• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.105-106
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• 2018

Korea, which entered the aged society in 2018, is accelerating the progress of the aged society due to the rapid decrease in birth. Although the low birth rate is the important issue, comprehensive measures to cope with the aged society should be established. In particular, the reform of the healthcare system in response to the aged society is very urgent. The reorganization of the healthcare system in response to the aged society should focus on improving the functional abilities of the elderly and should be transformed into integrated older person-centered health service. The benefit package of National Health Insurance should be diversified and appropriate payment of each benefit package should be applied. The ageism should be overcame, and it is important to recognize that the measures for the older person are investments in future society. The reform of healthcare system for older person are very urgent in Korea, which is advancing into a rapidly aged society.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2018

Objective: To evaluate the pregnancy rate and time to pregnancy after timed coitus with or without superovulation in infertile young women younger than 35 years old with low serum $anti-M{\ddot{u}}llerian$ hormone (AMH) levels ( < 25th percentile). Methods: A total of 202 patients younger than 35 years old were recruited retrospectively between 2010 and 2012. Ninety-eight women had normal serum AMH levels (25-75th percentile), 75 women had low serum AMH levels (5th ${\leq}$ & < 25th percentile) and 29 women had very low serum AMH levels ( < 5th percentile), according to reference values for their age group. Results: The clinical pregnancy rate was positively associated with AMH levels, but this trend did not reach statistical significance (43.9% vs. 41.3% vs. 27.6% in the normal, low, and very low AMH groups, respectively). The time to pregnancy was longer in the very low AMH group than in the normal AMH group ($13.1{\pm}10.9months$ vs. $6.9{\pm}6.1months$, p= 0.030). The cumulative live birth rate over 18 months was lower in the very low AMH group than in the normal AMH group, with marginal significance (20.0% vs. 55.9%, p= 0.051). The duration of infertility was negatively correlated with achieving pregnancy (odds ratio, 0.953; 95% confidence interval, 0.914-0.994; p= 0.026). Conclusion: Conservative management, such as timed coitus with or without superovulation, should be considered in young patients who have low ovarian reserve without any infertility factors. However, for women with a long duration of infertility or very low serum AMH levels, active infertility treatment should be considered.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.173-181
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• 1989

The effect of interpregnancy interval on birthweight of the subsequent child was investigated for the 1,347 womens of 25 to 40 years old age who visited OBGY and Pediatric department of the general hospital in Taegu city. Questions in designed questionnaire were asked by student interviewers who were trained in nursing school. Mean birth weight by interpregnancy intervals were compared by the intervals of 6 months. Mean birth weight increased from 3,250 grams for intervals of 6 months to 3,357 grams for intervals of 25-30 months, hut the difference was not statistically significant(=0.47). Correlations between the continuous variables which were suspected as con founders and interpregnancy interval and birth weight were investigated. The coefficient of correlation between maternal age and interpregnancy interval was 0.39, between gestational period and birth weight 0.30 and between prepregnant weight and birth weight 0.16 and between birth weight of first baby and birth weight(of second baby) 0.44. But maternal age, gestational period and prepregnant weight were not considered as confounder, because they were not correlated simultaneously with birth interval and birth weight. Associations between the discrete variables which were suspected as confounders, and interpregnancy interval were investigated by Chi-square test. Associations between interpregnancy interval and educational level of mothers, types of husband's occupation, types of medical security, sex were not significant(P-values were 0.59, 0.75, 0.75, 0.82 respectively), so we did not considered these variables as confounding variables. In multiple regression analysis of birth weight, significant variables were birth weight of first baby, gestational period, sex of neonate and prepregnancy body weight of mother. Of the 1,347 births, the rate of low birth weight was 2% (27 birth). The rate for interpregnancy interval 7-12 months was highest as 3.6% and that for 13-18 months was lowest as 0.6%, but there was no regular tendency related with interpregnancy interval.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.358-364
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• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of $Synagis^{(R)}$ (palivizumab) in reducing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) readmission rate in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI ) and the subgroup that showed the most effective vaccination. Methods : We enrolled 350 VLBWI who had been discharged alive from the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2005 to December 2007 and were followed up for at least one year. A retrospective study based on medical records was performed for a period of one year after discharge. RSV readmission rate was investigated according to BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring oxygen at postnatal day 28) and $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis. We categorized the subgroups by the severity of BPD gestational age, and birth weight and compared the RSV readmission rates between subgroups. Results : Eleven VLBWI were readmitted. $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis resulted in a 86% reduction in the rate of readmission due to RSV infection (prophylaxis group, 0.7% and no prophylaxis group, 5.0%; P =0.02). Readmission rate in BPD patients was also reduced in the prophylaxis group (0.7% in the prophylaxis group vs. 5.2% in the no prophylaxis group, P =0.03). The readmission rate in patients without BPD was reduced in the prophylaxis group (0% in the prophylaxis group vs. 4.9% in the no prophylaxis group, P =1.00), but this was not statistically significant.Conclusion : $Synagis^{(R)}$ prophylaxis was effective at reducing RSV readmission in VLBWI. Its efficacy was verified irrespective of BPD, gestational age, or birth weight.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.142-147
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• 2005

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to investigate the current breast feeding rates in Jeju Province and to identify factors which influence breast feeding duration after birth. Method: The subjects were 189 women with a child between 12 months and 24 months old. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from October 2003 to January 2004. Measures used in this study included general characteristics, delivery related characteristics, breast feeding related characteristics and the feeding type over a 12-month period after birth. Result: The study showed that the breast feeding rate in the first month was 63.1%, later dropping to 30.9% in the sixth month. In addition, only 14.2% of subjects were still breast feeding the baby at twelve months of age. The mean of breast feeding duration was 4.77 months. The factors which influenced breast feeding duration were wanted pregnancy, breast feeding education, planning of breast feeding and breast feeding experience. Conclusion: Considering the low rate of long-term breast feeding, the importance of breast feeding should be emphasized to promote and support the continuation of breast feeding in addition to at its initial stage. Based on the results, programs on breast feeding promotion and continuation need to be developed.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2009

In recent years, reductions in infant mortality have mainly been accomplished by improving the survival of premature and low birth weight infants, however premature infants still remain at great risk. The purpose of this study was to review the maternal child health service related to premature infants and to provide a future direction for improving maternal child health (MCH) in Korea. We reviewed two MCH services which are directly related to premature infants: 1) a registry and financial support program for families with a premature infant, and 2) financial support to build neonatal intensive care units in rural public hospitals. Suggestions are made for the development of a national vital signs record system to identify high risk infants and to monitor the trends in infant mortality due to prematurity. Prevention efforts and preconception care for childbearing women is also an important strategy to reduce the rate of preterm births. Finally, we need consider long-term follow-up plans for premature infants for a successful transit to the special education system. Developing MCH policy related to premature infants that decreases the occurrence of premature may decrease infant mortality, and also improve maternal and child health services.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.363-367
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• 2011

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are regularly used in intensive care units, and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) remains a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, particularly in preterm infants. Increased survival rate of extremely-low-birth-weight infants can be partly attributed to routine practice of CVC placement. The most common types of CVCs used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) include umbilical venous catheters, peripherally inserted central catheters, and tunneled catheters. CRBSI is defined as a laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (BSI) with either a positive catheter tip culture or a positive blood culture drawn from the CVC. BSIs most frequently result from pathogens such as gram-positive cocci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and sometimes gram-negative organisms. CRBSIs are usually associated with several risk factors, including prolonged catheter placement, femoral access, low birth weight, and young gestational age. Most NICUs have a strategy for catheter insertion and maintenance designed to decrease CRBSIs. Specific interventions slightly differ between NICUs, particularly with regard to the types of disinfectants used for hand hygiene and appropriate skin care for the infant. In conclusion, infection rates can be reduced by the application of strict protocols for the placement and maintenance of CVCs and the education of NICU physicians and nurses.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.186-189
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• 2017

On May 9th 2017, the 19th presidential election was held. This election was historically significant because of the impeachment of the former president. This election was held in a relatively short period of time, unlike the normal presidential elections. Therefore, there was not enough time to deliberate pledges for candidates and review pledges for the people. South Korea has suffered from many healthcare problems associated with low-birth rate, population aging, and low economic growth rate. In this paper, we compared the '10 main pledge' of the major five candidates of the 19th presidential election and discussed focusing on the healthcare issue. As a result of comparing the 10 main pledge of the major candidates, it was difficult to find healthcare parts whereas there were lots of welfare parts existed. We need enough time to review and discuss pledges in the next election.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.37-40
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• 2002

Astronauts are constantly exposed to space radiation at a low-dose rate during long-tenn stays in space. Therefore, it is important to determine correctly the biological effects of space radiation on human health. Space radiations contain various kinds of different energy particles, especially high linear energy transfer (LET) particles. Therefore, we have to study the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of space radiation under microgravity environment which may change RBE from a stress for cells. Furthermore, the research about space radiation might give us useful information about birth and evolution of life on the earth. We also can realize the importance of preventing the ozone layer from depletion by use of exposure equipment to sunlight at International Space Station (ISS).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1133-1135
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• 2008

The ultimate goal of the term alteration to pediatrics is that not only infants and children but also adlescents are subjet to pediatrics. At 27, June, 2007 the term pediatrics was altered to pediatrics (children and aoldescent medicine). From now on the roles of pediatricians for adolescents are needed and adolescent medicine should be reorganized in Korea. Although the numbers of children are decreased in the times of low birth rate, the efforts of pediatricians try to enlarge the range of treatment for adolescents are need.