• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 1993

To find some involvement of environmental factors in autism, season of birth, birth order, and maternal age at birth of autistic children were investigated Total number of clinical outpatient autistic children was 357, which consisted of 319 male and 38 female, then male-to-female sex ratio was 8.4 to 1, and all subjects were born during $1986{\sim}1988.$ These data were compared with those of controlled general populations. The results were as follows : 1) In monthly and seasonal distributions of birth, autistic children were not different from normal control 2) Comparing with control group by Slater's and Greenwood-Yule's birth order calculation methods, there was no significant difference in birth order of autistic children 3) The maternal ages at birth in autistic group were significantly higher than those of control group(P<01) 4) High-risk pregnancies were significantly frequent in autistic group compared with control group(p<01)Our study supported the idea that at least some environmental factors, especially at-risk pregnancy, are involved in autism causation.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-26
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• 2006

This paper examines the interplay among changes in socioeconomic conditions, population policies, and fertility decline during $1960{\sim}2000$ in South Korea. Period-parity-progression-ratios (PPPR) are calculated using 2% samples of Population Census with the implied distribution of completed family size. The total fertility rate based on PPPR declined from 5.21 in 1960 to 2.76 in 1980, and 1.69 in 2000. The family planning programs were successful in meeting the needs of families that wanted to prevent further childbearing after having achieved the desired family size during $1960{\sim}1970$. The 1980s mark two important landmarks: achievement of replacement fertility and emergence of high sex ratio at birth. In the 1990s the "quality and welfare" approach was emphasized. In 2000s, South Korea's fertility is one of the lowest in the world. In response to this, in 2005, the Government adopted a new population policy with the goal of increasing the total fertility level to 1.6 by 2010. The results of this study indicate that proportion of women who would have no children at all throughout their reproductive life span increased substantially from 10% in 1995 to 16% in 2000, with a sharp increase since 1997. Thus, pro-natal programs need to address the problems associated with marriage and having the first child. Towards that, it is important that work and family life become more compatible.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.933-942
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• 2006

This experiment was carried out to investigate effects of honeybee venom treatment on the humoral immune response in pigs. Corresponding author : S. K. Cho, Dept. of Animal Sci. Chung-Buk National University, Kaesin-dong, Cheongju, 361-763, Korea. phone : 043-261-2551. E-mail : deercho@chungbuk.ac.kr To investigate effects of natural honeybee venom on the concentration of immunoglobulin G, A, and M, 20 piglets(LY×D) from 3 sows were allocated into two groups bee venom-treated group(10 piglets) and non-treated control(10 piglets). Natural honeybee venom was treated at 0, 3, 6 days after birth and the acupoints were Hai-men(ST-25), Du-kou(CV-8) and Jiao-chao(GV-1) points at 0, 3 days after birth and the regions of castration and tail amputation point at 6 days. Control group was injected 1㎖ of saline to the same site. Concentrations of IgG, A, and M were measured with immunoturbidimetric method at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment. To investigate the effect of bee venom on the production of antibodies against hog cholera and atrophic rhinitis vaccines that were used as indicator antigens, 40 piglets(LYxD) from 5 sows were grouped as bee venom-treated group (20 piglets) and control group(20 piglets). Natural honeybee venom was treated at 0, 3days(castration, tail amputation) and 21days after birth. The acupoints were Hai-men(ST-25), Du-kou(CV-8) and Jiao-chao (GV-1) points at 0 day, the regions of castration and tail ampution at 3 days and Jiao-chao(GV-1) and Bai-hui(GV-20) points at 21days after birth(weaning). Control group was injected 1ml of saline to the same site. Atrophic rhinitis vaccine was injected twice at 24 and 44 days after birth and hog cholera vaccine was also injected twice at 44 and 64 days after birth. Antibody titers against Bordetella bronchiseptica and hog cholera virus were measured by using tube agglutination and ELISA tests at 24, 34, 44, 54 and 74 days after birth. Concentrations of IgG of treated group were 339.52, 366.48, 296.52, 242.06 and 219.06mg/dl at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after birth, respectively. In contrast, concentrations of IgG in control group were respectively 347.10, 334.14, 243.28, 205.18 and 191.58mg/dl during same periods with treated group. Concentrations of IgG at 0 day was not significantly different between the treated group and control group but treated group were significantly increased by 10.28% at 3 days after birth (P<0.02), 21.88% at 7 days after birth(P<0.01), 18.0% at 14 days after birth(P<0.07) and 14.3% at 21 days after birth(P<0.01). Concentrations of IgA and Ig M were not significantly different. Antibody titers against hog cholera virus were significantly increased by 57.0% at 24 days after birth(P<0.03), 74.6% at 34 days after birth (P<0.006), 48.6% at 44 days after birth(P<0.017), 45.0% at 54 days after birth(P<0.16) and 44.4% at 74 days after birth (P<0.006) in bee venom treated group in comparison with control group. Antibody titers against the Bordetella bronchiseptica was significantly increased in Beevenom treated group as 9.1% (P<0.32) at 24days, 39.7% (P<0.002) at 34days, 31.9% (P<0.02) at 44days, 33.4% (P<0.01) at 54days and 57.3% (P<0.007) at 74 days after birth when compared with those of control group pigs. Collecting together, the results in this study showed that immune responses were increased by treatment of natural honeybee venom to pigs. These results suggested that the treatment of bee venom could be used effectively for the increase of productivity in livestock industry.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 1986

As a fundamental study to increase the fertility and to modify the sex ratio in cattle, highly motile sperm were separated by bovine serum albumin gradients. The pregnancy rates of Korean native cow and Holstein cow, and the sex ratio between AI and natural mating were also investigated. The results obtained were as follows. 1. First service pregnancy rate of Korean native cow in artificial insemination was higher than that of Holstein. 2. At secondary sex ratio in artificial insemination and natural mating, male ratio in artifical insemination was slightly higher than that in natural mating. 3. The sperm separated from marketed frozen semen using 6%, 10% and 20% bovine serum albumin showed significantly high value in motility, percent of normal sperm and progressive motility as compared with control sperm.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.704-712
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• 2008

Purpose : A prospective, controlled trial was conducted to evaluate growth, efficacy, safety and nutritional status for very low birth weight infants fed with human milk fortified with Maeil human milk fortifier (Maeil $HMF^{(R)}$; Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd.). Methods : We enrolled 45 premature infants with a birth weight <1,500 g and gestational age <33 weeks, who were born at Dong-A University Hospital from October, 2006 through December, 2007. They were divided into 2 groups: infants in one group were fed with human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$, and the second were fed with preterm formula. Growth, biochemical indices, feeding tolerance, and other adverse events in each group were assessed serially and compared relatively. Follow-up data were also collected after discharge at 1, 3, and 6 months corrected age. Results : Characteristics of the 2 groups including average gestational age, birth weight, sex, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, and other adverse events (sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity, and intraventricular hemorrhage) showed no significant difference. Average feeding start day ($8.00{\pm}3.27d$ vs. $8.86{\pm}5.37d$) (P=0.99) and the number of days required to reach full feeding after start feeding ($41.78{\pm}20.47d$ vs $36.86{\pm}20.63d$) (P=0.55) were not significantly different in the group fed human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$ when compared with the group that was fed preterm formula. The duration of total parenteral nutrition and the incidence of feeding intolerance also showed no differences between the 2 groups. Although infants fed with human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$ showed faster weight gain than those fed with preterm formula at the end stage of the admission period, other growth indices of the two groups showed no significant difference. No significant correlations were found between the 2 groups with regard to weight gain velocity, height gain velocity, head circumference velocity, and post-discharge follow up growth indices. Conclusion : Premature infants fed human milk fortified with $HMF^{(R)}$ showed no significant difference compared with those fed preterm formula in growth, biochemical indices, and adverse events. Using human milk fortifier can be an alternative choice for very low birth weight infants, who need high levels nutritional support even after discharge from NICU.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.45-72
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• 1996

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the level of fertility of Koreans in China in comparison to Hans. From the demographic perspective, this paper attempts to develop explanation for Korean immigration to northeast China since the mid 19th century. Of interest are the trend of population growth and geographic distribution of Koreans in China Attention is also given to the comparison of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics between Koereans and Hans in China. The research is based on the raw data files of the 1990 Population Census from Jilin Province and Yanbian Korean Prefecture. The findings of the analysis suggest that the level of fertility of Koreans in China is substantially lower than those of Hans and other ethnic minority. This appears to be particularly true for Koreans residing in the regions densely populated with Koreans. The results of ANOVA and MCA confirm that the ethnic factor does have significant effects on the level of fertility. The lowest fertility of Koreans is found to be consistent after adjusting the effects of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the couple and the household. Despite the recent uprising of the sex ratio at birth in China, it is found in this study that the pattern of sex ratios for Koreans in Jilin Province and Yanbian Korean Prefecture has been fairly balanced and stable. Finally, Koreans are found to have higher level of child mortality than Hans and other ethnic minority.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.98-115
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• 1994

This study is attempting to examine the possible determinants of the rise of the sex ratio at birth from 106 to 110 in past decade in Taiwan. The basic hypothesis for the sudden rise of the sex ratio at birth is due to a combination of prenatal sex determination and abortion. The reasoning for this hypothesis involves three types of considerations - motivation, norm, and access. The theory is evaluated by analyzing data from birth registration and a large and representative sampie of Taiwanese wives of childbearing age. The empirical data seem to support the theoretical preposition and the basic hypothesis that the rise of the sex ratio at birth in Taiwan is due to a combination of prenatal sex determination and abortion. There is striking evidence of son-preference in the rise of the sex ratio at birth in higher birth order. In 1990 the sex ratio was 119 for third births and 128 for fourth and fifth births compared to the expected 106. Also, the 1991 KAP data indicated that women who have only daughters but no any son are more likely to make prenatal sex screening and terminate their pregnancies in male live births at higher birth order. Obviously, genetic diagnosis through chorionic villus sampling which was available in recent years was misused for prenatal sex determination and sex selective abortion.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.288-292
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• 2011

Purpose: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has increased in children and in neonates, and is particularly associated with frequent use of central venous catheter in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. It is known that the morbidity and mortality of MRSA infection are low in neonates, as compared with adults. The objective of this study was to examine the difference in clinical characteristics between VLBW infants that survived and those that did not, a catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) of MRSA. Methods: Thirty-four VLBW infants had laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection with S. aureus. We examined the incidence, mortality and morbidity of CRBSI, and predictive factors associated with mortality. Results: Twenty-six infants had same pathogen (24 MRSA, 2 Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) in the blood and in the catheter tip. Eight infants (25.8%) died in the CRBSI and they all had MRSA blood infections. Sex ratio, gestational age, duration between blood collection and identification of pathogens, and WBC and platelet count were not significantly different between patients that died from and patients that survived CRBSI of MRSA. C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in VLBW infants that died. Mean age of onset and hospital day was earlier (9.1${\pm}$6.6 vs. 26.9${\pm}$20.2; P=0.005) and shorter for patients that died (10.1${\pm}$7.0 vs. 73.0${\pm}$32.4; P=0.000). Two survivors had complications of pyogenic arthritis of the lower extremities and soft tissue infection, respectively. Conclusion: Mortality of CRBSI was likely to be high in VLBW infants and might be anticipated by CRP and early onset of disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.711-715
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• 2005

Purpose : With the recent improved survival of extremely low birth weight infants(ELBWI), enteral feeding has become a major issue. This study investigates the effects of early enteral feeding in ELBWI on their morbidity, duration of hospitalization, and mortality. Methods : ELBWI admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Samsung Medical Center from November 1994 to April 2004 who survived more than 14 days were enrolled. ELBWI were divided into two groups : an early feeding group(EF), in which enteral feeding was started within 3 days after birth; and a late feeding group(LF), in which enteral feeding was started beyond 3 days after birth. 80 ELBWI came under EF, and 131 ELBWI under LF. Results : Birth weight and gestational age did not differ between the two groups. In EF, the time to achieve full enteral feeding and the duration of parenteral nutrition were significantly shorter than in LF. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was significantly lower in EF, but the incidences of sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and cholestasis were not different between the two groups. There was no difference in the survival rate between the two groups, but the duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in EF. Conclusion : Early enteral feeding in ELBWI did not increase the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis, but rather decreased the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and shortened the duration of hospitalization.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-56
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• 2006

This study attempts to review the increasing trend in international marriage of Koreans since 1990 and explore the pattern of socio-demographic characteristics of the married couples. This paper develops a conceptual scheme for changing pattern of nuptiality including an increase in international marriage. As the key forces behind the recent increase in international marriage of Koreans, the effects of rapid decline in fertility, rise in sex ratio at birth, urbanward migration of young women, expansion of gender-equity norms, and globalization are stressed. Micro-data from the marriage registration for the period $1990{\sim}2004$ and the divorce registration for the period $2000{\sim}2004$ are utilized. This study focuses on analyzing age at marriage, previous marital experience, education, occupation, and residence of the married couples. Attention is also focused on demographic characteristics of the divorced couples. Results of analyses reveal that there exists a great deal of diversity in international marriage of Koreans. A notable aspect is the profound differences between Korean men and women in the characteristics of their foreign spouses and themselves as well. Another prominent factor emphasized in the analysis is the nationality of foreign spouse. It is indicated that the stereotype of international marriage facilitated by marriage squeeze can be mainly applied to marriages between Korean men and foreign wives from China, southeast Asian countries and the CIS of the old Soviet Union. On the other hand, direct effects of value transformation and globalization are emphasized in the explanation of marriages between Korean men and foreign wives from more developed countries as well as marriages between Korean women and foreign husbands.