• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.893-897
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• 2009

Purpose : Advances in neonatal intensive care have improved the survival rate of low-birth-weight infants, but mild bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) with the accompanying need for prolonged oxygen supplement remains problematic. Maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal ventilator care affect the development of BPD. This study aimed to examine whether maternal chorioamnionitis or neonatal ventilator care affect the development of BPD dependently or independently. Methods : We performed a retrospective study of 158 newborn infants below 36 weeks of gestational age and 1,500 gm birth weight admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Daegu Fatima Hospital between January 2000 and December 2006. We analyzed the incidence of BPD according to maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal ventilator care. Result : Histologic chorioamnionitis was observed in 50 of 158 infants (31.6%). There were no significant differences in the development of BPD (P=0.735) between the chorioamnionitis (+) and chorioamnionitis (-) groups. In the multiple regression analysis, ventilator care (OR=7.409, 95% CI=2.532-21.681) and neonatal sepsis (OR=4.897, 95% CI=1.227-19.539) affected the development of BPD rather than maternal chorioamnionitis (OR=0.461, 95% CI=0.201-1.059). Conclusion : Ventilator care or neonatal sepsis may play a role in the development of BPD rather than maternal chorioamnionitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2009

Purpose : Inflammation plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Strategies for preventing BPD include respiratory management, antioxidants, nutritional treatment, and others such as anti-inflammatory agents. We aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of montelukast (MK), a cysteinyl leukotriene 1 receptor antagonist, as an add-on therapy in BPD. Methods : In addition to currently available standard measures such as oxygen supplementation, bronchodilators, nutritional support, and/or diuretics, montelukast was administered to 15 preterm infants with BPD. MK was given orally (1 mg/kg/d) for a mean period of 12 weeks. We compared safety and efficacy parameters with historical controls. Results : All 15 patients survived, and no differences were found in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups. The ventilation index was significantly improved after 2 weeks in MK group compared with historical controls. There were no significant differences in other respiratory parameters (MAP, oxygen dependency, and ventilator dependency) between the groups, but the MK group showed trends of greater improvement. Conclusion : Administration of MK 1 mg/kg/d was well tolerated in preterm BPD patients as an add-on therapy. We demonstrated that after 2 weeks of MK administration of 1 mg/kg/d, MK had beneficial therapeutic effects on BPD patients as an add-on to the standard therapy. Further multicenter randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of MK as a useful supplement to standard therapy for BPD patients.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2008

Purpose : This study examined the occurrence of oxygen desaturation events during nutritive sucking in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and its effects on feeding and growth outcomes until 4 months of corrected age (CA). Methods : Thirty-four premature infants with BPD free from major cardiac, gastrointestinal, respiratory anomalies were included. By reviewing medical records, clinical characteristics, feeding conditions at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA), we focused on oxygen desaturation, and short-term outcomes in 14 infants with no or mild desaturation (group A) and in 20 infants with moderate or severe desaturation (group B). Results : Group B had lower birth weight and shorter gestational age at birth, longer duration of hospitalization, was discharged at higher weeks of PMA, and needed ventilatory assist and oxygen supplementation longer than group A (P<0.05). Group B started nutritive sucking later, with a greater decrease in $SpO_2$ during sucking, being more indicative of feeding problems at 40 weeks of PMA, but not at 4 months of CA. Percent of infant needing oxygen supplementation and percent of infants with growth failure were not different between groups at 40 weeks of PMA and 4 months of CA. Body weight and growth velocity differences noted at 40 weeks of PMA became insignificant at 4 months of CA. Conclusion : The severity of desaturation during nutritive sucking in premature infants with BPD influenced the infant's feeding and growth at 40 weeks of PMA. However, it disappeared at 4 months of CA.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.96-103
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• 2011

Purpose: Although infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at risk of developing secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, little has been reported about the incidence, clinical course and prognosis of PH secondary to BPD in premature infants. This study was done to investigate the incidence, risk factors, clinical course, and the ultimate prognosis of PH developed secondary to BPD in very low birth weight infants (<1,500 g). Methods: Medical records of very low birth weight infant (VLBWI) admitted to Samsung Medical Center NICU from January 2000 to July 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. BPD was defined by Jobe's classification. The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was established as velocity of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) ${\geq}$3 m/s and a flattening of the intraventricular septum by conducting Doppler echocardiography. Results: The incidence of pulmonary hypertension was 6% in VLBWI with BPD and it developed in moderate to severe BPD. The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension was made on postnatal 133 days (range 40-224 days) and the risk factors related to developing pulmonary hypertension were severe BPD, small for gestational age and outborn infants. The mortality rate was 57% and especially higher in severe BPD (70%). The time to recovery spent 3 months (range 1-10 months) in survived patients. Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, pulmonary hypertension secondary to BPD in VLBWI related to severity of BPD and had a poor prognosis. We expect that regular long-term echocardiography may be helpful in treating reversible in VLBWI with moderate to severe BPD.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the current use of dexamethasone rescue therapy (DRT) for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods: This is a retrospective study of 251 BPD patients managed in the neonatal intensive care units at Seoul National University Childrens Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between March 2004 and August 2008. The demographic data and clinical characteristics of the mothers and infants were analyzed. The infants were compared based on DRT responsiveness. The DRT complications were investigated. Results: Ninety-three patients (37.1%) were classified with severe BPD, DRT was only given to patients with severe BPD. Dexamethasone was administered to 24 patients (9.6%) whose respiratory status had precluded extubation, which indicated that conventional BPD management had failed. Fourteen patients (58.3%) who received DRT were responsive. DRT non-responders required more oxygenation and more complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Responder had shorter length's of hospitalization and lower mortality rates. High dose dexamethasone was no more effective in weaning neonates from the ventilatior than low dose dexamethasone. Sepsis was the most common complication of DRT. Conclusion: DRT is a valuable treatment for severe BPD ahead of PAH development. DRT should not be performed in BPD patients with PAH due to the possibility of complications.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.472-483
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• 2020

Purpose: Sodium is an essential nutritional electrolyte that affects growth. A low serum sodium concentration in healthy premature infants beyond 2 weeks of life is called late-onset hyponatremia (LOH). Here, we investigated the association between LOH severity and growth outcomes in premature infants. Methods: Medical records of premature infants born at ≤32 weeks of gestation were reviewed. LOH was defined as a serum sodium level <135 mEq/L regardless of sodium replacement after 14 days of life. Cases were divided into two groups, <130 mEq/L (severe) and ≥130 mEq/L (mild). Characteristics and growth parameters were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 102 premature infants with LOH were included. Gestational age ([GA] 27.7 vs. 29.5 weeks, p<0.001) and birth weight (1.04 vs. 1.34 kg, p<0.001) were significantly lower in the severe group. GA was a risk factor of severe LOH (odds ratio [OR], 1.328, p=0.022), and severe LOH affected the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR, 2.950, p=0.039) and led to a poor developmental outcome (OR, 9.339, p=0.049). Growth parameters at birth were lower in the severe group, and a lower GA and sepsis negatively affected changes in growth for 3 years after adjustment for time. However, severe LOH was not related to growth changes in premature infants. Conclusion: Severe LOH influenced the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and developmental outcomes. However, LOH severity did not affect the growth of premature infants beyond the neonatal period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2023

Background: Surgical closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD) is infrequently indicated during infancy. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent surgical ASD closure during infancy. Methods: A single-center retrospective review was performed for 39 patients (19 males) who underwent surgical ASD closure during infancy between 1993 and 2020. The median body weight percentile at the time of operation was 9.3. Results: During a median follow-up of 60.9 months, 4 late deaths occurred due to chronic respiratory failure. A preoperative history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was the only risk factor for late mortality identified in Cox regression (hazard ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-163.04; p=0.015). The 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in patients with preoperative history of BPD (97.0% vs. 50.0%, p<0.001) and preoperative ventilatory support (97.1% vs. 40.4%, p<0.001). There were significant postoperative increases in left ventricular end-diastolic (p=0.017), end-systolic (p=0.014), and stroke volume (p=0.013) indices. A generalized estimated equation model showed significantly better postoperative improvement in body weight percentiles in patients with lower weight percentiles at the time of operation (<10th percentile, p=0.01) and larger indexed ASD diameter (≥45 mm/m², p=0.025). Conclusion: Patients with ASD necessitating surgical closure during infancy are extremely small preoperatively and remain small even after surgical closure. However, postoperative somatic growth was more prominent in smaller patients with larger defects, which may be attributable to an increase in postoperative cardiac output due to changes in ventricular septal configuration. The benefits of ASD closure in patients with BPD are undetermined.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.9
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• pp.273-281
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• 2017

To date, preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) after birth have been managed with a combination of endotracheal intubation, surfactant instillation, and mechanical ventilation. It is now recognized that noninvasive ventilation (NIV) such as nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in preterm infants is a reasonable alternative to elective intubation after birth. Recently, a meta-analysis of large controlled trials comparing conventional methods and nasal CPAP suggested that CPAP decreased the risk of the combined outcome of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death. Since then, the use of NIV as primary therapy for preterm infants has increased, but when and how to give exogenous surfactant remains unclear. Overcoming this problem, minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) allows spontaneously breathing neonates to remain on CPAP in the first week after birth. MIST has included administration of exogenous surfactant by intrapharyngeal instillation, nebulization, a laryngeal mask, and a thin catheter. In recent clinical trials, surfactant delivery via a thin catheter was found to reduce the need for subsequent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, and improves short-term respiratory outcomes. There is also growing evidence for MIST as an alternative to the INSURE (intubation-surfactant-extubation) procedure in spontaneously breathing preterm infants with RDS. In conclusion, MIST is gentle, safe, feasible, and effective in preterm infants, and is widely used for surfactant administration with noninvasive respiratory support by neonatologists. However, further studies are needed to resolve uncertainties in the MIST method, including infant selection, optimal surfactant dosage and administration method, and need for sedation.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 1994

In order to assay the human plasma concentration of nifedipine in patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and pulmonary hypertension, a modified high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was applied. The retention times for nifedipine and an internal standard (11-ketoprogesterone) were $10.5\;{\pm}\;0.41$ and $13.1\;{\pm}\;0.63$ min, respectively. Absolute recovery from the plasma was $102.9\;{\pm}\;7.07%$. Reproducibility was excellent and variability between the runs was small. There was a negligible degradation during the assay procedure. The calibration curve shows a good linearity in the range of the desired plasma concentrations of nifedipine. A stability test of nifedipine in the human plasma shows 8 and 13% degradation during the storage of 5 and 9 months, respectively. There were no interferences on the HPLC assay with any possible medications for the BPD. The method has been used to monitor the drug concentrations in a patient. The concentration-time curve of a patient after a single oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg shows a double-peak phenomenon that was quite different from the previous report, suggesting non-bolus administration. However the hemodynamic responses were corresponding to the plasma concentration levels of nifedipine.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.368-372
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• 2011

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the most critical morbidities in preterm infants. The incidence of NEC is 7% in very-low-birthweight infants, and its mortality is 15 to 30%. Infants who survive NEC have various complications, such as nosocomial infection, malnutrition, growth failure, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, and neurodevelopmental delays. The most important etiology in the pathogenesis of NEC is structural and immunological intestinal immaturity. In preterm infants with immature gastrointestinal tracts, development of NEC may be associated with a variety of factors, such as colonization with pathogenic bacteria, secondary ischemia, genetic polymorphisms conferring NEC susceptibility, anemia with red blood cell transfusion, and sensitization to cow milk proteins. To date, a variety of preventive strategies has been accepted or attempted in clinical practice with regard to the pathogenesis of NEC. These strategies include the use of breast feeding, various feeding strategies, probiotics, prebiotics, glutamine and arginine, and lactoferrin. There is substantial evidence for the efficacy of breast feeding and the use of probiotics in infants with birth weights above 1,000 g, and these strategies are commonly used in clinical practice. Other preventive strategies, however, require further research to establish their effect on NEC.