in lack of speech services. The aims of this study were to find the effectiveness of a combination speech therapy model at Level IV: General speech and language pathologist (GSLP) and Level V: Specific speech and language pathologist (SSLP) in reduction of the number of articulation errors and promotion the quality of life (QoL) for children with cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP ± L). Methods Fifteen children with CP ± L, aged 4 years 1 month to 10 years 9 months (median = 76 months; minimum:maximum = 49:129 months) were enrolled in this study. Pre- and post-assessment included oral peripheral examination; articulation tests via Articulation Screening Test, Thai Universal Parameters of Speech Outcomes for People with Cleft Palate, Hearing Evaluation, The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief_Thai (WHOQOL-BRIEF-THAI) version questionnaire for QoL were performed. Speech therapy included a 3-day intensive speech camp by SSLP, five 30-minute speech therapy sessions by a GSLP, and five 1-day follow-up speech camps by SSLP that provided four 45-minute speech therapy sessions for each child. Results Post-articulation revealed statistically significant reduction of the numbers of articulation errors at word, sentence, and screening levels (median difference [MD] = 3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2-5; MD = 6, 95% CI = 4.5-8; MD = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.5-3, respectively) and improvement of QoL. Conclusion A speech task force consisting of a combination of Level IV: GSLP and Level V: SSLP could significantly reduce the number of articulation errors and promote QoL.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.405-416
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• 2007

This study was to examine the needs among elementary school dietitians (n = 115) for developing a nutrition information internet site for children. A survey questionnaire included general characteristics, internet use regarding health and nutrition information, and needs for developing a nutrition information site. The mean age of the subjects was 36.2 years. The higher working experience group (> 10 years of working as dieticians) had higher mean age (p < 0.001), had a larger number of enrolled students at school (p < 0.01) and the number of those receiving school lunch (p < 0.01) than the counterparts (${\le}10$ years group). Sources of health and nutrition information were mainly PC/internet (60.4%) and seminar (14.4%). About 95% used health or nutrition information using the internet, however, the majority of users (71.6%) used internet information only when they needed it. Major reasons for using internet information was 'to get nutrition education materials' (63.8%) and 'to obtain general nutrition information' (21%). One third of the subjects were satisfied with nutrition information internet sites; major problems with internet sites were 'lack of content' (38.9%) and 'lack of practical information' (33%). These characteristics regarding internet use were not different between work experience groups. Major problems with nutrition education were 'lack of nutrition educational materials' (41.1 %) and 'lack of nutrition education skills' (32.1%). These were significantly different between the work experience groups (p < 0.01). Subjects preferred CD/internet to leaflet/booklet as nutrition educational materials. In developing nutrition sites for children, subjects wanted topics such as obesity assessment, dietary assessment, and obesity. Subjects responded that contents of nutrition information should be 'suitable to the children's knowledge levels' (31.1%), 'interesting enough by including quizzes, games and songs' (27.8%), 'inserting many illustrations/icons' (16.3%). In terms of designing internet sites for children, they wanted that internet sites should 'be easy enough to find the sites' (29.2%), 'use illustrations and characters' (24.8%), 'use communication channels such as Q&A' (18.7%). Needs for developing internet sites for children were not different by the work experience group. This study suggests that web sites for children should be carefully developed considering the contents and design, have less information with more illustrations, designed to induce the interest of children, as well as including sections such as eating habit assessment and games.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.47-58
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate working mothers'parenting stress. The study was approached from an ecological perspective. Data were collected from 185 mothers who were professionals, office or labor workers, and have their children enrolled at the day care center located at their workplace. All the subjects lived in Seoul. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The working mothers'parenting stress was found to be at a moderate level(Mean=2.30). 2. The hierarchical and stepwise regression analyses revealed that significant variables in explaining the parenting stress of working mothers were the degrees of attachment with the subject's mother($\beta$=-.24), age($\beta$=-.23), the degrees of flexibility in working conditions($\beta$=-.19), educational level($\beta$=.18), the degrees of husbands'participation in child care($\beta$=-.17), and the number of children ($\beta$=.16). These variables explained 17.2% of working mother's parenting stress. 3. It was found that the effect of microsystem variables on working mothers' parenting stress were greater than the combined effects of mesosystem, exosystem and macrosystem variables.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.179-191
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• 2004

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate enuretic children attending oriental hospital and classify subtypes and evaluate possible factors that enhance or hamper of continence. Methods: Children attending kyeongju dongguk oriental hospital pediatrics between January 2000 and December 2003 with chief complaint of nocturnal enuresis were enrolled. The data of present symptoms and improvement progress was collected via telephone interviews with their parents. Results: The total number of children was 61. 32 of them were male and 29 female. Sex ratio was 1.1:1. Patient under 6 years of age was 68.8%. Using acupuncture, acupressure or chimsband with herb medicine, treatment frequency was increased. Patients with nocturnal enuresis(NE) was 48, and primary nocturnal enuresis(PNE) 39, secondary (SNE) 9. 13 was impossible to diagnose. The ratio of male to female was 1:1.09. PNE was 4 times as many as SNE. Male was predominent in PNE, and female in SNE. In the progress of PNE, male and female were similiar. but SNE, male was all cured, female remained 50%. And elapsed time of male to improve was longer than that of female. In the progress of improvement, many parents mentioned that their child was improved spontaneously regardless of subtype. Conclusion: We consider age, sex distinction, subtype, bladder symptoms, frequency, time of progress as influencing factor of prognosis, but failed to verify significance. To develop guideline of NE and find influencing factor of prognosis, more prospective study through taking history carefully and using questionnaire is needed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2007

Background: Chronic rhino-sinusitis and persistent allergic rhinitis is often cited as risk factor for developing adenoid hypertrophy or adenoiditis, but this relationship has not been studied extensively. In this study, we evaluated the mucosal barrier, squamous changes of ciliated epithelium, IgA secretion and BCL-6 expression in adenoids, and adenoid size. Methods: Six children with allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, nine children with only allergic rhinitis, nine children with only sinusitis and six children without any history of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were enrolled. H-E stain of adenoid for squamous metaplasia, immunohistochemical study of adenoid for IgA and BCL-6, cytokeratin stain for evaluation of mucosal barrier and lateral view X-ray for adenoid size were performed. ANOVA test was used in the analysis and data showing p value of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The number of ciliated cells had tendency to be decreased and squamous metaplasia had tendency to be increased in three experimental groups (p>0.05). Deterioration of mucosal barrier had tendency to be detected in three experimental groups than control group (p>0.05). BCL-6 had tendency to be increased and IgA secretion had tendency to be decreased in three experimental groups (p>0.05). There is no difference in adenoid size between three experimental groups and control group. Conclusion: Despite the expectation that adenoid would be affectecd by allergic rhinitis and rhino-sinusitis, we found no evidence for influence of adenoid immunity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2004

Although most children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome respond to corticosteroid therapy, many responders show steroid dependency and frequent relapse. In these children, one of the major problems is the serious side effects resulting from continuous steroid therapy. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of six-month cyclosporine treatment with the low-dose deflazacort therapy in children with nephrotic syndrome. Thirty children with steroid dependence (SD), frequent relapse (FR) and steroid resistance (SR) were enrolled in this study. They were treated with 6-month oral cyclosporine $(Cypol-N^{(R)})$ plus the low-dose deflazacort $(Calcort^{(R)})$ therapy at Samsung Medical Center from September 2002. The dosage of cyclosporine was started at 5 mg/kg/day and was monthly adjusted to maintain clinical remission and/or a trough blood level, while deflazacort dosage was reduced gradually. Clinical evaluation and monitoring of cyclosporine toxicity were performed every $2\sim4$ weeks. Outcomes were compared to the latest sir-month period of steroid only therapy before cyclosporine treatment. Student's t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Out of 28 children with SD and FR, 23 $(82.1\%)$ sustained remission, and 5 $(17.9\%)$ experienced 1 or 2 relapses during therapy. Out of 2 children with SR, 1 child sustained remission, and 1 child showed no response. The mean duration of remission and occurrence of relapse were significantly improved (p <.0001). In addition, the mean dosage of steroid was significantly reduced (p=.003). Although a number of adverse effects occurred in this study, they were not so serious as to necessitate discontinuation of the therapy. No nephrotoxicity was observed. Twenty out of the 28 children who had been in remission relapsed after withdrawal of cyclosporine. Fifteen of these children showed relapse within a month. These results demonstrated that the combination of cyclosporine with the low-dose deflazacort was efficient and safe in children with SD and FR during the six-month treatment. However, further studies are necessary in order to resolve the problem of high relapse rate after discontinuation of cyclosporine.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.140-152
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• 2018

Purpose: Recently, there has been a worldwide increase in the prevalence of food allergies in children and it may cause nutritional imbalance and poor quality of life for growing children due to dietary restrictions. This study was conducted to quantitatively measure the life burden and related factors of mothers who are the primary caretakers of food-allergic children. Moreover, we generated data for use as a scientific basis for the development of a disease management program to reduce the burden on life from raising food-allergic children. Methods: Mothers of 2,005 children aged 2 years or older and enrolled in Seoul Metropolitan Atopy Free Schools in 2016 who have had diagnosis of food allergy in their lifetime were surveyed. The burden on life of parents with food-allergic children was measured using 17 questions from the Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Burden (FAQL-PB) questionnaire, and subjects were asked to respond with a scale of 1 ~ 7. Results: We analyzed the effects of sociodemographic factors of parents and children and the accompanying allergic disease factors on the lives of parents. The number of restricted food items due to food allergy of a child and accompanying diagnosis of atopic dermatitis had a positive (+) effect on the life burden of the parents. Conclusion: Accurate oral food challenge for food allergies should be administered to prevent excessive restriction of food intake. Moreover, efforts should be taken to prevent morbidity accompanying food allergy and relieve symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.118-128
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• 2016

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to examine the status of children and adolescents with regard to enrollment in private medical insurance (PMI) and to investigate its influence on their utilization of medical services. Methods: The present study assessed 2973 subjects younger than 19 years of age who participated in five consecutive Korea Health Panel surveys from 2009 to 2012. Results: At the initial assessment, less than 20% of the study population had not enrolled in any PMI program, but this proportion decreased over time. Additionally, the number of subjects with more than two policies increased, the proportions of holders of indemnity-type only ('I'-only) and of fixed amount+indemnity-type ('F+I') increased, whereas the proportion of holders with fixed amount-type only ('F'-only) decreased. Compared with subjects without private insurance, PMI policyholders were more likely to use outpatient and emergency services, and the number of policies was proportionately related to inpatient service utilization. Regarding outpatient care, subjects with 'F'-only PMI used these services more often than did uninsured subjects (odds ratio [OR], 1.69), whereas subjects with 'I'-only PMI or 'F+I' PMI utilized a broad range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services relative to uninsured subjects (ORs for 'I'-only: 1.39, 1.63, and 1.38, respectively; ORs for 'F+I': 1.67, 2.09, and 1.37, respectively). Conclusions: The findings suggest public policy approaches to standardizing PMI contracts, reform in calculation of premiums in PMI, re-examination regarding indemnity insurance products, and mutual control mechanisms to mediate between national health insurance services and private insurers are required.