• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define and clarify the concept of developmental care for preterm infants. Methods: The hybrid model method was used to identify the main attributes and indicators. In the field work stage, data were collected in Seoul and Cheonan, Korea. The participants were 5 nurses working in the NICU. Results: The concept of developmental care was found to have six attributes and ten indicators in 2 dimensions. For the nursing practice dimension, four attributes were derived. They were being like intrauterine state, individualization, interaction, and integrative care with awareness of development. For the family centeredness dimension, supporting parental attachment and professional alliance were attributes of developmental care. Conclusion: Developmental focused care can facilitate the identification of behavioral responses of newborns and provide individualized interventions for fostering growth and development. This concept analysis could provide guidelines for "developmental care" nursing practice and be useful for research in the neonatal field.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2005

Powered infant formula and baby food contaminated with Enterobacter sakazakii were reported to cause infection among infants and to be associated with sporadic cases and outbreaks of sepsis, menigitis, cerebritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Salmonella contamination of infant formula has also been responsible for multiple outbreaks. Other species of Enterobacteriaceae in powdered infant formula may be causative agents, about which there has been no report. Other pathogenic bacteria have been isolated from powdered infant formula but they were not associated with outbreaks among infant. While Enterobacter sakazakii caused disease in all age groups, premature infants under 28 days old and with birth weight are most sensitive to its infection. Even if low contamination level of the bacteria in powdered infant formula and baby food may not cause infection, the possibility to multiplicate during preparation and storage of reconstituted formula may increase. The etiological factors and pathogenecity of S. sakazakii have not been elucidated. There were wide variability in phenotype and genotype between its strains. S. sakazakii has been isolated from factory facility and surroundings more frequently than Salmonella and thus factory environment should be the source for post-processing contamination of the formula with S. sakazakii. Considering current technology to manufacture power infant formula and baby food it is impossible to sterilize powdered formula but the frequency of outbreak hazard by S. sakazakii can be reduced by pasteurizing the formula base before drying and shortening storage time of the reconstituted formula.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2019

Objectives: We aimed to compare preterm, neurodevelopmentally disordered and healthy full-term children. Methods: We enrolled 47 children who were born preterm, 40 neurodevelopmentally disordered children, and 80 healthy children as control participants, in order to assess the cognitive functioning and the risk of behavioral problems at the age of 5. Children were assessed using the Korean Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-4th edition (K-WPPSI-IV), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Results: The mean K-WPPSI-IV score of the preterm group was $87.19{\pm}17.36$, which was significantly higher than that of the neurodevelopmental disorder group ($69.98{\pm}28.63$; p<0.001) but lower than that of the control group ($107.74{\pm}14.21$; p<0.001). The cumulative CBCL scores of the preterm children were not significantly different from those of the control group. Additionally, the TCI scores for reward dependence of the preterm children were higher than those of the control group. Conclusion: The cognitive performance of preterm infants was lower than that of healthy full-term infants at the age of 5, and there was an association between slower growth and decreased cognitive ability.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.170-177
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• 2018

Purpose: Preterm infants frequently require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Storage RBCs undergo many changes during storage periods. We aimed to compare the hemoglobin (Hb) correction effect according to the period of RBC storage and investigate the factors influencing Hb correction. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 289 patients who received RBC transfusion more than once in the NICU of Kosin University Gospel Hospital between February 2006 and March 2016. The subjects were classified into two storage groups: short-term (${\leq}7days$, n=88) and long-term (>7 days, n=201), according to the period of RBC storage. We checked Hb levels by complete blood cell count tests conducted within 2 days before and 5 to 9 days after the first transfusion. We compared the Hb difference between the two groups and analyzed the factors influencing Hb correction. Results: Excluding the use of an invasive ventilator, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics. There was no significant difference in the Hb correction effect between the two groups (P=0.537). Birth weight greater than 1,500 g, higher weight at transfusion, and larger volume of transfusion were significant prognostic factors affecting greater changes in Hb. In addition, surgery experience, higher Hb level at transfusion, and additional blood tests were found to be significantly associated with less changes in Hb. Conclusion: The RBC storage period did not affect the Hb correction effect. The Hb correction effect may be diminished in infants with lower birth weight and lower weight at transfusion under unstable clinical conditions.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2001

Purpose: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been found to be the causative factors of apnea, stridor, feeding intolerance, poor weight gain, and sudden infants death syndrome (SIDS) in infants. GER is a well-described in infants and children, but only scant mention of the premature infants with GER can be found in the literature. Methods: Esophageal pH was measured during 24 hour in 21 healthy preterm infants, using a silicone microelectrode with an external reference electrode connected to a portable recorder. The mean age of the patients was $29{\pm}8$ days, mean gestational age was $30^{+5}{\pm}2^{+0}$ weeks, mean birth weight was $1,468{\pm}329$ g, mean postconceptional age was $34^{+6}{\pm}1^{+4}$ weeks and mean weight was $1,750{\pm}329$ g. We evaluated the following reflux parameters; number of acid reflux, number of long acid reflux, longest acid reflux minutes, and reflux index. Results: Pathologic GER was detected in 12 (57%) subjects and most interesting parameters are reflux index and number of episodes with a pH<4 during 24 hour (high correlation with postprandial reflux index). Reflux was not correlated to gestational age, birth weight, age, postconceptional age, weight, sex and medication of the theophylline. Conclusion: Gastroesophageal reflux is common in preterm infants, but it is usually not apparent, even with severe reflux.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.320-327
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• 2011

Purpose: To determine the effect of changing practice guidelines designed to avoid hyperoxia or hypoxia in very low birth weight or very preterm infants. Methods: We analyzed a database of <1,500 g birth weight or <32 weeks of gestation infants who were born and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2007 to July 2010. First, we defined the relationship between arterial partial pressure of oxygen ($PaO_2$) and pulse oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$). When we evaluated 96 pairs of $PaO_2$ and $SpO_2$ measurements, oxygen saturation was 90-94% at a $PaO_2$ of 43-79 mmHg on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, according to pulse oximetry. Based on this observation, a change in practice was instituted in August 2008 with the objective of avoiding hypoxia and hyperoxia in preterm infants with targeting a $SpO_2$ 90-94% (period II). Before the change in practice, high alarms for $SpO_2$ were set at 100% and low alarms at 95% (period I). Results: Sixty-eight infants the met enrollment criteria and 38 (56%) were born during period II, after the change in $SpO_2$ targets. Demographic characteristics, except gender, were similar between the infants born in both periods. After correcting for the effect of confounding factors, the rates for mortality, severe retinopathy of prematurity, and IVH attended to be lower than those for infants in period II. No difference in the rate of patent ductus arteriosus needed to treat was observed. Conclusion: A change in the practice guidelines aimed at avoiding low oxygen saturation and hyperoxia did not increase neonatal complication rates and showed promising results, suggesting decreased mortality and improvements in short term morbidity. It is still unclear what range of oxygen saturation is appropriate for very preterm infants but the more careful saturation targeting guideline should be considered to prevent hypoxemic events and hyperoxia.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-46
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the neonatal statistics on a national basis, data for birth characteristics and neonatal mortality were collected and analyzed from 57 hospitals in Korea. Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to determine the characteristics of neonatal births and mortality rates in 57 hospitals in Korea during 2007. We analyzed the characteristics of all inborn births and hospitalized neonates in the neonatal care units (NICUs) and compared the results with published Korean data from 1996 and 2002. Results: A total of 40,433 inborn live births were reported from the 57 hospitals during 2007. Pre-term, term, and post-term births comprised 24.2%, 75.6%, and 0.2% of the neonates, respectively. Low birth weight infants (LBWIs), very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs), and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) made up 22.0%, 4.6%, and 1.7% of the neonates, respectively. A total of 21,957 (collected by gestational period) and 21,356 (collected by birth weight) neonates were hospitalized in the 57 NICUs. Pre-term, term, and post-term neonates comprised 39.8%, 59.8%, and 0.4% of the neonates, respectively. LBWIs, VLBWIs, and ELBWIs made up 37.3%, 9.5%, and 3.3% of the neonates, respectively. Pre-term, term, and post-term neonates had mortality rates of 4.5%, 0.7%, and 3.7%, respectively, while the mortality rates of LBWIs, VLBWIs, and ELBWIs were 4.7%, 15.3%, and 32.2%, respectively. In comparison with prematurity data from 1996 and 2002, LBWIs, and ELBWIs had a marked increase in birth frequency and a decreased mortality rate in Korea during 2007. Conclusion: The number of live births and the survival rate of pre-term neonates, especially VLBWIs and ELBWIs, are increasing. Even though the outcomes of neonatal care are improving, further efforts to manage these premature infants are needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 2005

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the reference ranges of serum albumin levels depending on the gestational ages of preterm infants. We also intended to compare the mean serum albumin levels between groups of preterm infants that did not develop clinical disorders later, and groups that did develop clinical disorders such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, apnea and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We also examined the significance of serum albumin as a predictor for the development of clinical disorders. Methods : The records of 208 neonates with gestational ages from 23 weeks to 41 weeks were reviewed retrospectively. The mean albumin concentrations with reference ranges by gestational ages were determined. Statistics for each two of group were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to model odd ratio, and 95 percent confidence interval as a mean of the association between predictors and outcome. Results : Serum albumin levels were at 23-24 weeks gestation was 2.36 g/dL, rising to 3.43 g/dL in full term babies. There were significant mean differences between the clinical groups and control groups for each clinical disorder such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and apnea in premature babies of 30-36 weeks of gestation. Low serum albumin appeared to be associated with increased risks of clinical disorders. Conclusion : The normal serum albumin levels in preterm infants should be defined according to the gestational ages. Lower albumin levels increase the risks of the later development of clinical disorders, which are common in premature infants.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2000

The Low Birth Weight infant birth rate in this country is a little more than 15 percent and is being increased. The survival rate of Low Birth Weight infant is over 90 percent and recently the rate runs is getting. However, because of the high risk of Low Birth Weight infant for handicap in growth, a preventive nursing intervention program for Low Birth Weight infant and their mother is considered to be necessary. Touch and massage, thus sensory stimulation has been considered to be important ensuring a normal growth of Low Birth Weight infant During the past decades sensory stimulation program has been used for premature and Low Birth Weight infants. Recently a study on the sensory stimulation for Low Birth Weight infants has bee n done in this country. Mother and infant relationship has a great influence on child's development. Especially, mother and infant interaction during one year after birth plays important role in child's social. affective and cognitive developments. But in the study of Low Birth Weight infants, the mother and infant interaction has been rare yet. However, there was no study effectiveness of the sensory stimulation on mother and infant interaction. In this respect, this study based on the importance of the nursing intervention, is intended to measure the effectiveness of the massage therapy in the aspects of weight, daily feeding amount, cortisolurine stress hormone and mother and infant interactions. This study has been conducted on the nonequivalent control group pretestposttest design in quasi experimental basis and Low Birth Weight infants from NICU of two Medical University Hospitals located in Taegu Metropolitan were selected in experimental group of 21 infants and control group of 20 infants. Data has been collected from May 1, 1999 to September 5, 2000. For the experimental group Field's sensory stimulation(tactile and kinesthetic stimulation) was applied 2 times a day for 10 days(10:00 - 11:00 hours in the morning and 19:00 - 20:00 in the afternoon) by nurse and mother. The electronic indicator scale (Cas Co. Korea) was used to measure infant's body weight. To determine urine cortisol concentration level under stress, rad immuno assay method was used. And to determine mother and infant interactions during feeding, tools developed by Kim Mi-Ye (1999) were used. Collected data were analyzed with SAS program using x-test, t-test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Findings were as follows : 1. For the daily mean weight gain, the experimental group showed little higher than the control group, even though, there was no Statistically significant differences between two groups. 2. For the amount of daily mean feeding, the experimental group showed little higher than the control group, while there was no Statistically significant differences between two groups. 3. The level of wine cortisol concentration was increased in both groups, while no Statistical significance was shown between the two groups. 4. Mothers in experimental group were more likely to have higher mean scores in mother and infant interaction during feeding than mothers in the control group. Statistical significance was shown between the two groups(t= 5.78, P=.001). In conclusion, the massage therapy in this study showed with regard to even though through there was no statistically significance in the weight gain and urine stress hormone concentration. there was Statistical significantly higher in the mother and infant interaction during feeding. Based on the result of this study, it is considered that the massage therapy should be applied clinical practice and home to help a developmental growth and interaction of Low Birth Weight infants and mothers during the period of recovery.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.388-393
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• 2006

Purpose : We compared the pain reducing effect of orally administered glucose solution with EMLA cream and pacifiers during venipuncture in newborn infants. Methods : Fifty newborn infants(30 prematures) were enrolled in this study. We performed these four pain-reducing methods to all infants in serial order. Group A(control) did not receive any treatment; to group B, EMLA cream was applied on the skin for 1 hour; group C(or D) received 10 percent(or 30 percent) glucose solution orally; group E used pacifiers. Symptoms and signs associated with pain at venipuncture were measured with the Premature Infants Pain Profile(PIPP) scale. Results : There was no significant difference in the PIPP scores between preterm and fullterm infants. The mean PIPP scores of groups were A : $12.5{\pm}2.5$, B : $10.1{\pm}2.6$, C : $9.4{\pm}2.0$, D : $6.5{\pm}2.1$ and E : $8.7{\pm}2.3$; the mean scores of groups B, C, D and E were significantly lower than that of group A(all, P<0.001 except B(P<0.05)), and the mean score of D was significantly lower than those of B, C and E(P<0.001, P<0.005, P<0.05, respectively). The percentages of patients with PIPP scores above 6, which means pain, were A : 100 percent, B : 82 percent, C : 56 percent, D : 40 percent and E : 70 percent. The percentages of patients with PIPP scores above 12, which means severe pain, were A : 72 percent, B : 30 percent, C : 22 percent, D : 0 percent and E : 14 percent; that of group D was clearly lowest. Conclusion : These results support the use of oral glucose solution, EMLA, and pacifiers for pain reduction as effective intervention at venipuncture in newborn infants. The most effective method was a 30 percent oral glucose solution.