• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.661-666
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• 2009

Purpose : To determine the prevalence and clinical features of codetected respiratory etiological agents for acute respiratory infection in hospitalized children. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from hospitalized children with acute respiratory infection at Dankook University Hospital from September 2003 through June 2005. Immunofluorescent staining and culture were used for the detection of respiratory viruses (influenza virus [IFV] types A, B; parainfluenza virus [PIV] types 1, 2, 3; respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]; adenovirus [AdV]). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) detection, and PCR and culture were performed for enterovirus detection. Acid-fast staining and culture were performed for tuberculosis detection. The demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed retrospectively from the patients medical records. Results : Evidence of two or more microbes was found in 28 children: RSV was detected in 14, PIV 3 in 10, AdV in 10, MP in 8, PIV 2 in 8, CT in 4, and PIV 1 in 3. Codetected agents were found as follows: RSV＋PIV 2, 6 patients; AdV＋MP, 4 patients; AdV＋PIV, 3 patients; RSV＋MP, 3 patients; PIV 1＋PIV 3, 3 patients. Distinct peaks of codetected agents were found in epidemics of MP and each respiratory virus. Conclusion : The codetected infectious agents were RSV, PIV, AdV, and MP, with distinct peaks found in epidemics of MP and each respiratory virus. Although advances in diagnostic methods have increased the prevalence of codetection, its clinical significance should be interpreted cautiously.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.622-628
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunogenicity of the booster immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children. Methods : Thirty-nine children aged 12-23 months who visited Kangnam CHA Hospital between September 2006 and December 2006 were enrolled. The children were divided into primary and booster groups depending on their vaccination status for the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. The anti-pneumococcal antibody levels of each serotype included in the vaccine (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F) were determined by third-generation ELISA. Results : The geometric mean titer (GMT) of antibodies to each pneumococcal serotype in the booster group was higher than in the primary group (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}0.35{\mu}g/mL$ was 90.5-100% for all serotypes in both the primary and booster groups. The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}1.0g/mL$ in the booster group was 94.4-100%, which was higher than the primary group except for serotypes 6B and 14 (P<.05). The percentage of subjects with pneumococcal antibodies ${\geq}5.0{\mu}g/mL$ in the booster group was 50.0-94.4% which was higher than the primary group for all serotypes (P<0.05). Conclusion : The immunogenicity of a booster dose of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Korean children was high and the immunogenicity of a primary series was also relatively high. To determine the feasibility of the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the appropriate schedule for Korean children, further prospective investigation of the immunogenicity of the booster immunization is needed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.185-195
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• 2006

Purpose: This study investigated the status of radiation exposure doses since the establishment of the "Regulations on Safety Management of Diagnostic Radiation Generation Device" in January 6, 1995. Method: The level of radiation exposure in people engaged or having been engaged in radiation-related industries of inspection organizations, educational organizations, military units, hospitals, public health centers, businesses, research organizations or clinics over a 5 year period from Jan. 1, 2000 to Dec. 31, 2004 was measured. The 149,205 measurement data of 57,136 workers registered in a measurement organization were analysed in this study. Frequency analysis, a Chi-square test, Chi-square trend test, and ANOVA was used for data analysis. Results: Among 57,136, men were 40,870(71.5%). 50.3% of them were radiologic technologists, otherwise medical doctors(22.7%), nurse(2.9%) and others(24.1%). The average of depth radiation and surface radiation during the 5-year period were found to decrease each year. Both the depth radiation and surface radiation exposure were significantly higher in males, in older age groups, in radiological technologists of occupation. The departments of nuclear medicine had the highest exposure of both depth and surface radiation of the divisions of labor. There were 1.98 and 2.57 per 1,000 person-year were exposed more than 20 mSv(limit recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection) in depth and surface radiation consequently. Conclusion: The total exposure per worker was siginifcantly decreased by year. But Careful awareness is needed for the workers who exposed over 20 mSv per year. In order to minimize exposure to radiation, each person engaged in a radiation-related industry must adhere to the individual safety management guidelines more thoroughly. In addition, systematic education and continuous guidance aimed at increasing the awareness of safety must be provided.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2002

Gram-negative septicemia, which continues to be a serious clinical problem, is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Endotoxin of gram-negative bacteria is a pivotal pathogen of sepsis. To understand the effect of endotoxin on hematological aspect and the time course in early childhood, this study was designed with experimental septic model of young rabbits (8 week-old). Rabbits were divided into control (n=7) and endotoxin group (0.50 mg/kg of endotoxin). The endotoxin group was subdivided into six groups by the sampling times: 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hr-group (E-G$_{3}$, E-G$_{6}$, E-G$_{12}$, E-G$_{24}$, E-G$_{48}$ and E-G$_{72hrs}$, each n=7). The evaluation of CBC, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen concentration, coagulation factors and D-dimer were taken from the bloods. The number of leukocytes was lower in E-G$_{3}$ and E-G$_{6hrs}$ (due to pantocytopenia), whereas it was higher in E-G$_{24}$ and E-G$_{48}$ (due to neutrophilia and/or lymphophilia) than in control group (P<0.05). Platelet counts in E-G$_{3}$, E-G$_{6}$, E-G$_{12}$, E-G$_{24}$ and E-G$_{48hrs}$ were lower than those of control group (P<0.05). Normoblast counts in E-G$_{3}$, E-G$_{6}$, E-G$_{12}$, E-G$_{24}$ and E-G$_{48hrs}$ were higher than those of control group (p<0.01). APTT in E-G$_{3}$, E-G$_{6}$, E-G$_{12}$, E-G$_{24}$ and E-G$_{72hrs}$ were longer while PT in E-G$_{3}$, E-G$_{6}$, E-G$_{48}$ and E-G$_{72hrs}$ were higher than those of control group (p<0.05). Fibrinogen concentrations were lower in E-G$_{3}$, E-G$_{6}$ and E-G$_{12}$ but higher in E-G$_{48}$ and E-G$_{72hrs}$ than those of control (p<0.05). Intrinsic coagulation factors (XII, XI, IX, VIII) in all endotoxin groups were significantly lower than those of control group (p<0.05). Extrinsic coagulation factor (X, VII, V, II) were lower in E-G$_{3}$, E-G$_{6}$, E-G$_{12}$ and E-G$_{24hrs}$ whereas they were higher in E-G$_{48}$ and E-G$_{72hrs}$ than in control group (p<0.05). D-dimer concentrations in E-G$_{48}$ and E-G$_{72hrs}$ were higher than those of control group (P<0.001). We concluded that endotoxin led to extensive hematological disturbances including disseminated intravascular coagulation in the young rabbits and that this pathologic condition in the infant and childhood groups will cause the grave results.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.102-113
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• 2003

Purpose : Acute respiratory tract infections are the most common illnesses in children. The great majority of these infections involving lower respiratory tracts infections(LRTI) are caused by respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), influenza virus(INF), adenovirus(ADV), etc. Our purpose of this study was to examine the seasonal occurrence, clinical and laboratory features of each viral infections. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates(NPA) were collected from 913 hospitalized children on the first day of admission. They were all admitted to Hangang Sacred Heart hospital and diagnosed as LRTIs. The study period was from September 1998 to August 2002. Specimens were inoculated onto HEp-2 cell, LLC-MK2 cell and MDCK cell. Viruses were detected by immunofluorescent method performed at day 10 postinoculation. Respiratory viruses were detected in 251(27%) cases. Medical records of 208 cases diagnosed as acute LRTIs were all taken reviewed and analyzed. Results : The identified pathogens were RSV 122 cases(58%), PIV 30 cases(14%), INFA 20 cases(10%), INFB 21 cases(11%) and ADV 15 cases(7%) during the study period. Outbreaks of RSV infections occurred every year but mostly on December, 1998 and November, 1999. LRTIs by PIV and ADV occurred during all seasons of the year. INFA was isolated moslty on March, 1999 and January, 2000. INFB infections occurred largely on April, 2002. The clinical diagnoses were bronchiolitis 88 cases(43%), pneumonia 87 cases(42%), croup 19 cases(9%) and tracheobronchitis 14 cases(6%). Common symptoms and signs were cough, rhinorrhea, sputum and fever. WBC counts in peripheral blood showed normal findings in 123 cases(59%). Each viral infections also showed some differences in auscultatory findings and chest X-ray findings. Conclusion : We learned that viruses are one of the major and important etiologic agents of acute LRTIs of children in Korea. However, we still need to find out more about its characteristic clinical features and continue studying on their seasonal occurrence to focus on their management and also prevention.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the disease severity of children suffering from gastroenteritis using different scales. The results are compared and subsequently classified on the basis of the type of virus causing the disease in order to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and disease severity according to pathogen. Method: This study was conducted prospectively with patients under 5 years of age diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and hospitalized at 9 medical institutions in 8 regions across the Republic of Korea. Disease severity was evaluated using the Vesikari Scale, the Clark Scale, and the modified Flores Scale. Fecal samples collected from patients were used to detect rotavirus and enteric adenovirus by enzyme immunoassay, and for RT-PCR of norovirus, astrovirus, and sapovirus. Results: There were a total of 214 patients with a male : female ratio of 1.58 : 1, of which 35 were under the age of 6 months (16.4%), 105 were aged 6-23 months (49.1%), and 74 were aged 24-59 months (34.5%). The rate of concordance between the Vesikari and Clark Scales was 0.521 (P<0.001) and, in severe cases, the Vesikari Scale was 60.7% and Clark Scale was 2.3%, indicating that the Clark Scale was stricter in the evaluation of severe cases. Conclusions: In children with gastroenteritis, there were differences in disease severity based on the scale used. Therefore, to achieve consistent results among researchers, either only a single scale or a measure of all scales should be used to determine disease severity.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2005

Purpose : To determine the histological findings and treatment outcome in cases of child hood nephrotic syndrome which required renal biopsy. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, laboratory, pathologic findings and therapeutic outcomes of 159 nephrotic children who received a renal biopsy at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyunghee Medical University Hospital, Seoul from 1984 to 2004 over a period of 21 years. The renal biopsy was performed in nephrotic children who showed atypical features at presentation, or needed cytotoxic therapy because of frequent-relapsing, steroid-dependent, or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome(SRNS). Results : Minimal change disease(MCD) was found in 52.1$\%$ of the patients, followed by diffuse mesangial proliferation(33.1$\%$), focal segmental gomerulosclerosis(5.3$\%$), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(2.4$\%$), membranous nephropathy(2.4$\%$), and IgA nephropathy(1.8$\%$). In MCD children, 14.8$\%$ had hematuria, 22.7$\%$ had hypertension, 5.7$\%$ showed decreased renal function, and no patient was found to have an abnormal complement level. Among patients diagnosed with diseases other than MCD, 43.2$\%$ had hematuria, 21.0$\%$ was found to be hypertensive, 7.4$\%$ of children showed decreased renal function and only 3(3.7$\%$) had decreased complement level; the rates of hematuria and SRNS were found to be significantly higher than MCD patients. Among 37 SRNS patients, 30(81.0$\%$) showed a final remission state with long-term steroid therapy, including methylprednisolone pulse therapy, over 4 months, with or without cytotoxic therapy. Conclusion : Almost half of the cases of childhood nephrotic syndrome requiring renal biopsy were not diagnosed with MCD. Among atypical features, hematuria and steroid-resistance would be the most probable indicators for a diagnosis other than MCD. Even in patients with SRNS, long-term methylprednisolone pulse therapy may result in a good remission rate. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:149-158)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2005

Purpose : Recently the merits of 6 weeks of initial prednisolone treatment for pediatric primary nephrotic syndrome have been reported, and the use of the 6 week regimen is increasing. We compared our experiences with the 6 week treatment versus the 4 week treatment for Korean patients. Methods : We conducted a retrospective analysis of 69 children who had primary nephrotic syndrome and who were followed up for at least 12 months in the 4 major medical centers in Daegu. The remission rate, the relapse rate, the frequency of relapse and complication of steroid treatment were compared between the 4 weeks and 6 weeks treatment group. Results : Of the 69 children, 42 were in the 4 week treatment group and 27 were in the 6 week group. The median age, blood pressure, serum total protein, serum albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, 24 hour urine protein and 12 month cumulative dose did not differ between the two groups. Among the children who relapsed after steroid treatment, the relapse time was significantly later for the 6 week treatment group. The relapse rate after 1 year of treatment was 62$\%$ in the 4 week treatment group and 52$\%$ in the 6 week treatment group; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The frequency of relapse at 12 months was $1.5{\pm}1.2$ times in the 4 week treatment group and $1.1{\pm}1.2$ times in the 6 week treatment group, and there was not different between the two groups. The most common side effects of steroid treatment were an increase of appetite and a cushingoid appearance, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Among the 27 children who had kidney biopsies performed, 21 suffered from minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Conclusion : The first relapse time after steroid treatment was significantly later in the 6 week steroid treatment group. The frequency of relapse and the 12 month cumulative dose of steroid were lower in the 6 week treatment group, but there was no statistical significance between the two groups. The side effects of steroid treatment did not differ between the two groups. We need to study the long term side effects and the advanced regimens of steroid treatment in the future.(J Korea Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:159-166)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2006

Purpose : In Korea, the school urine screening program is a useful tool for screening urine abnormalities. It is particularly useful in early detection of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(MPGN) I, which frequently progresses to chronic renal failure. In this study, we studied the medical history, laboratory findings, and histologic findings of MPGN to gain helpful information on early detection and treatment. Methods : The subjects were 19 children, who were diagnosed with MPGN from kidney biopsies that were performed in ten nationwide university hospitals because of abnormal urine findings from school urine screening programs conducted from July 1999 to April 2004. We divided the patients into 2 groups, a nephrotic range proteinuria group(n=8) and a non-nephrotic proteinuria group(n=11), and retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings, histologic findings, treatment, and clinical course. Results : The mean age at the first abnormal urinalysis was $10.6{\pm}2.2$ years in the nephrotic proteinuria group and $9.6{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group. The mean age at the time of kidney biopsy was $11.3{\pm}2.3$ years in the nephrotic range proteinuria group and $10.4{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean age and sex between the two groups. In the nephrotic proteinuria group, 6 children had a low plasma C3 level and in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group, 8 children had a low plasma C3 level, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the laboratory test results(including WBC count, RBC count, platelet count and other serologic tests) between the 2 groups except for 24 hour urine protein secretion. There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to the acute and chronic changes in the glomerulus on light microscopic findings, IgG, IgA, Ig M, C1q, C3, C4, fibrogen deposition on immunofluoroscence findings, and mesangial deposits, subendothelial deposits, and subepithelial deposits on electron microscopic findings. The children were treated with corticosteroids, ACE(angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, dipyridamole and other immunosuppressive agents. During the course of treatment, there were no children whose clinical condition worsened. Among 19 children, 3 children went into remission(2 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 1 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) and 9 children went into a partial remission(4 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 5 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) on urinalysis. There was no significant difference in the treatment results between the two groups. Conclusion : The 73.7% of children who were incidentally diagnosed with MPGN by the school urine screening program had reduced C3. 42.1% of the children had nephrotic range proteinuria. There were no significant differences in clinical features, laboratory test results, light microscopic, immunofluorescence microscopic, and electron microscopic findings between the nephrotic proteinuria group and the non-nephrotic proteinuria group except for the 24 hour urine protein secretion. Therefore, for early detection of MPGN during the school urine screening program, we strongly recommend a kidney biopsy if children have abnormal urine findings such as persistent proteinuria and persistent hematuria, or if the serum C3 is reduced.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.229-234
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was evaluating the efficacy of endoscopic $Deflux^{(R)}$ submucosal injection in children with primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods : Retrospective analysis of medical record was conducted on 38 children (59 ureters) who underwent endoscopic $Deflux^{(R)}$ injection due to primary VUR. Data were collected from March 2000 to February 2006. Mean infused amount of $Deflux^{(R)}$ was 0.77 cc. After $Deflux^{(R)}$ injection, patients were reassessed by voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) 6 months later. Results : The success rate of endoscopic $Deflux^{(R)}$ submucosal injection 6 months later by VCUG was 100% for grade 1 VUR, 87.5% for grade 2, 60% for grade 3, 26.6% for grade 4, 16.6% for grade 5, respectively and there was negatively significant correlation between success rate and grade of VUR (P<.01). Degree of improvement of VUR by endoscopic $Deflux^{(R)}$ submucosal injection was not related to age at diagnosis, time to operation, existence of voiding dysfunction or constipation and infused amount of $Deflux^{(R)}$. However, group with anticholinergics medication had significantly lower success rate than non-medication group (P<0.047). Conclusion : Endoscopic $Deflux^{(R)}$ submucosal injection is effective therapy in patient with primary VUR, especially low grade VUR. It can be not only a useful substitute for prophylaxis with antibiotics, but also an effective management prior to ureteroneocystostomy in children with primary VUR.