• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.929-934
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• 2005

Purpose : This study describes how often complementary and alternative medical(CAM) therapies, what patterns of CAM therapies utilization, what types of CAM therapies and why CAM therapies are used in children and adolescent with chronic disease. Methods : We interviewed and filled out questionnaires with parents of patients suffering from asthma, atopic dermatitis, congenital myopathy, epilepsy and so on from Mar 2004 to Aug 2004. Results : Two hundred fifty two parents answered questionnaires; 160 cases(63.5 percent) had used CAM therapies. Utilization of CAM therapies according to each chronic disease was as follows : congenital myopathy(100 percent), atopic dermatitis(91.1 percent), asthma(72.5 percent), chronic diarrhea (50.0 percent), epilepsy(17.1 percent) etc. Types of CAM therapy were as follows : dietary supplement (31.1 percent), herb medicine(23.4 percent), massage(14.2 percent), acupuncture(4.6 percent) etc. Sixty four(40.0 percent) case underwent more than two types of CAM therapies simultaneously. One hundred thirty three(83.1 percent) case were asked through non-medical prescription. Ninety nine(61.9 percent) case were recognized positive effect of CAM therapies. Parents' and childrens' ages were influential factors in CAM therapies utilization : the older the parents and the younger the children, the higher the utilization. Conclusion : Although patients receive treatment with western medicine, many of them not only undergo CAM therapies, especially more than two types, but also recognize the positive effects of CAM therapies. As a result, we suggest that it is easy to use of CAM therapies, and the positive effects of CAM therapies are prominent, domestically. Therefore, medical approach and study about the effectiveness and side effects of CAM therapies is necessary to avoid the imprudent use of such therapies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.236-241
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was performed to know the clinical profile and effectiveness of colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with solitary juvenile polyp. Methods : This study included 19 children, aged 1.8 to 11.4 years, who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy and histologically proven solitary juvenile polyps between March 1998 and August 2002. We analyzed their detailed history, clinical manifestations, colonoscopic examination, method of anesthesia and results of colonoscopic polypectomy. Results : The mean age of the 19 cases was $4.7{\pm}2.8year$. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Hematochezia, the main indication of colonoscopy, was present in all cases. Combined symptoms were mucoid stool or diarrhea(42%), abdominal pain(26%), constipation(11%) and anal fissure(11%). Anemia(Hb <10 g/dL) in four cases recovered spontaneously after polypectomy. Complications associated with premedication, sedation and colonoscopy itself did not occur. Bleeding developed in two cases(11%) after polypectomy. One of them was controlled with hemoclipping. The main site of polyps was the rectosigmoid colon in 15 cases(79%). The size of the polyps ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 cm. The interval between the onset of symptoms and polypectomy was from 0.1 to 42 months. Conclusion : Juvenile polyps are a common cause of benign, chronic and recurrent rectal bleeding. Colonoscopic polypectomy is a simple, safe and effective therapeutic method. So earlier colonoscopy might avoid uneffective treatment and prevent untoward problems such as fear of parents and anemia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1089-1094
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• 2003

Purpose : Polyethylene glycol(PEG) with electrolytes has been used for intestinal clearance for colonoscopy and operations in children. But its efficacy and safety for disimpaction in children with chronic functional constipation has been studied little. Methods : This study enrolled 26 patients with chronic functional constipation(11 children had failed to disimpaction by conventional management at OPD) who were admitted to the Eul-Ji Hospital between May 2000 and July 2003. PEG with electrolytes was administered per oral and/or rectal enema. We observed the effects for disimpaction by measuring the frequency and consistency of stools, and by simple abdominal X-ray. We evaluated the safety by measuring serum electrolytes and osmolarity in three hours after PEG with electrolytes administration, and by observation of the clinical status of the patients. The protocol of PEG with electrolytes was a dose of 60-80 mL/kg within three hours per oral and/or of 15-25 mL/kg by rectal enema. Results : In all patients, simple abdominal X-ray films showed improvements of fecal impaction. Consistency and frequency of stool were improved in all patients except one. As for side effects, diarrhea developed in three patients(11.5% of all patients). Headaches developed in one patient(3.8% of all patients) but it improved without treatment. Serum electrolytes was checked in 16 patients after PEG with electrolytes management and mild hypernatremia(146 mmol/L) was checked in one patient. Serum osmolarity was checked in 11 patients after PEG with electrolytes management and was normal in all patients. Conclusion : PEG with electrolytes was effective and safe for disimpaction in children with chronic functional constipation, including patients who had failed in disimpaction by conventional management.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2009

Purpose : Clinical and laboratory findings predict a severe outcome for mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with hyponatremia and to determine the factors associated with its development. Methods : Retrospective studies were performed on 114 KD patients who received an initial high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG, single 2 g/kg/dose) within 10 days of fever onset from January 2006 to February 2008. These patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 (26.3%) patients with hyponatremia, and group 2 consisted of 84 (73.6%) patients without hyponatremia. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings were compared between the groups. Results : Group 1 patients were more likely to have a coronary artery lesion (53.3% versus 20.2%, P=0.005) and suffered from diarrhea (41.3% versus 14.1%, P=0.007). There was a higher incidence of cardiovascular involvement in group 1 patients, including coronary dilatation (46.6%), valvular regurgitation (13.3%), pericardial effusion (6.7%) and medium-sized aneurysm (6.7%). There were no coronary aneurysms in group 2 patients. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in patients with hyponatremia ($12.2{\pm}7.79$ mg/dL versus $7.3{\pm}4.7$ mg/dL, P=0.003) and IVIG-resistant patients were more common in group 1 (13.3% versus 3.6%). Conclusion : These results indicate that hyponatremia in KD occurs in patients exhibiting severe inflammation and was significantly associated with the development of coronary disease. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the pathogenic mechanisms of hyponatremia in KD patients.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2000

Purpose : The hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. It is ole of tile most common cause of acute renal failure in children but few reports are available in Korea. Thus we investigated the 23 patients diagnosed as HUS during last 14 years. Method : We retrospectively investigated the etiologic factor, clinical manifestations laboratory findings, treatment modalities, and final outcomes of the patients. Then patients were divided into two groups according to outcome, md comparison was performed. Group A(8) comprised patients who progressed to end-stage renal disease or expired. Group B(15) comprised patients who completely recovered after dialysis treatment. Result The number of patients aged less than 4 years were 17; between 5 and 10 were 4 and more than 10 were 2. The gende ratio was M:F=2 : 1. The etiologic factors were as follows: acute gastroenteritis in 14 patients including 4 bloody diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection in 7 patients, and 1 patient with herbal mediation. The overall mortality rate was 22$\%$: 2 patients died of US complications, 2 patients died of sepsis, and 1 patient died of pulmonary hemorrhage. Group A (Hb 4.8${\pm}$1.2 g/dL) showed lower value in hemoglobin than group B (Hb 6.3${\pm}$1.7 g/dL) during hospital stay (P< 0.05), And the time interval between tile disease onset and dialysis treatment was significantly longer in group A ($11.9{\pm}9.1\;days\;vs\;2.8{\pm}2.1\;days$) (P< 0.05). Conclusion : Overall mortality rate was 22$\%$. Low hemoglobin value and the prolonged time interval between the disease onset and dialysis treatment were related with poor prognosis. So early diagnosis and appropriate intensive care including dialysis treatment is essential to achieve better outcome in children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.832-838
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• 2005

Purpose : Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is relatively common in childhood. Its extrapulmonary manifestations have been reported so much, but hepatitis associated with it has been reported rarely in Korea. Methods : A clinical study was performed on 556 patients of M. pneumoniae pneumonia diagnosed serologically at Gil hospital from January 2001 to December 2004. We reviewed 65 cases among these patients, who had elevated level of serum AST and ALT greater than 50 IU/L respectively without evidence of hepatitis A, B, C, Cytomegalovirus and Ebstein-Barr virus infections. Results : Hepatitis occurred in 11.7% of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, especially in fall and winter times. Male to female ratio was 1.2 : 1 and the mean age was 4 years and 3 months. Besides hepatitis, cough(95.4%), sputum(52.3%) and dyspnea(12.3%) were common as pulmonary manifestations. And among gastrointestinal manifestations, nausea/vomiting(26.2%) was the most common symptom, followed by poor oral intake(12.3%), diarrhea(12.3%) and abdominal pain(6.2%). In addition to hepatomegaly(4.6%) and splenomegaly(4.6%), coarse breathing sound was the most common physical manifestation, followed by rale(63.1%), pharyngeal injection(26.2%), and rash(10.8%). Anemia was noted in 20.0%, neutrophilia in 10.8%, eosinphilia in 38.5% and thrombocytosis in 6.2%, respectively. Mean level of ESR and CRP was 32.02 mm/hr and 6.69 mg/dL, respectively. Mean level of AST and ALT was 293.80 IU/L and 181.48 IU/L, respectively. Hyperbilirubinemia was noted in 7.7% and hypoalbuminemia was noted in 58.5%. Lobar or lobular pneumonia(78.5%) was the most common finding in chest X-ray and left lower lobe(39.2%) was most commonly affected. Pleural effusion was noted in 26.2%. Mean duration of hospitalization was 9.91 days. Serum AST/ALT level was normalized within 9.94 days and pulmonary consolidation resolved within 14.29 days. Conclusion : The prognosis of M. pneumoniae hepatitis is good. However, liver function should be considerately checked in M. pneumoniae infection because its incidence is not so low.