• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of food-specific IgE antibody tests in detecting triggering antigens in food protein-induced proctocolitis (FPIPC). Methods: Between February 2006 and May 2007, data from 16 consecutive FPIPC patients that underwent MAST and Uni-CAP tests on initial visits, were reviewed. The endoscopic criterion used for establishing a diagnosis of FPIPC was an increase in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria (${\geq}60$ per 10 high power fields). Offending foods were suspected clinically based on elimination and challenge testing to mother or patient diets with the following five highly allergenic foods: dairy products, eggs, nuts and soybean, fish and shellfish, and wheat and buckwheat. We compared the results of initial MAST or Uni-CAP tests with clinically suspected offending foods. Results: For the 16 FPIPC patients, MAST tests showed positive results in 2 patients (12.5%), and Uni-CAP tests showed positive results in 3 patients (18.8%). Through clinical elimination and challenge, the 33 offending foods were identified: 7 fish and shellfish (21.2%), 6 eggs (18.2%), 6 wheat and buckwheat (18.2%), 4 dairy products (12.1%), 3 soybean (9.1%), 3 pork (9.1%), 2 nuts (6.1%), 1 beef (3.0%), and 1 mushroom (3.0%). Clinically suspected offending foods and MAST and Uni-CAP test results were found to be correlated in 1 patient (6.7%) each. Conclusion: Food specific IgE antibody tests are inappropriate for predicting offending foods in FPIPC. Clinical food elimination and challenge testing provide useful means of detecting offending foods.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2015

Purpose: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious threat in critically ill pediatric patients. Data regarding Stenotrophomonas maltophilia VAP in pediatric population is limited. We evaluated the clinical data of S. maltophilia associated VAP in critically ill pediatric patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in pediatric patients 18 years old or younger who developed S. maltophilia associated VAP at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul Korea from January 2008 to December 2012. Results: A total of 31 patients were identified S. maltophilia associated VAP. Median age was 8 months (range, 0.5 month to 16.6 years) and 13 patients were male (40.6%). Underlying illnesses were cardiologic diseases (n=11, 34.4%), hematologic oncologic malignancies (n=7, 25%), neurologic diseases (n=4, 12.5%), pulmonary diseases (n=3, 9.4%), and others (n=4, 12.5%). The median duration of ventilator use before S. maltophilia VAP diagnosis was 14 days (range, 4-256 days). Overall mortality at 30 days was 12.5% (4/32). Conclusions: S. maltophilia should be also considered as a possible pathogen for VAP in critically ill pediatric patients. Empiric antibiotic choice should include agents that are active against S. maltophilia in patients who are deteriorating on broad spectrum beta-lactam antimicrobial agents.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2005

Purpose : Relapses are a major problem in children with steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome(SRNS). This study has been performed to determine the predictive factors for relapse in children with SRNS. Methods : The study group consisted of 7,3 children with SRNS who had been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital, over 6 years from 1996 to 2001. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively and analyzed to determine significant relationships between selected variables[age at onset, sex, laboratory data, the rapidity of response(days to remission), interval to first relapse] and the frequency of relapse. Results : The age($mean{\pm}SD$) of patients was $4.53{\pm}2.53$ years old. The male to female ratio was 52:21. In 95$\%$, 39 out of the 41 children had a renal biopsy, and the final diagnosis was minimal change nephrotic syndrome. There was no significant correlation between the frequency of relapse and the following variables age at onset, sex, and presence of hematuria. However, the rapidity of response correlated well with the frequency of relapse, especially during the first year after the onset of the disease(P=0.005). Conclusion : The rapidity of response is expected to be one of the predictive (actors for relapse in children with SRNS. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:167-174)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2009

Purpose : We performed this study to evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL Ab) in Korean children with Henoch-$Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura (HSP). Methods : The medical records of 62 patients (31 boys and 31 girls) aged $46.0{\pm}3.1$ (1-16) years with a clinical diagnosis of HSP based on the EULAR/PReS criteria were reviewed retrospectively. From the years 2007 to 2009, the sera from children with acute HSP were tested for aPL Ab such as LA, anti-cardiolipin antibody and anti-${\beta}_2$ glycoprotein I antibody. Results : LA was positive in 18 (29%) of the 62 patients with HSP and We divided the patients into the two groups LA positive group (N=18) and LA negative group (N=44). There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to abdominal pain, arthralgia and renal involvement, but LA positive group had significantly higher C-reactive protein ($4.3{\pm}7.2$ mg/dL vs. $1.3{\pm}1.8$ mg/dL, P=0.035), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ($37.5{\pm}26.2$ mm/hr vs. $25.1{\pm}22.6$ mm/hr, P= 0.039), IgM ($148.1{\pm}48.4$ mg/dL vs. $114.9{\pm}41.5$ mg/dL, P=0.024), C3 ($143.1{\pm}21.9$ mg/dL vs. $129.7{\pm}24.5$ mg/dL, P=0.048) and C4 levels ($30.9{\pm}6.3$ mg/dL vs. $24.9{\pm}7.8$ mg/dL, P=0.002) compared with LA negative group. Conclusion : We found that the incidence of positive aPL Ab tests was relatively higher in Korean children with HSP and the presence of aPL Ab was associated with acute inflammatory process of HSP. These results suggest that the aPL Ab are involved in the pathogenesis of HSP in children.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate clinical results of a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis. Materials and Methods: Between Jan and Dec 2009, fifteen patients (5 male, 10 female) received a diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow and were evaluated in this study. Their average age was 43.5 years. All patients were initially given a variety of non-surgical treatments for more than 1year. All patients were considering surgery. These patients were given a single percutaneous injection of 3cc of platelet-rich plasma. To assess pain, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and during work & the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score. We compared the score before treatment with scores 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. Results: Average VAS scores at rest improved from 4.6 before treatment to 2.5 at week 4, and 1.8 at week 12. The average VAS score while working also improved from 7.8 before treatment to 6.2 at week 4, and 4.25 at week 12. The average PRTEE score improved from 60.13 before treatment to 46.12 at week 4 and 24.6 at week 12. Conclusion: Treatment using a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis appears to be an effective treatment modality. Platelet-rich plasma should be considered before surgical intervention.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.868-874
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• 2007

Purpose : We performed this study to investigate the perinatal and developmental features of the patients with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) confirmed by the molecular genetic method and the clinical characteristics of their mother, and to identify the relation between the number of CTG repeats and the clinical severity.Methods : A retrospective review of the medical records and the results of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene test was done for the patients who were confirmed as CDM through gene analysis from January 2001 to September 2006. Results : All of the eight patients (male 2, female 6) showed moderate to severe degree of perinatal distress and feeding difficulty associated with profound hypotonia. Three patients had the history of polyhydramnios and two patients had equinovarus deformity. The developmental milestones were delayed in all patients, which improved gradually with age. All of their mothers demonstrated myotonic symptoms and typical myopathic face. The number of CTG repeats in DMPK gene analysis ranged 1,000-2,083, and there was no significant correlation between the number of CTG repeats and the time of walking alone. Conclusion : All patients with CDM presented with severe hypotonia in perinatal period, and developmental delay thereafter, which were improved with age. All of their mothers manifested myotonic symptoms with typical myopathic face, and the identification of such features greatly contributed to the diagnosis of the patients. The number of CTG repeats had no significant influence on the motor development.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.891-895
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• 2007

Purpose : Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and mostly develops after viral illness or vaccinations. We investigated the clinical differences and neurologic outcomes according to the distribution of the lesions on brain MRI. Methods : The study group was composed of 21 patients from January 1995 to August 2003 in Kyunghee University hospital. We grouped the patients according to the MRI findings as follows. Group I (14 cases): Multi- or unifocal lesions only in the cerebral white matter. Group II (7 cases): lesions in the gray matter with or without white matter involvement. Results : 1. Preceding events were as follows: no defined prodrome (38.1%), upper respiratory tract infection (28.6%), nonspecific febrile illness (19.0%), gastointestinal disturbance and vaccination. 2. Presenting symptoms were as follows: seizures (76.2%), headache/vomiting (47.6%), altered consciousness (38.1%), hemiparesis, cerebellar ataxia, visual disturbance and facial nerve palsy. 3. Laboratory findings were as follows: CSF pleocytosis (76.2%), leucocytosis (38.1%) and elevated CSF protein (28.6%). 4. Fifteen patients were recovered completely without neurological sequelae. Three patients in group I and 1 patient in group II had intractable seizures. Two patients in group I and 2 patients in group II had motor disturbance. Conclusion : There were no statistically significant differences in preceding events, presenting symptoms, and neurological outcomes according to the distribution of the lesions on brain MRI. However, the ADEM have quite diverse clinical manifestations and neuroimage findings. MRI plays an important role in making diagnosis of the patients who are suspected of ADEM.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.875-881
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• 2007

Purpose : Chromosome analysis is important in genetic study and genetic counseling. This study was performed to evaluate the type and incidence of chromosome abnormalities in a single hospital for 25 years. Methods : Chromosome analyses were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes, obtained from 4,856 patients with suspected chromosomal aberrations, referred to cytogenetic laboratory in Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from May 1981 to October 2005. Results : We analyzed 4,567 cases. Children were 3,014 cases (66.0%) and adult were 1,553 cases (34.0 %). The most common purpose of the chromosomal analysis was growth and developmental abnormality in children and infertility in adults. Total chromosomal aberration rate was 16.9% (770/4,567). Among those cases, the numerical abnormalities were 12.2% (558 cases), the structural abnormalities were 4.1% (187 cases), and others were 0.5% (25 cases). The relative frequencies of autosomal abnormalities were 6.4% (294 cases) in Down syndrome; 0.2% (7 cases) in Edwards syndrome; 0.1% (4 cases) in Patau syndrome; 0.2% (10 cases) in other abnormalities, of sex chromosome, 2.9% (131 cases) in Klinefelter syndrome; 2.2% (99 cases) in Turner syndrome; 0.2% (8 cases) in 47, XXX; 0.1% (3 cases) in 47, XYY. Among the structural abnormalities, translocation was 1.8% (84 cases), inversion was 0.8% (37 cases), deletion was 0.4% (17 cases), and insertion was 0.3% (13 cases), in order of frequency. Conclusion : In this study, the type, incidence and distribution of cytogenetic abnormalities by karyotype were reviewed. We hope that our study could be used as a basic information on the diagnosis, treatment and genetic counseling for chromosome abnormalities in Korea.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.68-76
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• 1993

Pregnancy induced hypertension is multifaceted syndrome with variable involvement of several key organ systems, so sensitive and specific laboratory tests for predicting severity and prognosis, and early diagnosis of this disease are required. Because heme catabolism results in equimolar production of carboxyhemoglobin, iron and bilirubin, a concomittant rise of these parameters would provide confirmation of increased heme catabolism. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia may occurs in severe preeclampsia, but it is not known whether increased red cell turnover occurs with mild preeclampsia as complication. The purpose of this study was to confirm that increased heme catabolism also occurs in patients with mild preeclampsia. The analysis of data was done on 23 cases with mild preeclampsia and 35 normal pregnant women, who were admitted to Yeungnam University Hospital from October 1992 to March 1993. The results were as follows. 1. The mean antepartum serum iron concentration was significantly higher in the group with mild preeclampsia($86.5{\pm}6.1{\mu}g/dl$) than in the controls($53.2{\pm}5.3{\mu}g/dl$). 2. The mean antepartum and postpartum carboxyhemoglobin concentrations were significantly higher in the group with mild preeclampsia(antepartum : $2.55{\pm}0.42{\mu}g/dl$, postpartum : $1.21{\pm}0.4{\mu}g/dl$) than the controls(antepartum : $0.61{\pm}0.2{\mu}g/dl$, postpartum $0.53{\pm}0.2{\mu}g/dl$) 3. During postpartum, carboxyhemoglobin concentration in preeclampsia reduced significantly from antepartum level, but, there was no difference between antepartum and postpartum carboxyhemoglobin concentrations among controls. 4. Bilirubin concentrations were similar in both groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.410-416
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• 2006

Purpose : Ciliary abnormalities of the respiratory system usually accompany recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases such as paranasal sinusitis, bronchiectasis, rhinitis, and/or otitis media, since they cause certain derangements in ciliary cleaning activities. This disease is usually inherited by autosomal recessive trait, but may also be found to be acquired or transient in rare cases after heavy exposure to pollutants, cigarette smoking or severe infection. We performed this study in children with frequently recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases to clarify if the ciliary abnormalities are preceding factors. Methods : We enrolled 17 children with suspected respiratory ciliary abnormalities. The indications for evaluation of ciliary ultrastructure were recurrent or persistent respiratory infections. Children with immunologic abnormalities were excluded. From August 2000 to July 2003, we performed a biopsy on nasal mucosa and examined the structure of ciliary status by using an electron microscope. Results : Of the subjects, there were seven males and 10 females, aged 2 to 10 years. Out of the 17 subjects, 12 cases of chronic paranasal sinusitis, nine chronic coughs, nine frequent upper respiratory infections, seven cases of recurrent otitis media, four cases of recurrent pneumonia, and four cases of bronchial asthma were found. Out of the 17 cases on which histologic examinations were conducted, four cases showed pathologic findings, including one case of inner dynein arm defect, one of microtubular transposition, one of supernumerous tubules, and one singlet, respectively. Conclusion : It is essential for differential diagnosis and effective treatment to identify the abnormalities of ultrastructure of nasal cilia in children with symptoms of frequently recurrent or persistent respiratory diseases, if immunodeficiency or respiratory allergy could be excluded.