• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 1999

Purpose: The aims of this study are to examine clinical characteristics, patterns of medical care utilization, and factors which determine medical care utilization of elementary school children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), to find posssible factors influencing the onset and the course of the disorder. Method: We performed questionnaires in Kwangju on children from two primary schools from June,1 1998 to June 30 and carried out statistical analysis. Result: 1) Total number of questionnaires were 1417. 715 were male and 702 were female and the ratio of male to female was 1.02:1. Average age was 10.3 years. 2) 268 children had RAP (18.9%), boys 132 (18.4%), girls136 (19.2%). 3) The duration of the pain within 10 minutes was 68.5%. 178 children with RAP (66.3%) visited the doctor. The utilization pattern of medical facilities of the pupils with RAP; the most frequently utilized medical facility was pediatrics (35.2%) and the order ran as internal medicine (31.5%), and pharmacy (29.25). The utilization pattern of medical facilities for the older students; the utilization rate of pediatrics decreased, but internal medicine increased. The major factors affecting the selection of the medical facility were geographic accessibility, kindness of the personnel, good results and traffic convenience. 4) Symptoms which were accompanied with abdominal pain were headache (44.5%), chest pain (28.2%), dizziness (26.6%), vomiting (9%), and 119 children (44.5%) had no accompanied symptoms. 5) In 95 children (35.3%) abdominal pain, occured at postprandial time, in 55 children (20.5%) before meal and in 39 children (14.7%) at school. The highest incidence rate of RAP was observed on Monday (21.4%), and the lowest on Saturday (8.7%). 6) The most frequent involved part of the abdomen was periumbrical area (38%) and the order ran as epigastrium and suprapubic area. The most frequent characteristics of abdominal pain were burning pain (36.9%) and the order ran as dull, cramping and colicky pain. Conclusion: RAP is a frequent disease entitiy in children. Too many times children with RAP are treated by other departments instead of Pediatrics. A child has a peculiar growth and development which is different to those from an adult with advancing years. So, it is necessary to choose special medical care and an adequate medical facility.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.200-209
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term outcome and the factors contributing to treatment outcome for chronic functional constipation in children. Methods: Sixty three children were enrolled who had chronic functional constipation and could be followed by telephone contact. They were treated at the Bucheon Soonchunhyang Hospital for more than 1 month and observed from March 2001 to June 2005. We analyzed the clinical features, symptoms and signs, as well as the course and results of treatment. Results: The male to female ratio was 35 (55.6%) : 28 (44.4%). The mean age at the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was $21.1{\pm}23.5$ (1.9~84.0) months and $47.1{\pm}34.2$ (6.9~138.0) months, respectively. The mean defecation frequency before treatment was $3.2{\pm}2.3$ (0.5~10.0) times per week. The symptoms associated with constipation were as follows: soiling 34 (54.0%) which was more common in males than females, large stools in 30 (47.6%), decreased bowel movements less than three times a week in 20 (31.7%), straining during defecation in 19 (30.2%) and retentive posturing 19 (30.2%). The mean duration of follow-up was $34.2{\pm}14.6$ (3.6~60.0) months and 44 (69.8%) patients had their symptoms resolve ("success") and 19 (30.2%) were not resloved ("fail") from the constipation. The time for recovery from soiling, straining during defecation and retentive posturing after treatment was $4.3{\pm}2.4$ (1.0~36.0), $5.0{\pm}1.4$ (0.8~36.0) and $5.0{\pm}3.1$ (1.0~36.0) months, respectively. A relapse of the constipation occurred in 15 (23.8%) patients, 9 (60%) boys and 6 (40%) girls. The time to relapse after cessation of treatment was $2.9{\pm}1.9$ (1.0~6.0) months and the only risk factor associated with relapse was the initial duration of treatment. Conclusion: Most of the patients had resolution of symptoms within five months after treatment; relapse occurred within three months after the interruption of treatment. The duration of treatment was important for recovery and for the prevention of relapse in the constipated children. Thus a long term maintenance of therapy and follow-up is necessary for chronic functional constipation in children.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 1999

Objectives: An outbreak of dermatosis occurred at a city gas manufacturing factory in Pohang in Aug, 1998. The authors conducted a study to find the cause and prevent the dermatosis, Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey of 73 workers in the factory twice, once or Aug. 14th and then Sept. 11th, 1998. Also, a dermatologist examined their skin lesions. We suspected ants as the cause, so we collected them for identification. Results: Twelve cases of dermatosis were identified with an attack rate of 16.4%. The attack rates were not different by age, educational level or tenures. The attack rates were 66.6% among production workers, 2.0% among clerical workers, 16.7% among tank trailer drivers and 0% among guards. The attack rate among production workers was significantly higher than that of the others (<0.01). There were no histories of the same dermatosis for the past one year. Histories of other skin diseases and allergies were very rare in both cases with skin diseases and control. Multiple, pruritic, rice-grained to bean sized erythemafous macules or papules with a central biting point could be found after initial severe itching occurred, Three cases showed signs of dermatosis with an allergic nature. The onset of dermatosis was between July 30 and Aug 12 and the durations varied from 5 days to over a month. The most frequent sites of stir lesions were the chest and abdomen (60.6%), and they were also observed on the neck (33.3%), arms (33.3%), shoulders (16.7%) and back (16.7%). Over 10 ants with their wings were collected in the work place and identified as Pachycondyla chinensis, subfamily Ponerinae. Conclusions : We thought that the outbreak of dermatosis was brought about by the ants flying into the work place through the open windows. Further studies on the factors contributing to the prosperity of the ants in this area are needed.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.166-175
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• 2004

Purpose: Present study has been undertaken to determine the distribution of various renal diseases causing asymptomatic hematuria in children and to evaluate the benefit of doing renal biopsy in these children. Methods: Study population consisted of 146 children with asymptomatic primary hematuria who had been admitted to the pediatric departmen of Kyungpook National University Hospital for the past 4 years from 1999 to 2002. In 122 out of 146 cases, renal biopsy was performed percutaneously and in 24 out of 146 cases, diagnosed as idiopathic hypercalciuria, oral calcium loading test was performed. Results: The age$(mean{\pm}SD)$ at onset or discovery of hematuria of the 146 children in-cluded in this study was $8.0\pm3.2$ years and the proportion of boys and girls was 54.8% and 45.2%, respectively. In 76 out of 146 cases(52%), asymptomatic hematuria was first diagnosed by school urinalysis screening. The proportion of histopathologic findings based on 122 biopsies was as follows : Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane(TGBM) 73 cases(50%): IgA nephropathy 20 cases(14%): Alport syndrome 6 cases(4%), Membranous Glomerulonephropathy(MGN) 4 cases(3%): Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis(MPGN) 2 cases(1%); IgA nephropathy with TGBM 3 cases(2%): 'normal' glomeruli 14 cases(10%) Twenty four cases (16%) were diagnosed as idiopathic hypercalciuria. During follow-up periods, 15% of 146 cases became hematuria-free and renal function did not deteriorate in any cases. Conclusion: Unless hematuric children manifest poor prognostic indicators for renal survival, we would recommend long term regular follow-up prior to a renal biopsy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.787-792
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• 2004

Even though there well developments in various treatment techniques for acute limb ischemia, this disease is both life threatening and limb threatening. We investigated early and mid-term results of operation for acute limb ischemia with symptoms, the combined diseases, location of occlusion, complication in our patients. Material and Method: A retrospective review was conducted in 54 patients (43 men, 11 women, mean age 67.2 years) presenting with acute limb ischemia due to arterial thrombosis or embolism between Jan. 1996 and Dec. 2003, initially underwent thromboembolectomy. Result: In 33 patients (61.1%) the timeinterval from the onset of symptom to admission was within 24 hours. Causes of acute limb ischemia were embolic occlusion (27.8%), native arterial thrombosis (66.7%), and bypass graft thrombosis (5.6%). The distribution of arterial occlusion location was at 8 aortoiliac (14.8%) and 43 distal to femoral (79.6%) and brachial (5.6%). Clinical categories were grade I in 64.8%, IIa in 24.1%, IIb in 7.4%, and III in 3.7%, All the patients were received embolectomy. Underlying diseases were heart disease (72.2%), hypertension (33.3%), cerebrovascular accident (16.7%) and diabetes (18.5%). History of smoking was noted in 96,3% of the cases. Mortality rate was 5.6％ and overall amputation rate was 9.3% (5/54). The 1-year limb salvage rate was 93.62%. Postoperative complications were 1 wound infection, 1 G1 bleeding, 3 acute renal failure, and 1 compartment syndromes. The functional outcomes of the salvaged limb according to the recommended scale for gauging changes in clinical status, revised version in 1997 were +3 in 68.5%, +2 in 9.3%, +1 in 7.4%, -1 in 5.6%, -2 in 3.7%, and -3 in 5.6%. Conclusion: This study revealed 5.6% mortality and the amputation rate was 9.3%. We have retrospectively shown good results from early diagnosis & early operation. To improve outcome, early diagnosis and understand the underlying diseases, prompt treatment and operation would be appreciated.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.753-759
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• 2005

Purpose : This study was performed to characterize clinical features of benign convulsions with gastroenteritis(CwG) in infants. Methods : We reviewed clinical features of 67 episodes in 64 patients with afebrile seizure accompanied gastroenteritis admitted to Dept. of Pediatrics Bundang CHA hospital from January 2001 to June 2004. Patients with meningitis, encephalitis/encephalopathy or apparent history of epilepsy were excluded. Results : There were 32 boys and 35 girls. The age of onset ranged from 1 to 42 months($18.5{\pm}6.1$ months). The number of children admitted to the hospital with acute gastroenteritis was 2,887 in the same period. The percentage of patients with CwG was 2.3. Seizure type was exclusively generalized tonic or tonic-clonic seizure. The average number of seizures during a single episode was 3.1 (range, 1-13). Two or more seizures occurred in 53(79.1%) of the 67 episodes. Antiepileptic drugs were administered for 42 episodes. Seizure did not cease after the administration of one kind of antiepileptic drug in 23 episodes(54.7%). The seizures were rather refractory to initial antiepileptic treatment. There were no abnormalities in serum biochemistry test including glucose and electrolytes. Cerebrospinal fluid was normal in all 54 episodes. Stool cultures were negative in 49 episodes. Rotavirus was positive in stools in 51(82.3%) of 62 episodes. Norovirus was positive in stools in 2 episodes and astrovirus in 1 of 18 episodes. CT and/or MRI were performed in 15 cases and demonstrated no neuroradiologic abnormalities. Of 73 Interictal EEG, initial 24 cases showed occasional spike or sharp wave discharges from the mid-line area during stage I-II sleep, which were apparently differentiated from vertex sharp transient or K-complexes. The mean follow-up period was 5.7 months(1-36 months). Three patients experienced a recurrence of CwG, but all patients exhibited normal psychomotor development at the last follow-up. Conclusion : Afebrile infantile convulsions with gastroenteritis are brief generalized seizure in cluster with normal laboratory findings and good prognosis. Therefore CwG is likely to be categorized as situation-related seizure of special syndrome. Recognition of this entity should lead to assurance of the parents and long-term anticonvulsant therapy is not usually warranted.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2008

Purpose : Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but fatal disorder characterized by fever, splenomegaly, pancytopenia, and hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow and other tissues. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestations and prognostic factors in patients with HLH. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the data from 29 patients who were diagnosed whit HLH in the Severance Children's Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Feb. 2007. Results : The median age at diagnosis was 3.8 years (range 0.1-12.2). The ratio of male to female patients was 1.1:1. The 5-year overall survival rate was 55.2% with a median follow-up duration of 32 months. In a multivariate analysis, the duration of fever before admission (survival vs. non-survival, 6.5 days vs. 14 days, P=0.010), the interval from the day of fever onset to the day of initiation of etoposide (survival vs. non-survival, 10 days vs. 35 days, P=0.002) and the presence of neurologic symptoms (survival vs. non-survival, 1 case vs. 7 cases, P=0.010) were independent, poor prognostic factors of HLH. EBV infection, gender, and the level of serum ferritin had no relations to the poor prognosis of the disease. Conclusion : This study showed that the presence of neurologic symptoms and a longer duration of fever were related to a poor prognosis. Therefore, if a patient develops neurologic symptoms and the duration of fever is prolonged, a prompt diagnostic approach and aggressive treatment for HLH are necessary.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.199-210
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• 1996

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis(IHPS), which occurs three of 1,000 live births, is a major cause of nonbilious vomiting of early infancy but its etiology and pathogenesis are still obscure. The operation of pyloromyotomy as described by Ramstedt in 1912 remains the standard of care for the treatment of IHPS. From January 1993 to October 1996, 35 infants with IHPS were surgically treated and the following results were obtained. 1. Thirty-five patients comprised 32 males and 3 females, and the ratio of male to female was 10.7:1. 2. The most prevalent age group was between 2 weeks and 8 weeks. 3. Of 35 infants, first born babies were 23 cases(65.7%). 4. Breast feeding was in 23 cases(65.7%). 5. The body weight percentile at admission was lower than 50 percentile in all 35 cases. 6. Onset of symptoms was predominantly between 1week and 2 weeks in 11 cases(31.4%). 7. All had a history of nonbilious vomting, generally projectile in nature. 8. In the measured serum electrolytes, hypokalemia was noted in 9 cases(25.7%), hypochloremia was observed in 14 cases(40.0%). 9. In the preoperative ultrasonography, the average muscle thickness, diameter, and length of the pylorus were 6.2mm, 12.1mm, and 17.9mm, respectively. 10. Among 35 cases, significant sonographic criteria of IHPS, muscle thickness of 5mm or more, were noted in 26 cases(83.9%). 11. A total of seven associated anomalies were noted in six patients. 12. All 35 cases were treated with Fredet-Ramstedt pyloromyotomy. 13. There were postoperative complications of wound infection in 2 cases. Intermittent nonprojectile vomiting was presented in 8 cases(22.9%) after operation, but one of them was relieved in 13 days and the rest were relieved within one week by adjustment of oral intake.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.31-49
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate discomforts and sexual life and to identify the relation between the discomforts and sexual life with low back pain. The data were collected from March 2 through July 31, 2001. Four hundred forty-two questionnaires were returned (response rate=88.0%). Analysis of the data was done with SPSS PC+ and use descriptive statistics, $x^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. regression. The statistics shows that over than 80% of the adults experienced lumbago at least one time in their life, and Back pain is known as one of the most common complaints made by the patients of all ages in the general hospital or local medical clinics throughout. However, in certain case it leads to a chronic condition which can cause a great deal of problems in management and in financial burden to individuals and society. The result of this study was summarized as follows: 1) It appeared that regarding the distribution of gender, male was the higher(63.6%) then that of female, the portion of forties was 28.5%. Sitting for long time was 23.1% in men and 21.7% in women. Unknown reason including sexual behaviour was 12.9% in men and 15.5% in women. Patients treated medicine and physical therapy were 36.4%. In level of educational background, the rate of high school was 31.0%, technical college was 28.5%. The highest proportion by occupation was 18.3% of office workers, occupation posture was 41.9% of sitting. 2) Men(26.0%) and most of women(34.8%) were not satisfied in the explanation satisfaction rate of sex life concerned disease. 23.8% in men and 23.6% in women considered flexibility of waist good. Man(33.3%) and most of woman(35.0%) considered that Health education is necessary. 32.7% in men and 27.3% in women did't mind educator is whoever. Preventing of lower back pain(LBP) and proper Health education of sex life are demanded in daily life. 3) 58.0% of man and 64.0% of woman mostly had a posture which is man over woman. 28.5% in men and 27.8% in women considered that proper information finding of LBP and sex life was very few and few. 37.7% in men and 42.7% in women have acquired information about sex life flung their friends. 4) The number of sex life was decreased from 2.96 0.98 to 2.61 1.63 and also the time of sex life was decreased from 3.65 1.89 to 226 1.64. The satisfaction rate of sex life changed from 3.60 0.86 to 2.77 1.10. In the number of sex life, The non correct group was 2.62 1.91 and the correct group was higher in 2.68 1.65. In the time of sex life, The non correct group was 2.02 1.47 and the correct group was higher in 229 1.65. The satisfaction rate of sex life was 2.76 0.86 in non correct group and 2.88 1.10 in correct group. So there was a difference. 5) In the satisfaction rate of sex life, Men who have a lower back pain were higher than women and no attack group was higher than attack group. As they had many sex life, the satisfaction rate was higher significantly in statistics. As the time of sex life was short, the satisfaction rate was lower significantly in statistics. As the age was low, the demand rate of Health education was high and as means of patient who had a lower back pain was high, the demand rate of Health education was high. As the patient who had a lower back pain had a long married life, the demand rate of Health education was high and as education level was high, the demand rate of Health education was high. It is necessary to provide patients with conservative treatment, educational teaching, and training to prevent further injuries in the future. In general, it is important to educate the public how to prevent back injuries and how to treat themselves in an onset period to prevent further injuries sliding into a chronic state. Sexuality is an integral part of normal and healthy relationships, but patients are unable to enjoy sex because they are riot able to get into a comfortable position due to back pain. Many conditions of the spine can make certain positions uncomfortable. Health educator should make the education program of the discomforts and the sexual pattern for low back pain in workplace and/or hospital. Further study Is needed on how to integrate the educational program on sexuality into the total rehabilitation program.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2006

Purpose : This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of brain tumors in children according to their location, the parental delay and the doctor's delay between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of a pediatric brain tumor. In addition, this study compared the relationship between the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval and the tumor location. Methods : A retrospective study was undertaken of 45 children with primary brain tumors admitted to Inha Hospital from July, 1986 to June, 2004. A diagnosis of the tumor location was made using brain MRI. Results : The male to female ratio was 1 : 0.67. The median age at diagnosis was 6.0 years in supratentorial tumors, 7.0 years in infratentorial tumors. Twenty four cases(53.3 percent) were located in the supratentorial area, 21 cases(46.6 percent) were located in the infratentorial area. The distribution of supratentorial tumors were 14(58.3 percent) in the cerebral hemisphere and temporal lobe, seven (29.1 percent) in the suprasellar area, and three(12.5 percent) in the pineal gland and posterial lateral ventricle. The distributions of the infratentorial tumors were 12(57.1 percent) in the cerebellar vermis and fourth ventricle, four(19.1 percent) in the brain stem, and five(23.8 percent) in the cerebellar hemisphere. The most common initial symptom was seizure(37.5 percent) in the supratentorial tumor and headache(38.0 percent) in infratentorial tumors. The median pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval (PSI) was 21 days(range 0-240 days). The median PSI with a parental delay in supratentorial tumor was six days(range 1-240 days), and 30 days(range 1-40 days) in the infratentorial tumor. We immediately diagnosed most cases after visiting the hospital. There was no significant relationship between the tumor location and the pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval. Conclusion : The most common symptom of supratentorial tumors and infratentorial tumors was seizure and headache, respectively. Although, the median pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval was shorter than in previous studies, a detailed medical history and a correctly interpreted neurological examination should lead to an earlier diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors.