• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.42-47
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• 2012

$Mycoplasma$ $pneumoniae$ (MP), the smallest self-replicating biological system, is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, leading to a wide range of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations. MP pneumonia has been reported in 10 to 40% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia and shows an even higher proportion during epidemics. MP infection is endemic in larger communities of the world with cyclic epidemics every 3 to 7 years. In Korea, 3 to 4-year cycles have been observed from the mid-1980s to present. Although a variety of serologic assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are available for the diagnosis of MP infections, early diagnosis of MP pneumonia is limited by the lack of immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies and variable PCR results in the early stages of the infection. Thus, short-term paired IgM serologic tests may be mandatory for an early and definitive diagnosis. MP infection is usually a mild and self-limiting disease without specific treatment, and if needed, macrolides are generally used as a first-choice drug for children. Recently, macrolide-resistant MP strains have been reported worldwide. However, there are few reports of apparent treatment failure, such as progression of pneumonia to acute respiratory distress syndrome despite macrolide treatment. The immunopathogenesis of MP pneumonia is believed to be a hyperimmune reaction of the host to the insults from MP infection, including cytokine overproduction and immune cell activation (T cells). In this context, immunomodulatory treatment (corticosteroids or/and intravenous Ig), in addition to antibiotic treatment, might be considered for patients with severe infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제65권4호
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• pp.153-166
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• 2022

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a novel multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported worldwide since the first cases were reported in Europe in April 2020. MIS-C is temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and shows Kawasaki disease (KD)-like features. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics in COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C differ, but severe cases of each disease share similar clinical and laboratory findings such as a protracted clinical course, multiorgan involvement, and similar activated biomarkers. These findings suggest that a common control system of the host may act against severe disease insult. To solve the enigmas, we proposed the protein-homeostasis-system hypothesis in that every disease involves etiological substances and the host's immune system controls them by their size and biochemical properties. Also, it is proposed that the etiological agents of KD and MIS-C might be certain strains in the microbiota of human species and etiological substances in severe COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C originate from pathogen-infected cells. Since disease severity depends on the amounts of inflammation-inducing substances and corresponding immune activation in the early stage of the disease, an early proper dose of corticosteroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may help reduce morbidity and possibly mortality among patients with these diseases. Corticosteroids are low cost and an analogue of host-origin cortisol among immune modulators. This study's findings will help clinicians treating severe COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C, especially in developing countries, where IVIG and biologics supplies are insufficient.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제45권12호
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• pp.1571-1576
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• 2002

목 적: 최근 들어 가와사끼병 치료에서 고전적인 치료(정맥 내 감마 글로불린+아스피린) 이외에 과거에 금기시 되었던 스테로이드 병용 요법의 다양한 임상적 결과가 보고되고 있어 가와사끼병 고위험군(Harada score 4점 이상)에서 스테로이드 추가 요법의 임상적 효과를 평가 하고자 하였다. 방 법: 1996년부터 2001년까지 충남대학교병원에서 가와사끼병으로 진단된 96명을 대상으로 급성기의 치료 방법에 따라 3군으로 나누어 비교하였다. 가와사끼병 급성기에 A군은 아스피린(100 mg/kg/day)과 정맥내 감마 글로불린 2 g/kg 1회; B군은 아스피린(100 mg/kg/day)과 정맥내 감마 글로불린 1 g/kg 1회; C군은 B군에 prednisolone(2 mg/kg/day)을 추가 하였고 2주간에 걸쳐 점차 용량을 감소하여 중단하였으며, 재치료시에는 methyl-prednisolone 대용량 요법을 사용하였다. 모든 군에서 급성기 이후 8주간 저용량 아스피린을 사용하였다. 임상적, 심혈관계, 및 혈액학적 평가는 급성기, 급성기 직후, 및 아급성기인 치료 8주 후 시행하였다. 결 과 : 관상 동맥 이상 빈도와 혈액학적 이상 정도는 세 치료군에 유의한 차이는 없었으나 치료 후 해열까지의 기간 및 재치료율에 있어서는 스테로이드 추가 요법 군에서 유의한 감소를 보였다. 결 론 : 스테로이드 추가 요법은 IVGG 단일요법과 비교해 볼 때 관상동맥 질환의 발생, 입원기간 등에서 동등한 치료 효과를 보이며, 해열기간, 재치료율 등에 유의한 감소를 보여 가와사끼병 고위험군에 대한 일차적인 치료법으로 고려될 수 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권8호
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• pp.328-334
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• 2016

Purpose: Although a significant number of reports on new therapeutic options for refractory Kawasaki disease (KD) such as steroid, infliximab, or repeated intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are available, their effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) remains controversial. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of patients with refractory KD and to assess the effects of adjuvant therapy on patient outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 38 refractory KD patients from January 2012 to March 2015. We divided these patients into 2 groups: group 1 received more than 3 IVIG administration+steroid therapy, (n=7, 18.4%), and group 2 patients were unresponsive to initial IVIG and required steroid therapy or second IVIG (n=31, 81.6%). We compared the clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings between the groups and examined the clinical utility of additional therapies in both groups. Results: A significant difference was found in the total duration of fever between the groups ($13.0{\pm}4.04days$ in group 1 vs. $8.87{\pm}2.30days$ in group 2; P=0.035). At the end of the follow-up, all cases in group 1 showed suppressed CAL. In group 2, coronary artery aneurysm occurred in 2 patients (6.4%). All the patients treated with intravenous corticosteroids without additional IVIG developed CALs including coronary artery aneurysms. Conclusion: No statistical difference was found in the development of CAL between the groups. Prospective, randomized, clinical studies are needed to elucidate the effects of adjunctive therapy in refractory KD patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권11호
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• pp.1228-1231
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• 2008

반코마이신 투여 후에 발생하는 약물 과민성 증후군은 아주 드물게 보고되고 있다. 저자들은 11세 여자 환아에서 감염성 심내막염에 대한 치료로 반코마이신을 투여한 후 18일째부터 발열, 반구진성 발진이 관찰되어, 반코마이신 투여 중단 및 코르티코스테로이드를 투여한 지 24시간 이내에 임상 증상의 호전을 보인 약물 과민성 증후군 1예를 경험하였다. 본 증례의 환아에서는 발열, 반구진성 발진, 간염, 급성 신부전 등이 약물 과민성 증후군의 증상으로 관찰되었다.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.94-97
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• 2006

Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE) is a rare disorder with acute ophthalmoparesis, ataxia, consciousness disturbance, and pyramidal signs of suspected autoimmune origin. A-62-year-old woman developed acute diplopia, dysarthria, gaze-paretic nystagmus and gait ataxia. Her mental status fell subsequently into stupor. Brain MRI and nerve conduction study showed no significantly abnormal findings. Electroencephalography revealed diffuse low voltage slowings. After treating with intravenous immunoglobulin, she demonstrated rapid clinical recovery. This case suggests that immunoglobulin can be an alternative option in BBE treatment, especially when plasmapheresis and corticosteroids are difficult or contraindicated.

• 대한치과마취과학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.121-126
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• 2006

Generalized anaphylaxis is a most dramatic and acutely life-threatening allergic reaction. Most fatalities from anaphylaxis occur within the first 30 minutes postantigenic exposure. The mechanism of generalized anaphylaxis is the reaction of IgE antibodies to an allergen that causes the release of histamine, bradykinin, and others. These chemical mediators cause the contraction of smooth muscles of the respiratory and intestinal tracts, as well as increased vascular permeability. Four major clinical symptoms are recognized: skin reactions, smooth muscle spasm (gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and respiratory smooth muscle), respiratory distress, and cardiovascular collapse. Epinephrine is the drug of choice for the management. Its syrnpathomimetic effects directly counteract most aspects of the attack. Respiration must be immediately supported by the establishment of a patent airway along with artificial ventilation. The circulation should be supported and the existing hypotension overcome by placing the victim in a position to allow gravity to aid venous return and by administering intravenous fluids, vasopressors, and corticosteroids. When an imperceptible pulse is evident, external cardiac compression must also be instituted. This is a case report of anaphylactic shock care during general anesthesia, possibly due to penicillin, pancuronium and others.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권10호
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• pp.332-337
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• 2018

Purpose: Bell's palsy is characterized by sudden onset of unilateral facial weakness. The use of corticosteroids for childhood Bell's palsy is controversial. This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics, etiology, and laboratory findings in childhood Bell's palsy, and to evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of children under 19 years of age treated for Bell's palsy between January 2009 and June 2017, and followed up for over 1 month. Clinical characteristics, neuroimaging data, laboratory findings, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed. Patients with Bell's palsy were divided into groups with (group 1) and without (group 2) corticosteroid treatment. Differences in onset age, sex, laterality, infection and vaccination history, degree of facial nerve palsy, and prognosis after treatment between the groups were analyzed. Results: One hundred patients were included. Mean age at presentation was $7.4{\pm}5.62years$. A total of 73 patients (73%) received corticosteroids with or without intravenous antiviral agents, and 27 (27%) received only supportive treatment. There was no significant difference in the severity, laboratory findings, or neuroimaging findings between the groups. Significant improvement was observed in 68 (93.2%) and 26 patients (96.3%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively; this rate was not significantly different between the groups (P=0.48). Conclusion: Childhood Bell's palsy showed good prognosis with or without corticosteroid treatment; there was no difference in prognosis between treated and untreated groups. Steroid therapy in childhood Bell's palsy may not significantly improve outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제52권9호
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• pp.1029-1034
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• 2009

가와사끼병은 주로 소아기에 발생하는 급성 전신 혈관염으로, 원인은 아직 명확히 알려져 있지 않다. EBV는 전염성 단핵구증의 원인으로 잘 알려져 있으며, 또한 가와사키병의 원인으로도 보고된 바 있다. 가와사끼병으로 인한 합병증은 관상동맥류를 포함한 심혈관계 합병증이 주를 이루지만, 다양한 종류의 합병증들이 보고 되고 있다. 저자들은 EBV 감염과 연관된 전염성 단핵구증, 거대 관상동맥류, 심낭삼출, 비경색증이 동반된 난치성 가와사끼병 환자 1예를 경험하였기에 보고하는 바이다. 환자는 3번의 면역글로불린 치료에도 반응이 없었지만, pulse methylprednisolone 치료 후에 임상 증상은 급격히 호전되었고, 거대 관상동맥류만 지금까지 지속되고 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제64권2호
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• pp.68-75
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• 2021

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been spreading worldwide since December 2019. Hundreds of cases of children and adolescents with Kawasaki disease (KD)-like hyperinflammatory illness have been reported in Europe and the United States during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic with or without shock and cardiac dysfunction. These patients tested positive for the polymerase chain reaction or antibody test for SARS-CoV-2 or had a history of recent exposure to COVID-19. Clinicians managing such patients coined new terms for this new illness, such as COVID-19-associated hyperinflammatory response syndrome, pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19, or COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The pathogenesis of MIS-C is unclear; however, it appears similar to that of cytokine storm syndrome. MIS-C shows clinical features similar to KD, but differences between them exist with respect to age, sex, and racial distributions and proportions of patients with shock or cardiac dysfunction. Recommended treatments for MIS-C include intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroids, and inotropic or vasopressor support. For refractory patients, monoclonal antibody to interleukin-6 receptor (tocilizumab), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra), or monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor (infliximab) may be recommended. Patients with coronary aneurysms require aspirin or anticoagulant therapy. The prognosis of MIS-C seemed favorable without sequelae in most patients despite a reported mortality rate of approximately 1.5%.