• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.865-878
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• 1999

With advances in neonatal medicine, smaller and sicker infants are surviving premature birth. As these tiny patients battle for their lives, their parents also struggle with psychological consequences of an unexpected role. The birth of a sick infants has long been documented as stressful events for the parents. High stress levels may alter parents' interaction with their baby and impair their communication with health professionals, which can in turn affect parents' participation in care planning and decision making. Nursing interventions aimed at reducing the parental stress and anxiety levels during this crisis may have a positive impact on their ability to form an attatchment to their baby and make prudent decisions about his care. The planning of such interventions would be inhanced if the contributions of various factors to increased parental stress levels were identified. This descriptive study was conducted to understand the contents and degree of parental stress in the NICU during their premature's hospitalization, and to give a baseline data in developing nursing intervention program. Subjects were the 60 mother of hospitalized newborn in NICU of 2 University Hospital in Taejon City from April 1st, 1999 to June 30th, 1999, who agreed to take part in this study. The instrument used in this study were Parental Stressor Scales:NICU(PSS:NICU) developed by Miles et al.. and validated by 3 NICU practitioners and 3 child health nursing faculties. The questionnaire has 4 dimensions and 45 items; sight and sounds of NICU(5 items), babies' appearance and behavior nursing intervention(19 items), parental role alteration and relationship with their baby(10 items), health team communication(11 items). The questionnaire asks parents to rate each item on a five-point Likert type scale that ranges from "not stressful" (1) to "extremely stressfu1"(5). Total scores representing overall stress from the NICU environment are calculated by summing response to each item. A high score indicates high stress. A subscale score is calculated by summing the responses to each item in the subscale. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ coefficients were .93. The data was analyzed as average, Frequency, Standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient by use of SPSS/PC+. The results of this study is summarized as follows ; 1. The total perceived stress level score of mothers of premature baby was slightly high($3.66{\pm}1.1$). The highest scored dimension was 'relationship with their baby and parental role change'($4.21{\pm}0.9$), and next were 'appearance and behavior of the baby'($3.92{\pm}1.1$), 'communication with health team'($3.32{\pm}1.3$), 'sight and sounds of NICU'($3.30{\pm}1.1$). 2. There were statistically significant correlation noted ; mother's perceived severity of the baby's condition(F=8.0012, P= .0125) and baby's gestational age(r = -.4724, P = .0500). In summary, information about physical environment of NICU, the mother's perceived severity of premature baby's state, maternal role change related variables and the knowledge of characteristics of premature baby must be included in nursing intervention program of mother's of premature baby in reducing the parental stress and anxiety level. It is suggested that each NICU needs to develop a nurse managed supportive care program for parents of premature baby. Also, it is suggested that there need to investigate the coping mechanism of mother of premature baby.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.123-133
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI) who were born at the Asan Medical Center and evaluate the recent status of neonatal intensive care and associated problems. Methods:We retrospectively evaluated 120 inborn ELBWI who were admitted to the NICU of the Asan Medical Center between 2003 and 2006. The survival rate, neurodevelopmental outcomes, maternal and infant factors, and infant mordibities were evaluated and the relationships with survival and catch-up growth were investigated. Results:The survival rate of the ELBWI was 82% at a mean gestational age of 27+2 weeks, and with a mean birth weight of 801.3${\pm}$129.0 g. The duration of hospitalization was 85.7${\pm}$27.2 days, the duration of O2 use was 43.9${\pm}$35.4 days, and the duration of ventilatory support was 20.9${\pm}$20.9 days among the survivors. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia were 41.8%, 61.2%, 3%, and 4%, respectively. The mean mental developmental index and psychomotor development index of Bailey Scales of Infant Development (II) at follow-up were 83.4${\pm}$18.2 and 83.3${\pm}$20.3, respectively. Among the infants who had >18 months of follow-up, 50.8% had catch-up growth at 12 months. Conclusion:The survival rate of ELBWI has improved; however, the morbidities remain high, thus indicating further efforts must be implemented to reduce morbidity and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.11
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• pp.433-437
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• 2020

Background: Indonesia is one of the countries with the highest preterm birth rate. Preterm infants are more likely than term and normal weight infants to experience neonatal mortality and morbidity due to acute respiratory, gastrointestinal, immunologic, central nervous system, hearing, and vision problems. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a proven cost-effective intervention to help reduce mortality rates among preterm infants; however, it has not been fully implemented in hospitals. Purpose: Assess KMC knowledge and perceptions among health providers. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from December 2015 to April 2016 and consisted of 21 in-depth interviews and 3 focus group discussions (FGDs). The 3 categories of health personnel in the study were clinical providers, hospital management representatives, and Indonesian Midwife Association members. Results: Most health providers know about the benefits of KMC including stabilizing temperatures, weight gain, and maternal-infant bonding and reducing human resources and labor costs. They were also aware of which newborns were eligible for KMC treatment. Their knowledge was mostly gained from observation or obtained from pediatricians and personal experience. They believed that a low birth weight infant in an incubator could not be treated with KMC and that it could only be practiced if a special gown was used when holding the baby. This perception could be caused by a lack of formal KMC training, leading to misunderstanding of its aspects. Conclusion: In conclusion, KMC knowledge of clinical providers in the 2 hospitals was sufficient, primarily due to their health-related educational background. Some perceptions could be potential barriers to or facilitate the implementation of KMC practice. These perceptions should be considered in future KMC training designs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.228-238
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• 2023

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a serious concern for preterm infants and can predispose such infants to brain injury and poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. IVH is particularly common in preterm infants. Although advances in obstetric management and neonatal care have led to a lower mortality rate for preterm infants with IVH, the IVH-related morbidity rate in this population remains high. Therefore, the present review investigated the pathophysiology of IVH and the evidence related to interventions for prevention. The analysis of the pathophysiology of IVH was conducted with a focus on the factors associated with cerebral hemodynamics, vulnerabilities in the structure of cerebral vessels, and host or genetic predisposing factors. The findings presented in the literature indicate that fluctuations in cerebral blood flow, the presence of hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and impaired cerebral venous drainage; a vulnerable or fragile capillary network; and a genetic variant associated with a mechanism underlying IVH development may lead to preterm infants developing IVH. Therefore, strategies focused on antenatal management, such as routine corticosteroid administration and magnesium sulfate use; perinatal management, such as maternal transfer to a specialized center; and postnatal management, including pharmacological agent administration and circulatory management involving prevention of extreme blood pressure, hemodynamic significant patent ductus arteriosus management, and optimization of cardiac function, can lower the likelihood of IVH development in preterm infants. Incorporating neuroprotective care bundles into routine care for such infants may also reduce the likelihood of IVH development. The findings regarding the pathogenesis of IVH further indicate that cerebrovascular status and systemic hemodynamic changes must be analyzed and monitored in preterm infants and that individualized management strategies must be developed with consideration of the risk factors for and physiological status of each preterm infant.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare birth outcomes between Korean women and immigrant women. Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively from 201 immigrant women and 201 Korean women who delivered babies at K women's hospital in U city from January 2006 to December 2009. Maternal outcomes related factors included nationality, age, obstetric history, delivery type, indications of cesarean section, and complications of pregnancy and delivery. Principal neonatal outcomes were birth weight, Apgar scores, and complications of newborns. Results: Immigrant women were younger and had fewer pregnancies, abortions, and surviving children than Korean women. The rate of primary cesarean section and its indication in immigrant women were not significantly different from Korean women. However, immigrant women's newborn were more likely to have low birth weight and meconium staining. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate less equity of immigrant women in women's health care, although immigrant women's babies had lower Apgar score and more meconium staining. Nurses should help immigrant women cope with labor process effectively to prevent adverse health outcomes for their newborns.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.334-337
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors associated with the development of germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GM-IVH) and the relationship of the severity of disease and prematurity. Methods : A total of 168 premature neonates whose birth weight ${\leq}1500g$ or gestational age ${\leq}34$ weeks were examined by cranial ultrasound (CUS) for detection of GM-IVH among the babies admitted between January 2011 and December 2012 in our medical center neonatal intensive care unit. The babies were divided into two groups : GM-IVH and non-IVH. Clinical presentations, precipitating factors of the patients and maternal factors were analyzed. Results : In univariate analysis, gestational age, birth weight, delivery method, presence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM) and level of sodium and glucose were statistically meaningful factors (p<0.05). But only two factors, gestational age and presence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) were statistically meaningful in multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05). Delivery method [normal vaginal delivery (NVD) to Caeserean section] was borderline significant (p<0.10). Conclusion : Presence of PDA and gestational age were the important risk factors associated with development of GM-IVH.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.5-24
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to develop a parenting intervention program and determine the efficacy of the program with low-birth weight infants and their mothers. Nine dyads for the experimental group and twelve dyads for the control group discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital in Seoul were recruited for the study. For the intervention group, programmed education and support which focused on the maternal sensitivity of the infant's behavior. rearing environment. motherinfant interaction and infant care were given to each subject. Individual counseling and home visits were provided at discharge, one week after discharge. and one and three months of corrected age in every infant. Structured questionaires were administered and feeding interactions were videotaped and coded by a blinded certified observer. A Quasi-experimental design was conducted for this study. Postpartum depression, maternal self esteem. infant care burden, HOME. mother-infant interaction, and infant development were measured. Results were in favor of the intervention versus the control group. On the Beck depression inventory, intervention mothers showed decreasing trends in depressive symptom vs control mothers although, there were statistically no significant differences between the two groups at each time. The mean score of experimental group was 11.55(mild depression state) at discharge and became 8,6(normal state) at 1 month of corrected age. On the other hand, the mean score of the control group was 13.92(mild depression state) at discharge and became 14.0. Maternal self esteem in both groups improved over time. Infant care burden in both groups was also shown to increase over time. There was a significant difference between the two groups in HOME(p=.0340) at 3 months of corrected age. HOME scores of the experimental group and the control's were 31.10 and 25.58, respectively. Mothers' emotional and language responses were significantly high in the intervention group compared with the control group(p=.0155). Intervention group (53.33) showed a significantly high quality of motherinfant interaction compared with the in control group (42.80)(p =.0340). Intervention group mothers appeared have a better quality of mother-infant interaction behaviors. On the other hand, there was no statistical difference in the infant part between groups. Intervention group infants had higher trends in a general developmental quotient: although, there was no statistical difference between groups. The general developmental quotient of intervention infants was 102.56 and control's was 91.28. However, the developmental quotient of the domain of 'individuality-sociality' was higher in the intervention group infants compared with the control's(p=.0155). The concerns identified by parents revealed two domains of an infants' health management -knowledge and skills in caregiving of lowbirthweight-infants, characteristics of lowbirthweight infants, identifying a developmental milestone, coping with emergency situations and relaxation strategies of mothers from the infant care burden. Interview data with the mothers of low-birth weight infants can be used to develop intervention program contents. Limited intervention time and frequency due to time and cost limitations of this study should be modified. The intervention should be continuously implemented when low-birth weight infants become three years old. An NNNS demonstration appeared to be a very effective intervention for the mothers to improve the quality of mother-infant interactions. Therefore intervening in the mothers of low-birth weight infants as early after delivery as possible is desirable. This study has shown that home visit interventions are worthwhile for mothers only beyond the approach as an essential factor in ability of facilitating a growth fostering environment. In conclusion. the intervention program of this study was very effective in enhancing the parenting for the mothers of low-birth weight infants, resulting in health promotion of low-birth weight infants. The home-visit outreach intervention program of this study will contribute to the health delivery system in this country where there is a lack of continuous follow-up programs for low-birth weight infants after discharge from NICU, if it is activated as part of the home visit programs in community health systems.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-148
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• 1998

Accurate vital statistics are essential for a national health planning and evaluation. Among various vital statistics, birth and death rates, and infant and matemal mortality rates together with the causes of death are the very basic ones for above purposes as well as for the maternal and child health management. These statistics are based on the birth and death reports. It is required by law to report every birth and death within one month after its occurrence. However, in case of a neonatal death occurring prior to the birth report, most of the birth and death are not reported. Thus accurate infant and maternal mortality rates are not available yet in Korea. The main objective of this study is to develop a birth and infant death reporting system via computer network. We designed a new birth report form based on the current form and data from the analysis of medical record forms of 14 hospitals. A new form is basically addition of essential medical information to the current birth report form. Since a revision of the rules and regulations related wtih the birth report is necessary to use a new form, we kept the current from intact to make it acceptable to the government office for a field trial. We also developed computer programs for data input for birth and death reports at a medical faciltiy, data processing for production of maternal and child health indices at a health center, and management of maternal and child health services including immunization and postantal care at health center. The birth certificate and birth report can be printed out at a medical facility. The computer packages were programmed by Borland Delphi 3.0 and can be run under Windows 95 system. We proposed a new birth and death reporting system via computer network after a field trial for data input, transmission, and processing. The medical and demographic data o birth and death at medical facilities will be sent to health centers directly via computer network. The health center will retain the medical data for analysis and forward only the data for birth and death reports required by current regulations to the Dong, Up, or Myun Office. Once the birth or death is reported via computer network to the Dong Office, then the Dong Office will notify the baby's mother of the birth report and request to submit the baby's name by mail. When the baby's name its submitted. the Dong Office will forward the birth reports to the Common Court and Statistics Agency in the same way as the current system, Upon the completion of birth registration of the Common Court, the court will issue the birth certificate to mother which will be used in lieu of the family record. The advantages of proposed birth and death reporting system via computer network ar as follows ; I) The accuracy, timing, and completeness of reporting will be improved and more accurate maternal and child health indices can be obtained, ii) The maternal and child health services of health center will be obtained, iii) Epidemiologic data for pregnancy and birth can be obtained, iv) Manpower for birth and death reporting will be saved.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2008

Purpose : This study determined the prenatal and postnatal factors associated with complications and prognosis in premature infants with leukemoid reaction. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of premature infants with gestational ages <37 weeks and low birth weights (<2,500 g) who were admitted immediately after birth to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital between June 2005 and July 2006. A leukemoid reaction was defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >30,000/$mm^3$. The infants who had leukemoid reaction comprised the study group, while the remainder of infants made up the control group. The relationships between maternal and neonatal variables and ANC were studied. Results : Leukemoid reaction was detected in 3.1% of the study infants (8 of 252). Factors more frequently associated with infants with leukemoid reaction were as follows: maternal chorioamnionitis, high levels of maternal and infant C-reactive protein, gestational age <37 weeks, birth weight <2,500 g, low Apgar score, prolonged ventilator support, and a high incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, there were no significant differences with respect to the antenatal usage of steroids, the incidences of patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusion : Leukemoid reaction in premature infants was associated with chorioamnionitis and high levels of serum C-reactive protein in mothers and infants, and BPD in infants. These findings suggest that leukemoid reaction is secondary to inflammation caused by infection.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2021

Purpose: Antibiotic exposure during pregnancy may affect the fetus and newborn in many ways. This study investigated the impact of prenatal antibiotic exposure duration on neonatal outcomes in very preterm (VP) or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: From September 2015 to December 2020, preterm infants with gestational age less than 32 weeks or with a BW less than 1,500 g who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and their mothers were enrolled. Prenatal antibiotic exposure was defined as antibiotics received by mothers before delivery, and the patients were categorized into the non-antibiotic group, short-duration (SD; ≤7 days) group, or long-duration (LD; >7 days) groups. Results: A total of 93 of 145 infants were exposed to prenatal antibiotics, among which 35 (37.6%) were in the SD group and 58 (62.4%) were in the LD group. Infants in the LD group had a significantly higher birth weight-for-gestational-age (BW/GA) Z-score than those in the non-antibiotic group, even after the adjustment for confounding factors (beta, 0.258; standard error, 0.149; P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that prolonged prenatal antibiotic exposure was independently associated with death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.926; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.482-53.775) and composite outcomes of death, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and late-onset sepsis (LOS) (aOR, 2.375; 95% CI, 1.027-5.492). Conclusions: Prolonged prenatal antibiotic exposure could increase the BW/GA Z-score and the risk of death and composite outcomes of death, NEC, and LOS in VP or VLBW infants.