• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2009

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of hepatobiliary dysfunction (HD) at our hospital and determine the possible risk factors and complications associated with the development of HD in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) treated with parenteral nutrition (PN). Methods: A retrospective study of VLBWI (n=92) that required PN between 2004 and 2008 in the NICU at the Bucheon St. Marys Hospital of Catholic University was performed. HD was defined by a direct bilirubin (DB) >2 mg and a transaminase of 60 IU/L defined cholestasis and liver injury. Groups I, II, and III were limited to cases of cholestasis, liver injury without cholestasis, and no abnormalities, respectively. The VLBWI were compared to each other. Results: Thirty-six subjects (39.1%) had cholestasis and 51 (55.4%) had liver injury. In addition, 36 (39.1%), 19 (20.7%), and 37 (40.2%) subjects were classified as groups I, II, and III, respectively. The three groups showed significant differences in gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, use of surfactant, duration of parenteral nutrition, frequency of RBC transfusions, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (P<0.05). The multiple regression analysis with cholestasis as the dependent variable, showed a significant correlation with gestational age, use of surfactant, frequency of RBC transfusions, and PDA. Conclusion: Various factors, such as birth weight, gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, use of surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), frequency of RBC transfusions, BPD, and PDA may be related to hepatobiliary dysfunction in VLBWI treated with PN.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1386-1391
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• 2005

This study examined the role of Kupffer cells in altering the hepatic secretory and microsomal function during ischemia and reperfusion (ls/Rp). Rats were subjected to 60 min of hepatic ischemia, followed by 1 and 5 h of reperfusion. Gadolinium chloride ($GdCl_{3}$, 7.5 mg/kg body weight, intravenously) was used to inactivate the Kupffer cells 1 day prior to ischemia. Is/Rp markedly increased the serum aminotransferase level and the extent of lipid peroxidation. $GdCl_{3}$ significantly attenuated these increases. Is/Rp markedly decreased the bile. flow and cholate output, and $GdCl_{3}$ restored their secretion. The cytochrome P450 content was decreased by Is/Rp. However, these decreases were not prevented by $GdCl_{3}$. The aminopyrine N-demethylase activity was decreased by Is/Rp, while the aniline p-hydroxylase activity was increased. $GdCl_{3}$ prevented the increase in the aniline p-hydroxylase activity. Overall, Is/Rp diminishes the hepatic secretory and microsomal drug-metabolizing functions, and Kupffer cells are involved in this hepatobiliary dysfunction.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D is a pleiotropic hormone that affects various body organ systems. We evaluated the prevalence of a vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its potential role in the clinical condition of critically ill Korean children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Patients under 18 years old with a 25(OH) vitamin D measurement on the first day of PICU admission were included from among the children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our tertiary children's hospital between October 2017 and January 2019. RESULTS: A total of 172 pediatric patients were enrolled. The mean 25(OH) vitamin D level was 17.5 ± 12.8 ng/mL. There was a 65.1% prevalence of VDD (25(OH) vitamin D level < 20 ng/mL). VDD was associated with age at PICU admission, gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary disorders, International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis disseminated intravascular coagulation (ISTH DIC) score, pediatric multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (pMODS) score and with several laboratory test findings including hemoglobin, platelet, C-reactive protein, serum albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, and anti-thrombin III levels. Most of these parameters also showed significant linear correlations with the 25(OH) vitamin D level (P < 0.05). However, no statistically meaningful association was found between VDD and other clinical conditions such as the need for a mechanical ventilator, requirement for vasoactive drugs, duration of the PICU and hospital stays, or PICU mortality. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of VDD in critically ill Korean children. There were significant associations between the 25(OH) vitamin D level and gastrointestinal/hepatobiliary disorders, the pMODS score and with coagulation related factors. Further large-scale studies with more specific subgroup analyses are required to more precisely assess the clinical implications of VDD in critically ill pediatric patients.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.sup2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2008

We often have difficulties in the diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in children because they are unable to adequately express the characteristics of their pain. With a good understanding of the etiologies of abdominal pain associated with ages, we should create a diagnostic approach based on the location of the pain. First, we must differentiate the surgical abdomen from the non-surgical acute abdomen. Then, we have to identify whether the pain originating from intestinal obstruction, ulcerative diseases, or hepatobiliary dysfunction. It is important to interview and examine the patient serially until the patient completely improves. These attitudes will reduce the patient's pain caused by delayed diagnosis and unavoidable misdiagnosis. Finally, the new insight for the appropriate use of analgesics against acute abdominal pain in children is now needed by the pediatrician.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.262-266
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• 1999

Obstruction of the extrahepatic bile ducts is the most common cause of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in early infancy. More than 90% of such obstructive lesions are accounted for by extrahepatic biliary atresia. A rare lesion is obstruction of the common duct by impacted, thickened secretions and bile. Bile plug syndrome is defined as extrahepatic obstruction of the bile ducts by bile sludge in term infants without anatomic abnormalities, congenital chemical defects of bile, or hepatocellular lesions. Obstruction of extrahepatic ducts by plugs of biliary material apperas to be due to the inspissation and precipitation of bile and mucus within the lumen of the ducts. Cholestasis and precipitation of bile develop in association with abnormal composition of bile in cystic fibrosis, hepatocellular damage, prolonged erythroblastic jaundice, altered biliary dynamics with total parenteral nutrition, gut dysfunction, diuretic therapy, exchange transfusions and perinatal hemolysis. In those cases, the term inspissated bile syndrome is used. The clinical and laboratory findings in bile plug syndrome are identical to those observed in biliary atresia and choledochal cyst. The diagnosis can be suspected based on the findings of clinical and laboratory examinations together with hepatobiliary imaging, ultrasonography, radionuclide scan and liver biopsy. We experienced a case of spontaneous resolution of bile plug syndrome in a 4-year-old girl. We report this case with brief review related literatures.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.344-349
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• 2021

Background: Cancer patients have been disproportionally affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with high rates of severe outcomes and mortality. Fever is the most common symptom in COVID-19 patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians may have difficulty in determining the cause of fever (COVID-19, another infection, or cancer fever) in cancer patients. Furthermore, there are no specific guidelines for managing cancer patients with fever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients with fever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 328 cancer patients with COVID-19 symptoms (fever) admitted to five hospitals in Daegu, Korea from January to October 2020. We obtained data on demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, chest computed tomography images, cancer history, cancer treatment, and outcomes of all enrolled patients from electronic medical records. Results: The most common COVID-19-like symptoms were fever (n=256, 78%). Among 256 patients with fever, only three (1.2%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. Most patients (253, 98.8%) with fever were not diagnosed with COVID-19. The most common solid malignancies were lung cancer (65, 19.8%) and hepatobiliary cancer (61, 18.6%). Twenty patients with fever experienced a delay in receiving cancer treatment. Eighteen patients discontinued active cancer treatment because of fever. Major events during the treatment delay period included death (2.7%), cancer progression (1.5%), and major organ dysfunction (2.7%). Conclusion: Considering that only 0.9% of patients tested for COVID-19 were positive, screening for COVID-19 in cancer patients with fever should be based on the physician's clinical decision, and patients might not be routinely tested.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.270-281
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• 2010

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is necessary to neonates in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for survival and growth because of impossible of enteral feeding. Long-term TPN can be associated with a broad spectrum of hepatobiliary disorder, ranging from mild hepatic dysfunction to severe end-stage liver disease. Cholestasis developed most commonly in neonate, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is widely used in adult with cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver diseases but there have been limited data on the effects in neonate with PNAC. This study was performed retrospectively to review all medical histories of the total 30 neonates with was administrated UDCA for treatment to parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis (PNAC) at Chungbuk National University Hospital NICU from April 2002 to December 2008. UDCA was administrated at bilirubin is over 2 mg/dl. The criterias for drug evaluation were included hepatic biochemical marker such as direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP and GGT, TPN therapy period, cholestasis development period, UDCA treatment period, UDCA dosage and adverse effect. In the results, Post-UDCA treatment significant was decreased direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, AST and ALP (p<0.05), and was decreased GGT (p>0.05) and slightly was increased ALT (p>0.05). Reffective timect biDCA was appear at mean $10.5{\pm}1.3$ days, iDCA administration period was mean $64.4{\pm}5.9$ days, cholestasis period was mean $71.9{\pm}6.4$ days and UDCA dosage was mean $22.9{\pm}0.9$ mg/kg/day. Common adverse effects is diarrhea, 5 patients arised mild diarrhea but it possible also related with increased enteral feeding. In conclusion, iDCA can decrease direct bilirubin that major parameter t bcholestasis and oher hepatic biochemical makers. UDCA is effective on PNAC without any serious side effect and cost-effective. Although no greatly shortening cholestasis period, but can protect to develop into severe liver disease and other complication or death. Based on these result, UDCA is recommended for treatment of cholestasis at direct bilirubin is over 2 mg/dl.