• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.194-198
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• 2009

Purpose: Severe abdominal distension is not uncommon symptom in the neonate. Two major causes of this symptom are benign transient intestinal ileus (BTII) and Hirschsprung`s disease (HD). But it is difficult to differentiate BTII from HD based on the symptoms and simple abdominal x-ray findings. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical aspects and diagnostic tests differencing two diseases. Methods: From August 2004 to March 2009, nineteen patients with severe abdominal distension, who underwent barium enema, anorectal manometry, and rectal suction biopsy (triple tests) due to a suspicion of HD, were enrolled. A comparison of clinical data associated with BTII and HD based on the clinical features and results of triple tests. Results: The age of onset of symptom was between 2 and 6 weeks in BTII and within 3 weeks in HD. On the barium enema, transitional zone revealed in 6 (50%) patients in BTII and 4 (57.1%) in HD. On anorectal manometry, the anorectal inhibitory reflex was present in 11 (91.7%) patients in BTII and 1 (14.3%) in HD. On rectal suction biopsy, ganglion cell was present in 9 (75%) patients in BTII and 0 (0%) in HD. Abdominal distension was improved within 3 months of life in all cases of BTII. Conclusion: We think that anorectal manometry may be more simple and useful diagnostic method than barium enema and rectal suction biopsy for differential diagnosis of transient intestinal ileus and Hirschsprung's disease.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2006

Purpose: The proper diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is difficult and delayed because of the variety of clinical manifestations. We reviewed clinical characteristics of symptomatic MD to facilitate early detection. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the clinical manifestations, diagnostic tools, histopathological findings, and operative findings in 58 patients with symptomatic MD. Results: The male to female ratio was 2.8 : 1. The most common symptom of MD was bleeding. Others symptoms included: vomiting, abdominal pain, irritability, abdominal distension and fever in the order of frequency. The clinical manifestations of symptomatic MD were lower gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, perforation, diverticulitis and hemoperitoneum, in the order of frequency. The causes of intestinal obstruction were intussusception, internal hernia, band, volvulus, invagination, in the order of frequency. Seventy five percent of patient with MD were diagnosed prior to 5 years of age. The most frequently used diagnostic tool was the Meckel's scan. The diverticulum was located 2 cm to 120 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The length of the diverticulum ranged from 1 cm to 10 cm and 94% were less than 5 cm. The most common ectopic tissue found in the MD was gastric mucosa. Ileal resection was more frequently performed than diverticulectomy. Conclusion: In cases of unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction and repeated intussusception, the meckel's scan, ultrasound and computed tomography shoud be considered to rule out MD, and if clinically necessary, an exploratory laparotomy when needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.875-880
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the level of contamination of pathogenic Escherichia (E.) coli in 50 types of red pepper powders collected domestically. Pathogenic E. coli was confirmed using real-time PCR to confirm the 4 types of EAEC, EPEC, EHEC and ETEC. One sample out of 50 was contaminated with pathogenic E. coli. The type of pathogenic E. coli detected in the sample was EAEC. This study was also conducted to determine the effect of alcohol treatment on the reduction of E. coli populations in red pepper powder. The amount of E. coli in the control was $1.2{\times}10^6$ cfu/mL. The amount of E. coli in 10 minutes immersion treatment with 10% alcohol was $1.1{\times}10^6$ cfu/mL. In samples treated with over 20% alcohol, E. coli was not detected. This showed that 10 minutes of immersion in over 20% alcohol might be effective to reduce E. coli. This study was also conducted to determine the effect of UV irradiation on E. coli reduction. The number of E. coli in the control group was $5.0{\times}10^5$ cfu/mL. However, the number of E. coli in 45 min of the UV irradiated sample decreased to $1.0{\times}10^3$ cfu/mL, by $10^2$ cfu/mL. In contrast, E. coli was not detected in an over 60 min UV irradiated sample in $10^{-2}dilution$. This study showed that over 20% alcohol treatment and UV irradiation for 60 min was effective to control E. coli in red pepper powder.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1216-1220
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• 2009

Purpose:To analyze and compare various cases in which peritoneal drainage was used as the primary treatment method in preterm infants with intestinal perforation. Methods:Among the preterm infants of less than 28 weeks of gestation who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Gangnam Severance Hospital from April 2006 to April 2009, 7 who had developed intestinal perforation were studied retrospectively. We investigated the clinical characteristics, secondary operation performances, morbidities, complications, and mortalities. Results:Among the 7 infants, 5 survived. Of the 5 cases, 3 received laparotomy, of which 2 were confirmed as having necrotizing enterocolitis. Of the 2 infants who died, 1 had received laparotomy before 48 h of peritoneal drainage, while the other had not received any subsequent treatment. Of the 7 children, 4 had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), of which 3 had received indomethacin injection. Five infants had begun enteral feeding before they developed intestinal perforation. Of the 5 infants who survived, 4 were diagnosed with cholestasis. Of the 7 infants, 4 developed periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and 3 developed rickets. Conclusion:Although the use of peritoneal drainage as the primary management of intestinal perforation in preterm infants is controversial, we suggest that it can be used for treating extreme premature neonates. Further randomized controlled study will be required to determine the feasibility of using this method.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1065-1070
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to determine whether early closure (within 7 d) of significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with indomethacin or ligation reduces neonatal morbidity when compared with delayed closure (after 7 d). Methods : Fifty-eight extremely-low-birth-weight infants admitted to the NICU of Seoul National University Hospital from April 2005 to May 2007 with PDA were studied retrospectively. Results : The mean gestational age (GA) was $26{\pm}2weeks$ (range, 23-32 wk), and the birth weight was $782{\pm}146g$ (range, 430-990 g). The delayed closure group was associated with early GA ($25.7{\pm}1.7wk$ vs $27.1{\pm}2.0wk$, P=0.013), in vitro fertilization (IVF) (55% vs 24%, P=0.017), and the absence of preeclampsia (5% vs. 34%, P=0.013). There was no difference in ductal size between the early closure and delayed closure groups. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (95% vs 65%, P=0.012) and intraventricular hemorrhage (70% vs. 39%, P=0.027) increased in the delayed closure group. Using regression analysis adjusted for gestational age, delayed closure correlated positively with the duration of ventilator support (P=0.008), hospitalization (P=0.020), time to full enteral feeding (P<0.001), and total parenteral nutrition (P=0.010). Conclusion : Delayed closure of the hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in extremely-low-birth-weight infants is significantly related to the development of various morbidities. Thus, early closure of PDA is needed within the first week of life.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.7-22
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• 2010

Purpose: Nodular gastritis is a characteristic finding of Helicobacter pylori infection in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in gene expression in the gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected and non-infected children, and to analyze the difference in gene expression using cDNA microarray analysis of nodular gastritis caused by H. pylori infection. Methods: Twelve children (6 boys and 6 girls; mean age 9.8 years) who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital were included in the study. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the presence of H. pylori infection and nodular gastritis on endoscopic examination. Gastric mucosa tissue was kept at $-70^{\circ}C$ and RNA was extracted to perform cDNA microarray analysis in each patient. Results: cDNA microarray analysis in children revealed a clear distinction between H. pylori-infected and non-infected gastric mucosa. Specifically, 182 over-expressed genes and 29 under-expressed genes were identified in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa compared to non-infected mucosa. H. pylori-infected nodular gastritis revealed different gene expression patterns from H. pylori-infected normal gastric mucosa; five genes were over-expressed and five genes were under-expressed. Conclusion: In the presence of H. pylori infection, gastric mucosa shows distinct differences in gene expression, and nodular gastritis with H. pylori infection in children may be associated with over- or under-expression of some genes. Further studies are required to clarify the host response and the pathogenesis of nodular gastritis in children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.158-165
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• 2002

Purpose: We designed this retrospective study to establish the incidence of diagnosic delay in children diagnosed with acute appendicitis and to identify associated factors with delayed diagnosis and its impact on the clinical course. Methods: All cases of children under 15 years of age who underwent appendectomy from 1996 to 2001 at Gangneung Asan Hospital were reviewed. We reviewed signs and symptoms, type of health professional first contacted, the advice given by the health professional and a history of appendicitis in first degree relatives. Diagnostic period is the time elapsed between first complaints and definitive diagnosis. Delay was defined as diagnostic period exceeded the 48 hours. Postoperative course and complications were also reviewed. Results: Incidence of diagnostic delay differed by whether diarrhea and fecalith on X-ray were present. Also children whose parents were advised to observe them at home were more likely to have a diagnostic delay. In almost half of the cases in delayed group, initial diagnosis was not acute appendicitis but gastroenteritis. The perforation rate in non-delayed group was 22%, whereas 87% in delayed group. The delayed group showed a higher number of postoperative complication and a longer hospitalization period. Conclusions: Diarrhea with abdominal pain and fever in children should not be dismissed as gastroenteritis, respiratory infections or other common disorders. Our study suggests that physicians have a responsibility to prevent diagnostic delay and resultant perforation of acute appendicitis in children by having a high index of suspicion about acute appendicitis.