• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.210-217
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• 1997

Purpose: To prevent residual physical disability and chronic infection, prompt diagnosis and adequate treatment are important in the skeletal infections in children. Although radioisotope scanning is knwon as the method of choice for early diagnosis of bone infection, we conducted a study on twenty nine children who had skeletal infections to reevaluate the most appropriate way in diagnosis and management. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on twenty nine children, who were admitted to the departments of Pediatrics and Orthopedic Surgery and who had acute osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, through review of medical records, radiologic & radioisotope study results. Their diagnoses were confirmed by bacteriologic cultures on the aspirated specimens from suspected bony lesions. Results: 1) Among twenty nine patients, there were 6 infants including 5 newborn infants, and 23 children were aged between 1 and 15 years. Male to female ratio was 1.4 to 1. 2) Point tenderness was noted in all cases, and the common physical signs were swelling, limitation of motion, fever and local heat in the order of frequency. 3) Fifty two percents of the patients were diagnosed within a week after onset of symptoms and all cases were within 15 days. 4) Leukocytosis was noted in only 58.6% of cases but erythrocyte sedimentation rate was increased in all cases except only one case. Staphylococcus aureus was revealed as the most common etiologic agent. 5) Radioisotope scans showed hot uptake in five of six cases(83.3%) who had no abnormal finding on plain skeletal radiolograms. Conclusions: Although radioisotope scan and MRI are helpful in early diagnosis before radiologic finding was detected on plain X-ray film, the antimicrobial therapy can be started after bacteriologic study of the aspirated specimens from the suspected skeletal lesions if skeletal infection is highly suspected clinically.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.154-162
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• 2011

Purpose : The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in young children and to provide information for an effective guideline for palivizumab administration in Korea. Methods : We reviewed medical charts of 167 patients under 3 years of age who were hospitalized in Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital for lower respiratory tract infection between January 2007 and February 2011. Diagnosis of the virus was made based on the multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction. Results : There were 113 patients who were infected by respiratory syncytial virus. 90 patients were term infants and 23 patients were preterm infants. No difference was shown between term and preterm infants except the days of admission which was 9.0${\pm}$6.0 days and 12.6${\pm}$21.0 days respectively. In the preterm group their mean age at the time of admission was 5.21${\pm}$4.9 months and the mean gestational age was 33.1${\pm}$4.3 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2,152${\pm}$950 g. Only 4 patients were born under 28 weeks gestational age and were candidates for palivizumab administration. Conclusion : Most of the patients with severe RSV lower respiratory tract infection were term or near term infants who were not candidates for palivizumab prophylaxis. A nationwide study is needed to make a new risk stratified guideline for RSV prophylaxis for our country.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.154-163
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• 2015

Purpose: Osteoarticular infections in children and adolescents are important because it can cause functional compromise if appropriate treatment is delayed. Therefore, this study was designed to describe the clinical presentations and causative organisms of osteoarticular infections in children and adolescents in order to propose early diagnosis method and an appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy. Methods: Forty-two medical records were reviewed retrospectively, which were confirmed as osteomyelitis (OM) or septic arthritis (SA) at Department of Pediatrics or Orthopedic Surgery in patients under 18 years old of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from March 2008 to March 2015. Results: We identified 21 cases of OM, 13 cases of SA and 8 cases of OM with SA. There were 31 males and 11 females and mean age was 7.1 years old. The most common symptoms were pain and tenderness of involved site. Major involved bones were femur (10 cases, 34.5%), tibia (7 cases, 24.1%) and major involved joints were hip (9 cases, 42.9%), and knee (5 cases, 23.8%). Increased serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed in 37 cases (88.1%) respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 40 cases among 42 cases and was used to demonstrate osteoarticular infections and other adjacent infections. Nine cases (23.7%) among 38 cases and 20 cases (50.0%) among 40 cases were positive in blood culture and infected site culture respectively. The most common causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus, which was represented in 22 cases (75.9%), of which nine cases (40.9%) were resistant to methicillin. Conclusions: S. aureus was the most common causative organism of osteoarticular infections in children and adolescents and the proportion of MRSA was high in this study. Therefore, we recommend vancomycin as the first empiric antimicrobial therapy and suggest that further study is necessary to elucidate an appropriate guideline for treatment which takes into account MRSA proportion.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2003

Purpose : Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy(IMN) is a rare renal disease in children. To help better understanding of its clinical course and treatment strategies, we reviewed the clinical manifestations and pathological findings of children with IMN. Methods : Among 58 cases with MN, from 1977 to 2003, 42(72.4%) were hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated and 16(27.6%), 6 males and 10 females, were idiopathic. All cases diagnosed aster 2000 were IMN. Several clinicopathological findings(sex, onset age, proteinuria, serum albumin, cholesterol, creatinine clearance, tubulointerstitial changes, glomerular sclerosis, hypertension, renal vein thrombosis, the use of ACE inhibitor, and immunosuppressive therapy) were compared between the remission and the non-remission group of the patients with IMN. Results : The median onset age was 13.4 years. Clinical manifestations were nephrotic syn-drome(7 cases, 43.8%), gross hematuria(5 cases, 31.3%) and microscopic hematuria with proteinuria(3 cases, 18.8%). Hypertension, hypocalcemic tetany and renal vein thrombosis were accompanied in 2, 1 and 2 cases, respectively. In addition to the typical findings of MN, the kidney biopsies showed segmental sclerosis(5 cases, 31.3%) or global sclerosis(6 cases, 37.5 %), diffuse crescents(1 case), and mild(11 cases, 68.7%) or moderate tubulointerstitial changes(3 cases, 18.8%). Thirteen cases(86.7%) received oral steroid. Among them 2 cases received cyclophophamide and 1 received cyclosporin as well. Ten cases(62.5%) received ACE inhibitors. In the patients followed up, 7 cases(46.7%) became free from proteinuria (remission group) while 8(53.3%) presented continous proteinuria (non-remission group), two (13.3%) of which progressed to renal failure. Clinicopathological findings showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion : With HBV vaccination, HBV associated MN decreased markedly and IMN has taken up most of MN in children. For better understanding of this rare disease, a prospective multicenter study of the clinical course and treatment strategies should be done.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2019

Purpose: Isolated methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of propionate metabolism. There are two subtypes of MMUT gene defects. $Mut^0$ represents complete loss of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) activity while mut- is associated with residual MCM activity, which can be stimulated by hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) supplementation. The objective of this study is to investigate cobalamin responsiveness and mutations present in Korean MMA population. Methods: We evaluated 10 MMA patients using somatic cell complementation analysis on their fibroblasts to measure MCM activity and vitamin B12 responsiveness for the optimal treatment. MMUT gene was sequenced to identify the MMA mutations. Results: For all patients, the incorporation of $[^{14}C]-propionate$ was low, and there was no response to OHCbl. The incorporation of $[^{14}C]-methyltetrahydrofolate$ and $[^{57}Co]-CNCbl$ fell within the normal range. There was adequate synthesis of methylcobalamin while the synthesis of adenosylcobalamin was low. The complementation analysis showed all patients were $mut^0$. The sequence analysis identified 12 different MMUT mutations, including 2 novel mutations, p.Gln267Ter and p.Ile697Phe, were identified. All the patients in this study had neonatal onset of symptoms, belonged to $mut^0$ complementation class, and as a result, showed no cobalamin responsiveness. Conclusion: No Korean MMA patient showed cobalamin responsiveness.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.505-512
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• 2018

Purpose: Many reconstruction methods have been attempted after an en-bloc resection of the proximal humerus. In particular, the introduction of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has made a breakthrough in the functional recovery of the shoulder. Nevertheless, RSA has limitations when the humeral bone stock loss is significant. In addition, it is unclear if RSA is effective in patients showing failure with non-operative treatment of a proximal humeral tumor. Materials and Methods: A reconstruction was performed using an overlapping allograft-RSA composite for 11 patients with a failed proximal humeral construct. Delayed RSA was performed on 6 patients with failed non-operative treatment. The pre- and postoperative Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and the complications were addressed. Results: Overlapping allograft-RSA composite afforded a stable construct in 11 failed proximal humeral reconstructions and the patient's chief complaints were resolved. The mean time to the union of overlapped allograft-host junction was 5.5 months. Average preoperative MSTS score of 20.3 point increased to 25.7 point, postoperatively. Four of the six patients who had RSA within 4 years from the index operation showed arm elevation of more than $90^{\circ}$ whereas the remaining 5 patients showed some disability. The complications include one case each of dislocation and aseptic infection, which were resolved by changing the polyethylene liner and scar revision, respectively. None of the 6 patients who underwent delayed RSA after the failure of non-operative treatment showed arm elevation more than $90^{\circ}$. Conclusion: An overlapping allograft-RSA composite is a simple and reliable reconstructive modality in patients with massive bone loss. In patients with metastatic cancer necessitating a surgical resection at presentation, early conversion to RSA is recommended to secure functional recovery.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2021

Purpose: Urea cycle disorder (UCD) is an inherited inborn error of metabolism, acting on each step of urea cycle that cause various phenotypes. The purpose of the study was to investigate the long-term clinical consequences in different groups of UCD to characterize it. Methods: Twenty-two patients with UCD genetically confirmed were enrolled at Pusan National University Children's hospital and reviewed clinical features, biochemical and genetic features retrospectively. Results: UCD diagnosed in the present study included ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) (n=10, 45.5%), argininosuccinate synthase 1 deficiency (ASSD) (n=6, 27.3%), carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPS1D) (n=3, 13.6%), hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria syndrome (HHHS) (n=2, 9.1%), and arginase-1 deficiency (ARG1D) (n=1, 4.5%). The age at the diagnosis was 32.7±66.2 months old (range 0.1 to 228.0 months). Eight (36.4%) patients with UCD displayed short stature. Neurologic sequelae were observed in eleven (50%) patients with UCD. Molecular analysis identified 37 different mutation types (14 missense, 6 nonsense, 6 deletion, 6 splicing, 3 delins, 1 insertion, and 1 duplication) including 14 novel variants. Progressive growth impairment and poor neurological outcomes were associated with plasma isoleucine and leucine concentrations, respectively. Conclusion: Although combinations of treatments such as nutritional restriction of proteins and use of alternative pathways for discarding excessive nitrogen are extensively employed, the prognosis of UCD remains unsatisfactory. Prospective clinical trials are necessary to evaluate whether supplementation with BCAAs might improve growth or neurological outcomes and decrease metabolic crisis episodes in patients with UCD.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2022

Purpose: Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began, new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have emerged, and distinct epidemic waves of COVID-19 have occurred for an extended period. This study aimed to analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children with COVID-19 from the third wave to the middle of the fourth epidemic wave in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of hospitalized patients aged ≤18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. The study periods were divided into the third wave (from November 13, 2020 to July 6, 2021) and the fourth wave (from July 7 to October 31, 2021). Results: Ninety-three patients were included in the analysis (33 in the third and 60 in the fourth waves). Compared with the third wave, the median age of patients was significantly older during the fourth wave (6.7 vs. 2.8 years, P=0.014). Household contacts was reported in 60.2% of total patients, similar in both periods (69.7 vs. 55.0%, P=0.190). Eighty-one (87.1%) had symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among these, 10 (12.3%) had no respiratory symptoms. Anosmia or ageusia were more commonly observed in the fourth epidemic wave (10.7 vs. 34.0%, P=0.032). Most respiratory illness were upper respiratory tract infections (94.4%, 67/71), 4 had pneumonia. The median cycle threshold values (detection threshold, 40) for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and envelope (E) genes of SARS-CoV-2 were 21.3 and 19.3, respectively. There was no significant difference in viral load during 2 epidemic waves. Conclusions: There were different characteristics during the two epidemic waves of COVID-19.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

Purpose: To compare clinical outcome of Sanders type IV intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus ORIF and primary subtalar arthrodesis (PSTA). Materials and Methods: Between March 2003 and November 2013, 22 patients with 22 Sanders type 4 intra-articular calcaneal fractures were included in this study. Of these, 11 were treated with ORIF (ORIF group), and 11 were treated with ORIF and PSTA (PSTA group). The mean follow-up period was 34.6 months (range, 18-72 months). Clinical outcomes were assessed along with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society's ankle-hindfoot scale (AOFAS score), and the visual analogue scale pain score (VAS score) at 6-month, 12-month, and last follow-up. Patient satisfaction, return to previous occupation and postoperative complications were also investigated. Results: The results for ORIF did not differ from those for PSTA based on the last follow-up AOFAS scores or the VAS scores (p>0.05). However, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the PSTA group (p=0.008). Secondary subtalar arthrodesis was conducted in five patients (45.5%) of the ORIF group within 2 years postoperatively. Conclusion: We were unable to demonstrate a significant difference in clinical outcomes between ORIF and PSTA; however, the patient satisfaction was higher in the PSTA group. PSTA may be a suitable choice for patients who need fast recovery to daily activity and to prevent the need for secondary subtalar arthrodesis.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.635-645
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• 2019

Non-specific chronic neck pain (CNP) is a prevalent disorder and often accompany with pain, fatigue, reduced range of motion (ROM), and hand function. Although various types of drug are commonly used to manage the symptoms following CNP, there is a need for therapeutic exercise and alternative medicine interventions that have few side effects or are easy to apply. Present study investigated the effects of salt pack and neck exercise for life care of the elderly with non-specific CNP. Sixteen patients with non-specific CNP were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups: the intervention group (n=8) or the control group (n=8). All patients performed neck self-exercise for 30 min/day, 5 times a week for 1 week. And the subjects in the intervention group additionally received salt hot pack for 20 min per session. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain pressure threshold (PPT) using algometer were used to assess pain intensity (primary outcome). ROM of shoulder joint and grip strength were measured to test shoulder and hand function (secondary outcome). There were significant improvements in the intervention group (p<.05), while the subjects in the control group did not show a significant change after intervention (p>.05). Also, the intervention group show significant differences in VAS and PPT compared to the control group (p<.05). Thus, our results demonstrated that salt pack and neck exercise have a positive effect for life care in elderly patients with non-specific CNP.