• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• 제12권1호
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2006

Recent advances in neonatal management have resulted in a dramatic increase in survival of very low birth weight infants. These critically ill infants, however, continue to pose significant challenges in management and ethics. There is little information on the outcome of the micropremie (birth weight less than 800 g) that require surgery. The records of 171 micropremies treated over a 15 year period (beginning in 1989) at Asan Medical Center was reviewed retrospectively. Forty-one (24.0 %) infants required surgical interventions by pediatric surgeons. There were 90 boys and 81 girls. The smallest infant, weighed 396g at birth, had esophageal atresia and died before surgery. The smallest survivor, birth weight 645 g, received anenterostomy for necrotizing enterocolitis at the weight of 590 g. The gestational age of the group rangedfrom 21 to 36 weeks. The most common surgical problem was inguinal hernia. There were 20 inguinal hernias, and repairs were performed on17 infants. Excluding 2 cases, hernia repair was performed at the time of discharge. There was only one recurrence of adirect inguinal hernia. Necrotizing enterocolitis developed in 17 patients, 11 were operated upon, two had peritoneal drainages, and 9 had enterostomies. Five of 11 surgical infants died after operation and three of the nonsurgical infants died of various complications. Although micropremies have potentially high risks of serious complications and death, the outcome can improve with careful surgical observation and judgment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제58권6호
• /
• pp.224-229
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Thyroid dysfunction is common in preterm infants. Congenital hypothyroidism causes neurodevelopmental impairment, which is preventable if properly treated. This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of thyroid dysfunction in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs), evaluate risk factors of hypothyroidism, and suggest the reassessment of thyroid function with an initially normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as part of a newborn screening test. Methods: VLBWIs (January 2010 to December 2012) were divided into two groups according to dysfunction-specific thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and associated factors were evaluated. Results: Of VLBWIs, 246 survivors were enrolled. Only 12.2% (30/246) of enrolled subjects exhibited thyroid dysfunction requiring thyroid hormone replacement. Moreover, only one out of 30 subjects who required thyroid hormone treatment had abnormal thyroid function in the newborn screening test with measured TSH. Most of the subjects in the treatment group (22/30) exhibited delayed TSH elevation. Gestational age, Apgar score, antenatal steroids therapy, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, postnatal steroids therapy, and duration of mechanical ventilation did not differ between the two groups. Birth weight was smaller and infants with small for gestational age were more frequent in the treatment group. Conclusion: Physicians should not rule out suggested hypothyroidism, even when thyroid function of a newborn screening test is normal. We suggest retesting TSH and free thyroxine in high risk preterm infants with an initially normal TSH level using a newborn screening test.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제62권5호
• /
• pp.187-192
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The importance of the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants has been emphasized as their mortality rate has markedly improved. This study aimed to assess the validity of the Korean Developmental Screening Test (K-DST), a developmental screening tool approved by the Korean Society of Pediatrics, for the timely diagnosis of neurodevelopmental delay in VLBW infants. Methods: Subjects included VLBW infants enrolled in the Korean Neonatal Network database between January 2012 and December 2014. The collected data were analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) in the K-DST compared to those in the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II for VLBW infants. Results: A total of 173 patients were enrolled. Their mean gestational age and mean birth weight were $27.5{\pm}2.8weeks$ and $980.5{\pm}272.1g$, respectively. The frequency of failed psychomotor developmental index (PDI) <85 was similar to that in at least one domain of K-DST <1 standard deviation. Failure in more than one K-DST domain compared with a mental developmental index (MDI) <85 showed a sensitivity and NPV of 73.2% and 75.0%, respectively. Failure in more than one K-DST domain compared with PDI <85 showed a sensitivity and NPV of 60.3% and 71.6%, respectively. Each K-DST domain had a stronger correlation with predicting a failing MDI <85 than a failing PDI <85 (P<0.05). Conclusion: K-DST could be a useful screening tool for predicting mental developmental delay in VLBW infants and referring them for neurodevelopmental assessments.

• 한국동물위생학회지
• /
• 제40권1호
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2017

The present study was undertaken to clarify the changes in hematological values of Korean indigenous goats according to age. Blood samples were collected from 16 goats (5 females and 11 males) from birth up to the age of 6 weeks and the levels of various hematological values were analyzed. The body weight was increased from 2.54 kg at birth to 6.41 kg at 6 weeks age. The erythrocytes (RBC) counts and hemoglobin (Hb) values of goats were decreased at 2 weeks after birth, and increased gradually from 4 weeks after birth. The hematocrit (Ht) values were decreased until 4 weeks after birth, and increased at 6 weeks after birth. The mean cell volume (MCV) and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) were decreased until 6 weeks after birth. The mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was increased slightly from 2 weeks after birth. The red cell distribution width (RDW) was increased significantly at 2 weeks after birth, and decreased from 4 weeks after birth. The platelet (PLT) counts were increased significantly from 2 weeks after birth. The mean platelet volume (MPV) was decreased at 2 weeks after birth, and increased gradually from 4 weeks after birth. The total white blood cell (WBC) counts and the mean absolute numbers of neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil were increased from 2 weeks after birth. In conclusion, the data obtained from this study may be valuable as a standard for interpreting results of hematological analyses in Korean indigenous goats.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제52권8호
• /
• pp.881-887
• /
• 2009

목 적 : 최근 신생아 집중 치료의 발달로 인하여 출생체중 1,500 g 미만의 극소 저체중출생아(very low birth weight infants, VLBWI)의 생존율이 높아지고 있다. 이에 저자들은 최근 12년간 한림대학교 강남성심병원 신생아 중환자실에 입원한 극소 저체중 출생아의 치료 결과의 변화를 조사하였다. 방 법 : 1997년 1월 1일부터 2008년 12월 31일까지 한림대학교 강남성심병원 신생아 중환자실에 입원한 1,500 g 미만의 VLBWI 339명을 대상으로 하였고 I기(1997-2003년), II기(2004-2008년)로 나누어 각기별 출생체중과 재태연령의 변화, 생존율, 이환율, 사망원인 및 시기에 대해 병록지 검토를 통해 후향적으로 조사하였다. 결 과 : VLBWI 발생 빈도는 II기에 유의하게 증가하였으며 평균 출생체중 및 재태 연령도 I기에 비해 II기에 유의하게 감소하였으나 1분과 5분 아프가 점수는 II기에 더 높았고(P<0.05), 인공 호흡기 사용기간, 산소 총 투여 기간에는 두 기간사이의 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다(P>0.05). 산모와의 관계를 보면 자궁경부 근무력증, 출생 전 스테로이드 사용, 조기 양막파수는 II기에 유의하게 증가하였다. 생존율에 있어서는 I기에 59.1%, II기에 74.2%로 유의한 증가를 보였으며(P<0.05), 출생체중 1,000 g 미만, 재태연령 28주 미만의 환아의 생존율 증가가 두드러졌다. 극소 저체중 출생아에서 흔히 동반되는 질환으로는 호흡곤란 증후군, 미숙아 망막증, 패혈증, 기관지폐 형성이상, 동맥관 개존증, grade III 이상의 뇌실 내 출혈 및 뇌백질 연화증, 괴사성 장염의 발생은 동맥관 개존증을 제외하고는 두 기간 간의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 사망 원인으로는 호흡곤란 증후군이 가장 많았고 폐출혈, 패혈증이 그다음을 차지하였고, 사망 시기는 두 기간 모두 7일 이내 사망률이 가장 높았다. 결 론 : 최근 12년간 본원에서 출생한 VLBWI의 생존율은 현저히 향상되었으며 특히 1,000 g 미만 28주 미만 환아에서의 생존율 향상이 두드러졌다. 이는 여러 가지 신생아 집중치료술의 향상에 따른 것으로 생각된다. 하지만, 아직 초기 사망율이 높으므로 급성기 치료에 더욱 관심을 갖고 출생체중, 재태연령, 산소치료등과 밀접한 관계가 있는 합병증인 기관지폐 형성이상, 미숙아 망막증 등의 빈도를 줄이기 위해 노력해야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.37-47
• /
• 2008

Recently, the survival rates of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants have improved with the development of neonatal intensive care. However, these infants were susceptible to intestinal perforation due to prematurity, fluid restriction, and injection of indomethacin, etc. Because of the risks of transportation, anesthesia and surgery itself, peritoneal drainage has been compared with laparotomy. Through our experience, we investigate the usefulness of peritoneal drainage retrospectively. From 1997 to 2007, six ELBW (M:F=5:1) underwent primary peritoneal drainage for intestinal perforation. Their median birth weight was 685g (405~870) and gestational age was $25^{+1}$ weeks ($24^{+3}{\sim}27^{+0}$). We noticed the intestinal perforation at median 10.5 days (8~18) after birth, and placed Penrose drain or Jackson-Pratt drain through right lower quadrant incision under local anesthesia. The cause of intestinal perforation was necrotizing enterocolitis in one patient, but that of the others was not clear. Three patients who showed normal platelet count and stable vital signs recovered uneventfully. Two patients (birth weight less than 500g) who showed unstable vital signs and low platelet count (12,000 / $mm^3$ to 30,000 / $mm^3$)expired despite aggressive resuscitation. One patient required laparotomy due to persistent intestinal obstruction after drain removal and survived. Our experience shows that peritoneal drainage was an acceptable treatment for ELBW infants and the prognosis was related to vital sign and platelet count at the time of intestinal perforation, and birth weight.

• Child Health Nursing Research
• /
• 제4권2호
• /
• pp.159-176
• /
• 1998

In effort to conduct comparative study on the caregiving environment of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) in both U. S and Korea, this study was been conducted first in the U.S. Purpose : The purpose of this study is to identify the physical environment and direct caregiving practices to lowbirth weight infants in NICU in the US. It also aims to examine the NICU outcome status and behavioral reponses of lowbirth weight infants. Methods : A study design using descriptive and inferential statistics was been conducted through an observational, field method. A sample of 15 preform infants admitted to NICU were recruited for the study. The subjects were those with birth weight between 1,000 gm to 1,500 gm, born at the gestation period of 27 to 33 weeks, and without any chromosomal or other genetic anomalies, major congenital infections, or maternal illness. Thirty minutes observation(three times of ten minutes of continuous observation)of the infant's behavior and physiological status, and an four-hour observation of the physical environment and direct care giving procedures were been conducted on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. The data to be collected were in four areas : the demograghic characteristics of the infants, the physical environment and care giving procedures, the frequency of the infant's designated behavior and physiological response, and NICU outcome variables. A descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson r were been applied according to variable characteristics. Results : 1. Mother's mean age was 29.47. The sample consisted of 6 males and 9 females. Mean gestational ages were 29.17 weeks. Mean birth weight was 1236.33g. Mean Apgar scores at one minute were 6.6, and 7.8 at five minutes. 2. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light, X-ray screens and nursing station, in proximity to side-lamp, telephone and faucet on the third day after birth. The location for the incubator was in the distance from the light and radio on the tenth day and in proximity to nursing station on the day of dischage from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 3. Nesting was the most applying aids to the infants. And foot roll, shielding and plastic frame were frequently using by nurses for facilitating well modulated restful posture. 4. There were statistically significant changes in the patterns of physical environment included locating the infant's incubator and bedding, specific aids to self regulation on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 5. Statistically significant changes were not appeared in the patterns of direct caregiving procedure to the infants included stress inducing or reducing manipulations on the 3rd and 10th day after birth, and on the day of discharge from the NICU or at 34weeks postconception. 6. The stress response of the infants in NICU were significantly reduced as the infants grow older. 7. There were not statistically significant correlation between the physical envronment and the stress responses of the infants in NICU. 8. There were statistically significant correlation between the direct caregiving procedure to the infants and the stress response of the infants in NICU in the second and third observation on the day three. 9. Average weight gain per day from birth to discharge was 38.73g, number of days in the hospital was 42.60, number of days before bottle feeding was 3.6. Postconception age starting bottle feed ing was 31/sup +5/ weeks. Number of days on mechanical ventilator was average 7.64, 11.42 was an average number of days of oxygen need. Conclusion : It, thus, appears that to minimize the sensorymotor stimulation for the low birthweight preterm infant in NICU, manipulation of care giving practices to the babies whatever the stress inducing or reducing procedures, have to be limited in the immediate early stage after birth. And it needed to be reexamine to identify the appropriate and specific physical environment and the patterns of direct caregiving to the low birthweight preform infant as the infants grow older in NICU.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제61권9호
• /
• pp.265-270
• /
• 2018

Neonates, especially extremely low birth weight infants, are among the groups of patients undergoing transfusion frequently. Since they are exposed to higher specific transfusion risks compared to the patients of other age groups, there are many special aspects that must be considered for transfusion therapy in neonates. The transfusion risks in neonates include adverse outcomes specific for preterm infants as well as increased metabolic, immunologic, and infectious complications. To reduce the risks of transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus infection and transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease, leukoreduced and irradiated cellular blood products should be used for all neonates. This review summarizes the risks of neonatal transfusion therapy, specific methods to reduce risk, and current trends and practices of red blood cell and platelet transfusions in neonates, to facilitate decision-making for neonatal transfusion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제62권7호
• /
• pp.245-251
• /
• 2019

Hemodynamically significant preterm patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) affects mortality; comorbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia; and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants, particularly in very low birth weight infants. However, recent studies have indicated that there is no consensus on the causal relationship between PDA and neonatal outcomes, the benefit of PDA treatment, the factors guiding the need for treatment, and optimal treatment strategies. Such uncertainty has resulted in wide variations in practice for treating preterm PDA between units, regions, and nations. Nowadays, there has been a paradigm shift to more conservative treatment for preterm PDA, and suggestions regarding selective management of preterm PDA considering risk factors and hemodynamic significance are increasing. Neonatologist-performed echocardiography and advances in modalities to assess hemodynamic significance such as biologic markers and near-infrared spectroscopy also help improve the efficacy of selective treatment of preterm PDA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제56권3호
• /
• pp.112-115
• /
• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the association between necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and red blood cell transfusions in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. Methods: We studied were 180 VLBW preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of CHA Gangnam Hospital from January of 2006 to December of 2009. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: an NEC group (greater than stage II on the modified Bell's criteria) and a control group (less than stage II on the modified Bell's critieria). We defined red blood cell transfusion before NEC diagnosis as the frequency of transfusion until NEC diagnosis (mean day at NEC diagnosis, day 18) in the NEC group and the frequency of transfusion until 18 days after birth in the control group. Results: Of the 180 subjects, 18 (10%) belonged to the NEC group, and 14 (78%) of these 18 patients had a history of transfusion before NEC diagnosis. The NEC group received $3.1{\pm}2.9$ transfusions, and the control group received $1.0{\pm}1.1$ transfusions before the NEC diagnosis (P=0.005). In a multivariate logistic regression corrected for gestational age, Apgar score at 1 minute, the presence of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, premature rupture of membrane, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and death were confounding factors. The risk of NEC increased 1.63 times (95% confidence interval, 1.145 to 2.305; P=0.007) with transfusion before the NEC diagnosis. Conclusion: The risk for NEC increased significantly with increased transfusion frequency before the NEC diagnosis.