• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.688-693
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• 2010

An increase in the number of preterm infants and a decrease in the gestational age at birth have resulted in an increase in the number of patients with significant bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH contributes significantly to the high morbidity and mortality in the BPD patients. Therefore, regular monitoring for PH by using echocardiography and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal-proBNP must be conducted in the BPD patients with greater than moderate degree to prevent PH and to ensure early treatment if PH is present. In the BPD patients with significant PH, multi-modality treatment, including treatment for correcting an underlying disease, oxygen supply, use of diverse selective pulmonary vasodilators (inhaled nitric oxide, inhaled prostacyclins, sildenafil, and endothelin-receptor antagonist) and other methods, is mandatory.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.129-132
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• 2009

저자들은 청색증과 끙끙거림, 심비대로 전원되어 심장 초음파 검사에서 좌심실에 발생한 단독 심실 비치밀화증을 가진 신생아 1예를 경험하였다. 환자에서 측정한 NT pro-BNP는 높았고, 수유 곤란과 빈호흡을 동반한 심부전 증상이 있었다. 심부전증에 대한 치료에도 불구하고 주기적으로 시행한 NT pro-BNP가 더 높아지면서 환자에게서 급성 심정지가 발생하였고, 심폐소생술 이후 NT pro-BNP가 다시 낮아지면서 심부전 등의 증상은 호전을 보였다. 심초음파 검사와 함께 NT pro-BNP를 주기적으로 검사해 보는 것이 병의 경과를 예측하는데 도움이 될 수 있을 것이다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제54권8호
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• pp.340-344
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• 2011

Purpose: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been considered a biochemical marker for myocarditis in Kawasaki disease. We performed this study to determine its quantitative significance. Methods: We attempted to correlate log-transformed BNP concentrations (log-BNP) and clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic variables in 81 children with Kawasaki disease. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the variables independently associated with log-BNP concentration. Results: Serum C-reactive protein level (P<0.0001), serum alanine aminotransferase concentration (P =0.0032), white blood cell count (P=0.0030), and left ventricular mass index (P=0.0024) were positively related with log-BNP, and hemoglobin level (P<0.0001), serum albumin level (P<0.0001), $Na^+$ concentrations (P<0.0001), left ventricular fractional shortening (P=0.0080), and peak early diastolic tissue velocity of the left ventricular basal lateral segment (P=0.0045) were negatively related to the log-BNP concentration. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum albumin concentration ($R_2$=0.31, P=0.0098) and left ventricular mass index ($R_2$=0.09, P=0.0004) were significantly associated with the log-BNP concentration. Conclusion: Elevated BNP levels during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease may be attributable to cardiac dysfunction associated with the increase in left ventricular mass, and log-BNP concentration may be a quantitative biochemical marker of myocarditis in Kawasaki disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권7호
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• pp.298-302
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• 2016

Purpose: Recent reports showed that plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) could be a useful biomarker of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) unresponsiveness and coronary artery lesion (CAL) development in Kawasaki disease (KD). The levels of these peptides are critically influenced by age; hence, the normal range and upper limits for infants and children are different. We performed an age-adjusted analysis of plasma NT-proBNP level to validate its clinical use in the diagnosis of KD. Methods: The data of 131 patients with KD were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups-group I (high NT-proBNP group) and group II (normal NT-proBNP group)-comprising patients with NT-proBNP concentrations higher and lower than the 95th percentile of the reference value, respectively. We compared the laboratory data, responsiveness to IVIG, and the risk of CAL in both groups. Results: Group I showed significantly higher white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, C-reactive protein level, aspartate aminotransferase level, and troponin-I level than group II (P<0.05). The risk of CAL was also significantly higher in group I (odds ratio, 5.78; P=0.012). IVIG unresponsiveness in group I was three times that in group II (odds ratio, 3.35; P= 0.005). Conclusion: Age-adjusted analysis of plasma NT-proBNP level could be helpful in predicting IVIG unresponsiveness and risk of CAL development in patients with KD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권11호
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• pp.489-495
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• 2014

Purpose: The aims of this study were to document our single-center experience with pediatric acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) and to investigate its clinical features and short-term outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all children <18 years old who were diagnosed with AFM between October 2008 and February 2013. Data about patient demographics, initial symptoms, investigation results, management, and outcomes between survivors and nonsurvivors were collected. Results: Seventeen of 21 patients (80.9%) with myocarditis were diagnosed with AFM. Eleven patients (64.7%) survived to discharge, and 6 (35.3%) died. Electrocardiography on admission revealed dysrhythmia in 10 patients (58.8%); of these, all 7 patients with a complete atrioventricular block survived. Fractional shortening upon admission was significantly different between the survivors (16%) and nonsurvivors (8.5%) (P=0.01). Of the serial biochemical markers, only the initial brain natriuretic peptide (P=0.03) and peak blood urea nitrogen levels (P=0.02) were significantly different. Of 17 patients, 4 (23.5%) required medical treatment only. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was performed in 13 patients (76.5%); the survival rate in these patients was 53.8%. ECMO support was initiated >24 hours after admission in 4 of the 13 patients (30.7%), and 3 of those 4 patients (75%) died. Conclusion: AFM outcomes may be associated with complete atrioventricular block upon hospital admission, left ventricular fractional shortening at admission, time from admission to the initiation of ECMO support, initial brain natriuretic peptide level, and peak blood urea nitrogen level.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.12-16
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• 2018

Purpose: To differentiate adenoviral pharyngoconjunctival fever (PCF) from acute Kawasaki disease (KD) using laboratory tests before results of virus-real time polymerase chain reaction and ophthalmologic examination are obtained. Methods: Baseline patient characteristics and laboratory measurements were compared between 40 patients with adenovirus infection and 123 patients with KD. Results: The patients with adenovirus infection were generally older than those with KD (median: 3.9 years vs. 2 years, P=0.000). White blood cell and, platelet count, and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels showed significant differences between the 2 groups, but the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels did not ($6.8{\pm}3.0mg/dL$ vs. $8.3{\pm}5.8mg/dL$, P=0.126). In the adenovirus infection group, the CRP levels were <1, <3, <10, and ${\geq}10mg/dL$ in 2 (5%), 3 (7.5%), 30 (75%), and 5 patients (12.5%), respectively. The cutoff NT-proBNP level was 265 pg/mL. Discrepancy was defined as CRP and NT-proBNP levels of ${\geq}3$ or <3 mg/dL, and <265 or ${\geq}265pg/mL$, respectively. Among the 35 patients with adenovirus infection whose CRP levels were ${\geq}3mg/dL$, 29 (82.9%) showed a discrepancy. Conversely, of the 103 patients with KD whose CRP levels were ${\geq}3mg/dL$, 83 (80.6%) showed no discrepancy. Between the groups, a significant difference in discrepancy rate was observed (P=0.000). None of the patients with adenovirus infection had CRP and NT-proBNP levels of <3 mg/dL and ${\geq}265pg/mL$, respectively. Conclusion: With a sensitivity of 82.9% and a specificity of 80.6%, CRP and NT-proBNP levels may differentiate between adenoviral PCF and acute KD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.67-76
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• 2004

연구배경 : 만성호흡기질환 환자에서 폐동맥고혈압은 불량한 예후를 나타낸다. 접근성이 용이하고 비침습적인 방법으로서 혈청 NT-proBNP농도 측정이 폐동맥고혈압 진단에 유용성이 있는지 알아보기 위하여 본 연구를 진행하였다. 방 법 : 임상적으로 수축기 폐동맥고혈압이 의심되는 환자 29명을 대상으로 전기화학발광 면역분석법을 이용하여 혈청 NT-proBNP농도를 측정하였고, 동맥혈가스검사, 혈청 생화학검사, 폐기능검사, 그리고 도플러 심초음파검사를 실시하여 우심실 수축기압을 통해 수축기 폐동맥압을 예측하였다. 결 과 : 로그 값으로 치환한 혈청 NT-proBNP농도와 수축기 폐동맥압과는 양성 선형 상관관계를 갖고 있었다(Correlation coefficiency: 0.783, p-value < 0.001). 혈청 NT-proBNP 농도는 우심실 수축기압, 우심실 비대, 심실간 중격의 편평화, 우심실 확장과 유의한 관련이 있었다. 결 론 : 임상적으로 폐동맥고혈압을 의심하는 환자에서 혈청 NT-proBNP 농도 측정은 간단하게 폐동맥고혈압 유무를 알 수 있는 유용한 표지자로서 사용이 가능할 것으로 보이며, 이에 대한 추가 연구가 필요하리라 생각된다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제59권6호
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• pp.656-663
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• 2005

배 경 : 급성호흡곤란으로 응급실에 내원한 환자에서 그 원인질환을 감별하는 것은 효율적인 치료에 매우 중요하나 임상양상만으로 감별진단하기는 어려운 경우가 많다. 최근에 쉽게 측정하고 확인이 가능한 생화학적 표지자인 B-type natriuretic peptide에 대해 연구가 이루어지고 있다. 방 법 : 2004년 3월부터 7월까지 한양대학교병원 응급실로 급성호흡곤란을 주소로 내원한 261명의 환자를 대상으로 혈청 BNP를 측정하였고 임상적 소견을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 결 과 : 대상환자를 증상의 원인에 따라 크게 심부전군(n=119, 382, 113-1230 pg/ml)과 비심부전군(n=142, 29, 7-81 pg/ml)으로 나누었고(사람수, 중위수, 백분위수 25-백분위수 75), 하위집단으로 심부전군은 COPD와 좌심부전이 동반된 군(n=5, 820, 354-1620 pg/ml), 폐성심군(n=3, 1650, 239-1990 pg/ml), 좌심부전군(n=111, 378, 106-1120 pg/ml)으로, 비심부전군은 COPD군(n=20, 39, 21-101 pg/ml), 기타 호흡기질환군(n=56, 59, 10-129 pg/ml), 기타 다른 원인군(n=66, 15, 6-47 pg/ml)으로 분류하였다. 혈장 BNP는 원인 질환에 따라 유의한 차이를 보였으며(p<0.001), COPD군과 좌심부전이 동반된 COPD군을 비교했을 때 심부전이 동반될 때 혈장 BNP가 의미있게 높았다(p=0.002). 당뇨병, 고혈압, 흡연 및 신부전 등 심질환의 위험인자가 없는 환자들에서 심부전의 동반 유무와 BNP값을 비교해 보았을 때, 심부전이 동반된 경우 의미있게 BNP값이 증가되어 있었다(p<0.001). 또한, BNP가 133 pg/ml이상일 경우 예민도 0.73, 특이도 0.87로 심부전에 대한 치료에 반응할 수 있는 환자군을 감별할 수 있었다. 결 론 : 혈장 BNP는 급성호흡곤란의 감별진단에서 심부전의 유무를 알아내고 효율적인 치료를 앞당기는데 유용한 검사이다. 특히, 기존의 호흡기 질환을 가지고 있거나 심장질환의 위험요인이 없더라도 BNP가 높은 수치를 보일 경우에는 심부전의 가능성을 고려해서 환자에게 접근해야 한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제58권10호
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• pp.374-379
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• 2015

Purpose: Incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD) is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Delayed diagnosis leads to increasing risk of coronary artery aneurysm. Anterior uveitis is an important ocular signs of KD. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in laboratory findings, including echocardiographic measurements, clinical characteristics such as fever duration and treatment responses between KD patients with and those without uveitis. Methods: We conducted a prospective study with 110 KD patients from January 2008 to June 2013. The study group (n=32, KD with uveitis) was compared with the control group (n=78, KD without uveitis). Laboratory data were obtained from each patient including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet count, and level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP). Echocardiographic measurements and intravenous immunoglobulin responses were compared between the two groups. Results: The incidence of uveitis was 29.0%. Neutrophil counts and patient age were higher in the uveitis group than in the control group. ESR and CRP level were slightly increased in the uveitis group compared with the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. No significant differences in coronary arterial complication and treatment responses were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Uveitis is an important ocular sign in the diagnosis of incomplete KD. It is significantly associated with patient age and neutrophil count.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제2권5호
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• pp.555-563
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• 1998

The renal function is under regulatory influence of central nervous system (CNS), in which various neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems take part. However, a possible role of central GABA-benzodiazepine system on the central regulation of renal function has not been explored. This study was undertaken to delineate the renal effects of diazepam. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine agonist, administered into a lateral ventricle (icv) of the rabbit brain in doses ranging from 10 to 100 ${\mu}g/kg,$ elicited dose-related diuresis and natriuresis along with improved renal hemodynamics. However, when given intravenously, 100 ${\mu}g/kg$ diazepam did not produce any significant changes in all parameters of renal function and systemic blood pressure. Diazepam, 100 ${\mu}g/kg$ icv, transiently decreased the renal nerve activity (RNA), which recovered after 3 min. The plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased 7-fold, the peak coinciding with the natriuresis and diuresis. Muscimol, a GABAergic agonist, 1.0 ${\mu}g/kg$ given icv, elicited marked antidiuresis and antinatriuresis, accompanied by decreases in systemic blood pressure and renal hemodynamics. When icv 0.3 ${\mu}g/kg$ muscimol was given 3 min prior to 30 ${\mu}g/kg$ of diazepam icv, urinary flow and Na excretion rates did not change significantly, while systemic hypotension was produced. These results indicate that icv diazepam may bring about natriuresis and diuresis by influencing the central regulation of renal function, and that the renal effects are related to the increased plasma ANP levels, not to the decreased renal nerve activity, and suggest that the effects may not be mediated by the activation of central GABAergic system.