• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of Optimal humidification during Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (nCPAP) for Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant (ELBWI). Methods: The study design was a pre-test-post-test nonequivalent nonsynchronized quasi-experimental design. The participants were 218 ELBWI on nCPAP (experimental group: 102 and control group: 116). Data collection was conducted from January 2005 to April 2010. In order to measure and analyze the nCPAP duration, reintubation and nasal condition, Chi-square test and t-test were used. Results: Hypothesis 1, that the duration with nCPAP in the experimental group is longer than that of the control group and hypothesis 2-3, that the rate of reintubation and nasal problems in the experimental group are lower than the control group, were all supported as there were statistically significant differences between two groups. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the Optimal humidification in this study is an efficient intervention because it helps increase the last time of nCPAP with ELBWI and minimize complications. It is expected that Optimal humidification is beneficial and helpful in preventing and caring for respiratory problems in these infants.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2020

Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by intrauterine growth restriction, poor postnatal growth, relative macrocephaly, a triangular face, body asymmetry, and feeding difficulties. It is primarily diagnosed according to a clinical scoring system; however, the clinical diagnosis is confirmed with molecular testing, and the disease is stratified into the specific molecular subtypes. SRS is a genetically heterogeneous condition. The major molecular changes are hypomethylation of imprinting control region 1 in 11p15.5 and maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (UPD(7)mat). Therefore, first-line molecular testing should include methylation-specific approaches for these regions. Here, we report an extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infant with intrauterine growth retardation, postnatal growth retardation, and dysmorphic facial appearance-characteristics consistent with the clinical diagnostic criteria of SRS. Methylation-specific molecular genetic analysis revealed UPD(7)mat, while the loss of heterozygosity was not detected on chromosomal microarray analysis. We present a case of SRS with suspected uniparental heterodisomy of chromosome 7 in an ELBW infant.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.366-376
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• 2020

Purpose: To assess the association between birth weight and the development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in the first year of life. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort multicenter study including neonates, consecutively enrolled at birth, and followed up for one year. At birth all infants were classified by birth weight as extremely low (ELBW), very low, or low when <1,000, <1,500, and <2,500 g, respectively, and by birth weight for gestational age as appropriate (AGA, weight in the 10-90th percentile), small (SGA, weight <10th percentile), and large (LGA, weight >90th percentile) for gestational age. FGIDs were classified according to the Rome III criteria and assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of life. Results: Among 1,152 newborns enrolled, 934 (81.1%) completed the study: 302 (32.3%) were preterm, 35 (3.7%) were ELBW, 104 (11.1%) were SGA, 782 (83.7%) were AGA, and 48 (5.1%) were LGA infants. Overall, throughout the first year of life, 718 (76.9%) reported at least one FGID. The proportion of infants presenting with at least one FGID was significantly higher in ELBW (97%) compared to LBW (74%) (p=0.01) and in LGA (85.4%) and SGA (85.6%) compared to AGA (75.2%) (p=0.0001). On multivariate analysis, SGA was significantly associated with infantile colic. Conclusion: We observed an increased risk of FGIDs in ELBW, SGA, and LGA neonates. Our results suggest that prenatal factors determining birth weight may influence the development of FGIDs in infants. Understanding the role of all potential risk factors may provide new insights and targeted approaches for FGIDs.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.5-17
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current humidification state of incubator, the factors disturbing high humidification and to establish the evidence-based nursing protocol to maintain it. Methods: The subjects were 15 infants who were born with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) from May to October, 2007, and data were collected during the first 3 days and analyzed with SPSS WIN program. Results: The goal of humidity level in incubator was 95%, but mean humidity levels were 89.7%(1st day), 91.9%(2nd day), and 91.8%(3rd day)(p<0.001). The disturbing factors were opening frequency and duration of incubator door and window by caregivers. The handling of infants by nurses and doctors happened more frequently during the first day. Especially, nurses handled them more often than others, but the duration of opening during the invasive procedures by doctors was longer than others. The opening frequency had negative correlation with duration(r=-.779, p<.01). Conclusion: So the evidence-based protocol for maintaining high humidity in incubator for ELBW infants during the first 3 days and next 2 days was made. Furthermore we need to educate NICU nurses and doctors about minimal handling.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.310-312
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• 2011

A preterm female infant born at 27 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 990 g developed acute hypotonia, apnea, hypotension and bradycardia mimicking septic shock syndrome at 14h after birth. Laboratory tests indicated a severe hypermagnesemia of 45 mg/dL. The renal function, complete blood count and maternal blood concentrations of magnesium were normal, and the blood cultures were negative. The patient recovered with treatment including exchange transfusion. However, the etiology of the severe hypermagnesemia remains unknown.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.902-905
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• 2006

We report a case in which routine chest roentgenograms of an 840 g infant led to the belief that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was appropriately positioned within the superior vena cava when, in actuality, it was within the azygous arch. Although many cases of pleural effusions have been reported to be caused by a central venous catheter, a right-sided hydrothorax caused by azygous vein rupture from the use of a PICC is an extremely rare complication. Sudden changes in the condition of a preterm infant with PICC should raise the suspicion of a catheter-related problem.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.395-398
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• 2011

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a disorder characterized by sinus node dysfunction. Although the condition is most common in the elderly, it can occur in children including neonates and its recognition and treatment are important. The diagnosis of SSS is based on the presence of sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest or exit block, combinations of sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal conduction disturbances, and atrial tachyarrhythmias documented in the Holter recordings. In most children with SSS, previous history of congenital heart malformation or cardiac surgery is noted. SSS is also seen in the children including neonates without heart disease or other contributing factors, however SSS is most often idiopathic. The treatment of SSS depends on the basic rhythm problem, but generally involves the placement of a cardiac pacemaker. We report a case of SSS in extremely low birth weight infant without congenital heart disease and suggest that the treatment system is necessary for preterm infants with SSS.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2008

Recently, the survival rates of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants have improved with the development of neonatal intensive care. However, these infants were susceptible to intestinal perforation due to prematurity, fluid restriction, and injection of indomethacin, etc. Because of the risks of transportation, anesthesia and surgery itself, peritoneal drainage has been compared with laparotomy. Through our experience, we investigate the usefulness of peritoneal drainage retrospectively. From 1997 to 2007, six ELBW (M:F=5:1) underwent primary peritoneal drainage for intestinal perforation. Their median birth weight was 685g (405~870) and gestational age was $25^{+1}$ weeks ($24^{+3}{\sim}27^{+0}$). We noticed the intestinal perforation at median 10.5 days (8~18) after birth, and placed Penrose drain or Jackson-Pratt drain through right lower quadrant incision under local anesthesia. The cause of intestinal perforation was necrotizing enterocolitis in one patient, but that of the others was not clear. Three patients who showed normal platelet count and stable vital signs recovered uneventfully. Two patients (birth weight less than 500g) who showed unstable vital signs and low platelet count (12,000 / $mm^3$ to 30,000 / $mm^3$)expired despite aggressive resuscitation. One patient required laparotomy due to persistent intestinal obstruction after drain removal and survived. Our experience shows that peritoneal drainage was an acceptable treatment for ELBW infants and the prognosis was related to vital sign and platelet count at the time of intestinal perforation, and birth weight.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.257-266
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the themes involved in a nursing experience of caring for extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Interviews with 6 nurses in various positions and observations in a level III NICU were conducted. The transcribed interview contents and observational notes were reviewed to analyze the data and conceptualize major themes. Results: Three major themes were identified: the fears expressed by the nurses regarding taking care of ELBWIs, reasons for persistent fears, and overcoming fears and gaining intuition. Nurses were afraid of the following factors: the physical fragility of the infants; the possibility of developing disabilities in the future; and the rapid changes in infants' physical condition. These fears were reduced when nurses had developed intuition and confidence in taking care of ELBWIs through various situational experiences. Conclusion: NICU nurses may benefit from obtaining more opportunities to participate in various learning experiences with simulated nursing situations in a variety of patient groups. Applying knowledge and skills into various nursing situations in an integrative way may contribute to enhancing nurses' confidence in nursing practice.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.274-280
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• 2023

Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) in preterm infant is common, life-threatening and the main cause of bad developmental outcomes. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is used as the ultimate treatment for PHH. Low birth weight and low gestational age are the combination of worse prognostic factors while the single most important prognostic factor of VP shunting is age. Aggressive and early intervention have better effect in intraventricular hemorrhage and intracranial pressures control. It reduces infection rate and brain damage resulted in delayed shunt insertion. It is extremely important to let PHH infants get older and gain weight to have internal organs to be matured before undergoing VP shunt. As premature infants undergo shunt after further growth, shunt-related complications would be reduced. So temporary surgical intervention is critical for PHH infants to have them enough time until permanently shunted.