• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.96-103
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• 2011

Purpose: Although infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at risk of developing secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, little has been reported about the incidence, clinical course and prognosis of PH secondary to BPD in premature infants. This study was done to investigate the incidence, risk factors, clinical course, and the ultimate prognosis of PH developed secondary to BPD in very low birth weight infants (<1,500 g). Methods: Medical records of very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) admitted to Samsung Medical Center NICU from January 2000 to July 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. BPD was defined by Jobe's classification. The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was established as velocity of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) ${\geq}$3 m/s and a flattening of the intraventricular septum by conducting Doppler echocardiography. Results: The incidence of pulmonary hypertension was 6% in VLBWI with BPD and it developed in moderate to severe BPD. The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was made on postnatal 133 days (range 40-224 days) and the risk factors related to developing pulmonary hypertension were severe BPD, small for gestational age and outborn infants. The mortality rate was 57% and especially higher in severe BPD (70%). The time to recovery spent 3 months (range 1-10 months) in survived patients. Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, pulmonary hypertension secondary to BPD in VLBWI related to severity of BPD and had a poor prognosis. We expect that regular long-term echocardiography may be helpful in treating reversible in VLBWI with moderate to severe BPD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.255-261
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• 2007

Purpose : The objective of this study is to observe high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of lung parenchyme in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants between the corrected age of 38-42 weeks who were treated with oxygen after birth, and to compare them to the clinical severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods : The lungs of fourty-four VLBW infants with gestational ages of less than 32 weeks and birth weights of less than 1,500 g who were treated with oxygen after birth were examined using HRCT taken when the corrected age was between 38-42 weeks. Common findings among the infants and the frequency of their occurrences were noted. Total CT scores obtained by the summation of air trapping and actelectasis scores and the ratio of bronchus-to-pulmonary artery diameter were used to quantitatively evaluate HRCT findings and correlate them with the clinical severity of BPD as defined by Jobe-Bancalari diagnostic criteria. Results : 1) The most common findings in HRCT images of the lungs were air trapping (56%), atelectasis (70.5%), linear opacity (77%), and distortion of the bronchopulmonary bundle (65.9%). These findings were more commonly observed in infants with BPD in a mixed pattern than those without (P<0.05). However, abnormal findings were also found in HRCT images of some infants without BPD. In infants with BPD, air trapping, atelectasis and total CT scores were higher than those without BPD. Also infants with BPD had a lower bronchus-to-pulmonary artery diameter than those without BPD (P<0.05). 2) The total CT scores (r=0.799, P<0.0001) and the ratio of bronchus-to-pulmonary artery diameter (r=0.576, P<0.0001) showed a linear correlation with the clinical severity of BPD. Conclusion : HRCT findings in VLBW infants between the corrected age of 38-42 weeks who had been treated with oxygen after birth are useful in revealing pathologic changes in the lung parenchyme and show a good correlation with the clinical severity of BPD.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.494-504
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses' behaviors while soothing newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Methods: An observational study was used to assess nurses' soothing behaviors. Data were collected from September, 2012 to March, 2013 using an audio-video recording system. Participants were eight babies and 12 nurses caring for those babies. After obtaining parental permission, the overall process of each episode from nurses' engagement in soothing to the end of soothing was recorded. Then a researcher interviewed each participating nurse. Data from 18 episodes were transcribed as verbal and nonverbal nursing behaviors and then categorized by two researchers. Results: There were 177 observed soothing behaviors which were classified with the five sensory-based categories (tactile, oral, visual, auditory, vestibular). Most frequently observed soothing behavior was 'Gently talking' followed by 'Removing irritant', and 'Providing non-nutritive sucking'. Nurses' perceived soothing behaviors were similar to the observed soothing behaviors except for 'Gently talking'. Conclusion: Nurses used diverse and mixed soothing behaviors as well as recognizing those behaviors as essential nursing skills. Nurses' soothing behaviors identified in this study can be used to comfort babies and to enhance their developmental potential in accordance with individual characterstics or cues.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2009

Purpose : Inflammation plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Strategies for preventing BPD include respiratory management, antioxidants, nutritional treatment, and others such as anti-inflammatory agents. We aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of montelukast (MK), a cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor antagonist, as an add-on therapy in BPD. Methods : In addition to currently available standard measures such as oxygen supplementation, bronchodilators, nutritional support, and/or diuretics, montelukast was administered to 15 preterm infants with BPD. MK was given orally (1 mg/kg/d) for a mean period of 12 weeks. We compared safety and efficacy parameters with historical controls. Results : All 15 patients survived, and no differences were found in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups. The ventilation index was significantly improved after 2 weeks in MK group compared with historical controls. There were no significant differences in other respiratory parameters (MAP, oxygen dependency, and ventilator dependency) between the groups, but the MK group showed trends of greater improvement. Conclusion : Administration of MK 1 mg/kg/d was well tolerated in preterm BPD patients as an add-on therapy. We demonstrated that after 2 weeks of MK administration of 1 mg/kg/d, MK had beneficial therapeutic effects on BPD patients as an add-on to the standard therapy. Further multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of MK as a useful supplement to standard therapy for BPD patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2007

Background: The pathogenesis of lung cancer includes the accumulation of multiple genetic abnormalities. The CREB-binding protein(CBP) is one of several transcriptional co-activators among various sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors. CBP is involved in a wide range of cellular activities, such as DNA repair, cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis that are suspected of contributing to tumorigenesis. The goal of this study was to evaluate CBP expression in a series of human lung tissues containing normal epithelium, premalignant lesions(hyperplasia and dysplasia) and squamous cell carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections by use of a monoclonal anti-CBP antibody. CBP expression was compared in samples from 120 patients with premalignant and malignant histological types including 20 metaplastic specimens, 40 dysplastic specimens, and 60 squamous cell carcinomas in the lung. Results: CBP expression was seen in 35% (7/20) of the metaplastic specimens. 65% (26/40) of the dysplastic specimens, and 70% (42/60) of the squamous cell carcinomas (p<0.05). According to celluar atypism, CBP expression was 50% (10/20) of the low-grade dysplastic specimens and 80% (16/20) of the high-grade dysplastic specimens(p <0.01). By cellular differentiation, CBP expression was seen in 95% (19/20) of the well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, 85% (17/20) of the moderately differentiated carcinomas and 30% (6/20) of the poorly differentiated lesions (p <0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that CBP may have an important role in malignant transformation of precancerous lung lesions and may be a marker for malignancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of chest high-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) in patients with chronic coughs or persistent wheezing with normal chest X-ray finding. Methods : We reviewed the charts, chest X-rays, and HRCT findings of patients with chronic coughs or persistent wheezing of less than 2 years of age. The records were sourced from the Department of Pediatrics, Inha University Hospital covering the period from July, 1999 to June, 2000. Chronic cough was defined as a cough which was prolonged for more than 3 weeks. Results : The sample consisted of 24 patients(male 15 and female 9, mean age $4.7{\pm}3.8$ months old). Among them, 16 patients showed normal findings(66.7%) and 8 patients showed abnormal (33.3%) in simple chest X-rays. Among 16 patients who had the normal chest X-rays, 13 patients showed abnormal chest HRCT findings(81.3%) such as air space consolidation of the dependent portion(62.5%), bronchiolitis obliterans(12.5%), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(6.3%). Conclusion : We suggest that the chest HRCT is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with chronic cough or persistent wheezing with normal chest X-ray, especially below 2 years of age.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.201-206
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• 2010

Purpose: Recently, after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) ligation in preterm infants, unexplained hemodynamic instabilities are reported. To determine the incidence, risk factors and clinical manifestations of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 18 VLBW infants who underwent PDA ligation from January 2002 to February 2008. Hemodynamic instability defined as unexplained cardiopulmonary dysfunction with increased dependency on mechanical ventilation and decreased blood pressure. Results: The mean gestational age and birth weight (BW) of all infants were $27^{+6}{\pm}1^{+6}$ weeks and 951${\pm}$245 g. Hemodynamic instability group (HI) included seven infants (39%) and hemodynamic stability group (HS) included 11 infants (61%). Compared to HS, HI had lower BW (1,033${\pm}$285 g vs. 821${\pm}$126 g, P=0.048) and weight on operation day (1,195${\pm}$404 g vs. 893${\pm}$151 g, P=0.042), longer hospital days (105${\pm}$29 vs. 141${\pm}$39, P=0.038), more severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), (no/mild/moderate/severe, 2/5/2/2 vs. 0/1/2/4, P=0.038) and higher preoperative $FiO_2$ (0.29${\pm}$0.06 vs. 0.38${\pm}$0.09, P=0.02). One case of mortality due to sepsis, which was not associated with ligation, was observed among HS. Conclusion: The incidence of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in VLBW infants was 39%. Low BW, low weight on operation day and preoperative high $FiO_2$ might be risk factors of hemodynamic instability after PDA ligation in VLBW infants. The hemodynamic instability could increase the severity of BPD and hospital days.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2008

Purpose : Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by arrested vascular and alveolar growth in the premature lung. Considering the consequences of arrested lung growth, the idea of administering bone marrow cells to enhance the inborn repair mechanism is promising as this may reduce the morbidity and mortality of BPD. We followed enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled bone marrow cells (BMC) injected intraperitoneally into non-EGFP mice in order to determine their fate after transplantation. Methods : An angiogenesis inhibitor, SU1498, was injected subcutaneously on day 3 in non-EGFP C57BL/6 newborn mice to create a model of arrested alveolar development. On the following day, $1{\times}10^6$ BMCs isolated from major histocompatibility complex (MHC)- matched syngenic EGFP mice were injected intraperitoneally to non-EGFP BPD mice. Morphometric analysis, immunostaining, and confocal microscopy were performed to determine the fate of EGFP-positive stem cells in the injured lung. Results : SU1498 injection reduced alveolar surface area and mean alveolar volume in newborn mice. BMC injection resulted in recovery of lung structure comparable to controls. EGFP-positive BMCs were identified in the lungs of the recipient mice after intraperitoneal injection. The injected EGFP cells were co-stained with endothelial and epithelial cells of the developing lung as determined by confocal microscopy. Conclusion : Our results illustrated that EGFP-positive BMCs engrafted and trans-differentiated into epithelial and endothelial cells after intraperitoneal injection in a mouse model of arrested alveolar development.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.207-216
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of neonatal developmental intervention program (NDT) in promoting motor development and growth and to determine the usefulness of Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) and Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) in premature infants. Methods: We performed NDT on selected premature infants (PI, n=42) and compared them with the full term control group (FC, n=20). NDT protocol and development assessment (HNNE, NBAS) were manipulated by the physical therapist in the neonatal intensive care unit. The data of this study were collected prospectively. Results: The PI with GA <34 weeks (VPI) subgroup showed a more use of mechanical ventilator and surfactant, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intraventricular hemorrhage, and patent ductus arteriosus treated surgically than the PI with GA $\geq$34 weeks but less than 37 weeks (LPI) subgroup. The average scores improved significantly in the PI group between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd assessment by repeated measure (P=0.000). Also, the PI group showed significantly higher total scores and average score at 40 weeks postmenstrual age, P=0.000, respectively than in the FC group. The LPI subgroup showed more weight gain and change in the head circumference between the 1st and 3rd assessment by repeated measure, respectively, P<0.05. The PI group showed no apnea, bradycardia and late sepsis associated with intervention and assessment. Conclusion: The NDT might be a safe and useful intervention to promote motor and growth outcomes in premature infants. Also, the HNNE and NBAS might be safe and useful tools for assessing neurodevelopment in premature infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.531-535
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• 2007

Purpose : Indomethacin treatment is successful in about 90% of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants, but in some, repeated administration or surgical closure is required. The object of the present study is to determine the factors affecting the efficacy of indomethacin treatment and to predict the treatment result. Method : The 29 preterm neonates, admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Kyunghee university medical center and Eulji university hospital between September 2002 and April 2006 were diagnosed of PDA and treated with indomethacin. The risk factors that might affect the efficacy of treatment were studied retrospectively. Results : The single-administered group was 19 patients out of 29 (65.5%) and among the repeated-administered group, 5 patients (17.2%) had repeated indomethacin administration and the other 5 patients (17.2%) underwent surgery due to reopening of the duct after repeated medical treatment. In repeated-administered group, the diameter of PDA was significantly larger ($3.66{\pm}0.8mm$ vs $2.55{\pm}0.8mm$, P<0.01), especially when larger than 3.5 mm (sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 89%). Also, the mean postnatal age of the first indomethacin administration was significantly delayed in repeated-administered group (19.7 days vs 12.5 days, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in gestational age (32 wk 5 days vs 30 wk 8 days) and in birth weight (1598.9 g vs 1750.5 g). There were no significant differences in associated morbidities. Conclusion : In patients with larger diameter of PDA (>3.5 mm) and older postnatal age (>7 days), the effect of indomethacin was decreased. Therefore in such cases, repeated dose of indomethacin or surgical ligation should be considered earlier.