• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors related to developmental care performance among neonatal intensive care units (NICU) nurses. Methods: The participants were 139 nurses who had provided care to premature infants for more than 6 months and were recruited from the NICU of 8 hospitals. Data were collected from September 1 to December 1, 2017 through questionnaires that encompassed developmental care performance, developmental care perceptions, and the nursing work environment. Results: More than half (51.8%) of the participants responded that they had never received developmental care education, and for 89.6% of those who had received developmental care education, it was a one-time event. The average developmental care performance of NICU nurses was 0.81, with a range of 0.5~1 point. Multiple regression analysis, demonstrated that the nursing work environment (β=.27, p=.001) and developmental care perceptions (β=.23, p=.004) influenced developmental care performance, with a total explanatory power of 14%. Conclusion: Based on these results, developmental care education for the NICU nurses must be provided systematically. In addition, strategies to improve nurses' perceptions of developmental care and to provide appropriate support for the nursing work environment can promote developmental care performance.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.505-513
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• 2014

While the survival of extremely premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome has increased due to advanced respiratory care in recent years, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. NEC is more prevalent in lower gestational age and lower birth weight groups. It is characterized by various degrees of mucosal or transmural necrosis of the intestine. Its exact pathogenesis remains unclear, but prematurity, enteral feeding, bacterial products, and intestinal ischemia have all been shown to cause activation of the inflammatory cascade, which is known as the final common pathway of intestinal injury. Awareness of the risk factors for NEC; practices to reduce the risk, including early trophic feeding with breast milk and following the established feeding guidelines; and administration of probiotics have been shown to reduce the incidence of NEC. Despite advancements in the knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology of NEC, there is currently no universal prevention measure for this serious and often fatal disease. Therefore, new potential techniques to detect early biomarkers or factors specific to intestinal inflammation, as well as further strategies to prevent the activation of the inflammatory cascade, which is important for disease progression, should be investigated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2013

Background: Treatment for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants can consist of medical or surgical approaches. The appropriate therapeutic regimen remains contentious. This study evaluated the role of surgery in improving the survival of premature neonates weighing less than 1,500 g with PDA. Materials and Methods: From January 2008 to June 2011, 68 patients weighing less than 1,500 g with PDA were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups: a group managed only by medical treatment (group I), a group requiring surgery after medical treatment (group II), and a group requiring primary surgical treatment (group III). Results: The rate of conversion to surgical methods due to failed medical treatment was 67.6% (25/37) in the patients with large PDA (${\geq}2$ mm in diameter). The number of patients who could be managed with medical treatment was nine which was only 20.5% (9/44) of the patients with large PDA. There was no surgery-related mortality. Group III displayed a statistically significantly low rate of development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (p=0.008). The mechanical ventilation time was significantly longer in group II (p=0.002). Conclusion: Medical treatment has a high failure rate in infants weighing less than 1,500 g with PDA exceeding 2.0 mm. Surgical closure following medical treatment requires a longer mechanical ventilation time and increases the incidence of BPD. Primary surgical closure of PDA exceeding 2.0 mm in the infants weighing less than 1,500 g should be considered to reduce mortality and long-term morbidity events including BPD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1337-1341
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• 2005

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of Korean Infant Development Screening Test in predicting delayed development in premature infants. Methods : A total of 74 children with histories of prematurity, who visited the pediatric neurology clinic of Korean University Ansan Hospital from August, 2002 to July, 2004, were examined, using the Korean Infant Development Screening Test. They were divided into two groups; a normal group and a patient(neurologically compromised) group. Results : At 7 months of conceptional age, the normal and patient groups differed significantly in the fine motor, cognitive-adaptive sections. At 12 months of conceptional age both group, differed significantly in the gross motor, fine motor, personal-social, language and cognitive-adaptive sections. At 18-24 months, the group, differed significantly in gross motor, fine motor, personal-social, language and cognitive-adaptive sections. Conclusion : The Korean Developmental Screening Test was useful in predicting developmental delay in premature infants.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to compare breast feeding rates and factors influencing feeding practice between late preterm ($34{\leq}GA<37$) and preterm infants (GA<34). Methods: A survey was done of 207 late preterm and 117 preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of 4 university hospitals in D city. Data were collected from July 2009 to June 2010 from 324 medical records in the NICU. Breast-feeding at home was checked either by telephone survey or questioning during hospital visits. Results: Rate of breast feeding for late preterm infants was significantly lower than for preterm infants. There was no significant difference in breast-feeding at home. We found differences in factors influencing breast feeding between the two groups. Factors influencing feeding for late preterm infants were type of delivery, mothers' occupation, feeding type during hospitalization, time elapse from hospital discharge, total admission days, infant's body weight at first feeding and length of NPO (nothing by mouth). Factors influencing feeding for preterm infants were birth order, maternal disease and obstetric complications, and one-minute Apgar score. Conclusion: Results of the study show low rates of breast-feeding for late preterm infants indicating a need for breast-feeding education for mothers of these infants.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.80-83
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• 2008

Purpose : Inguinal hernias are common in children and sometimes are associated with dangerous complications, such as incarceration. There are no established management guidelines for ovarian hernias. We have reviewed the clinical course of ovarian hernias in infants. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of female infants diagnosed with ovarian hernias by ultrasonogram at Kwandong University College of Medicine, Cheil General Hospital, and the Women's Healthcare Center between March 2001 and August 2007. We analyzed the patients gestational age, birth weight, age at the time of detection of the inguinal mass, the patients chief complaints, operative time, post-operative complications, and ultrasonographic findings. Results : Eight female infants had ovarian hernias, four of whom were born prematurely. Seven infants had left-sided ovarian hernias, and one infant had a right-sided ovarian hernia. Five infants underwent surgery and there were no postoperative complications or recurrences. Three girls did not have surgery, and the ovarian hernias regressed spontaneously, with no recurrences or complications. The regression time of inguinal masses ranged from 70-161 days after birth. Conclusion : Physical examination to detect movable masses within the labium major in premature female infants is important because the incidence of premature inguinal hernias is much higher than in term infants. No rational medical treatment plans for female ovarian hernias have been published to date. We cared for three girls with spontaneous regression of ovarian hernias. Pediatricians should be aware whether emergent surgery for ovarian hernias is indicated.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 1987

Neonatal and obstetrical problems related to the low birth weight infants were evaluated by a retrospective review of the medical records of the 186 low birth weight infants born at Yeungnam-University Hospital during 3 years and 8 months from May 1, 1983 to February 28, 1987. The results were as follows ; 1. The incidence of the low birth weight infants was 4.98% among 3803 live births. 2. Male to female ratio was 1.02:1. 3. The incidence of the low birth weight infants was lowest in mothers of 25 to 29 years, increased in mothers of 19 years of less and 30 to 39 years significantly. 4. There was no difference in the incidence of low birth weight infants between primiparous and multiparous mothers. 5. Common obstetrical complications associated with low weight infants were multiple pregnancy, toxemia and premature rupture of membrane in order of frequency. 6. Common neonatal problems in low birth weight infants were jaundice, idiopathic respiratory, distress syndrome, asphyxia and metabolic dfrangement such as hypocalcemia and hypoglycemia in order of frequency.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.10
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• pp.386-394
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• 2019

Background: Preterm infants have difficulty maintaining body temperature after birth. However, clinical guidelines advocate that neonatal body temperature should be maintained at 36.5℃-37.5℃. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the incidence of admission hypothermia in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and to determine the association of admission temperature with in-hospital mortality and morbidities. Methods: A cohort study using prospectively collected data involving 70 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that participate in the Korean Neonatal Network. From registered infants born between January 2013 and December 2015, 5,343 VLBW infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestation were reviewed. Results: The mean admission temperature was 36.1℃±0.6℃, with a range of 31.9℃ to 38.4℃. Approximately 74.1% of infants had an admission hypothermia of <36.5℃. Lower birth weight, intubation in the delivery room and Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes were significantly related to admission hypothermia. The mortality was the lowest at 36.5℃-37.5℃ and adjusted odd ratios for all deaths increased to 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.83), 1.44 (95% CI, 1.05-1.97) and 1.86 (95% CI, 1.22-2.82) for infants with admission temperatures of 36.0℃-36.4℃, 35.0℃-35.9℃, and <35.0℃, respectively. Admission hypothermia was also associated with high likelihoods of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, proven sepsis, pulmonary hemorrhage, air-leak, seizure, grade 3 or higher intraventricular hemorrhage and advanced retinopathy of prematurity requiring laser therapy. Conclusion: A large portion of preterm infants in Korea had hypothermia at NICU admission, which was associated with high mortality and several important morbidities. More aggressive interventions aimed at reducing hypothermia are required in this high-risk population.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.128-137
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• 2016

This study aimed to investigate the effect of kangaroo care on physical development adaptation of external environment of prematurity, and maternal role confidence of those who delivered preterm infants. The subjects were 38 preterm infants and mothers with cesarean section delivery in the hospital, located at B city. Eighteen premature infants were assigned to the kangaroo care (KC) group or the control group (CG). Data were collected between June 2013 and June 2015. KC was given 3 times a day (60 min at a time) and performed a total of 10 times. The physical development indicator (weight, height, and head circumference) as well as the adaptation of external environment (temperature, heart rate, oxygenation) of preterm infants were checked before the start of the program. Following the initial measurement, the program was performed, and measurements were taken again at the end of the program. For measurement of maternal role confidence, structured self-reported questionnaires were performed. The results showed that the KC group had a lower oxygenation compared with the CG (t=2.27, p=.02); however, the physical development indicator (weight t=-0.83, p=.21, height t=-0.34, p=.37, head circumference t=1.29, p=.10) and maternal role confidence (t=-0.41, p=.34) were not significantly compared with the CG. The results of this study suggest that the practice of KC helps the adaptation of external environment of preterm infants

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study was ro identify the effects of an oral stimulation program on premature infant's oral feeding performance. Methods : The subject was one premature infant(25wks). Oran stimulation program consisting of stimulation of the oral structures involved stroking the cheeks, lips, gums, and tongue. Oral feeding performance factors were weight, overall intake per day, overall intake per one time, overall time per one time. Each factors was measured weekly. Results : The subject's weight were higher than pre-intervention. The overall intake per day, overall intake per one time were increased. And overall time per one time was shorter than pre-intervention. Conclusion The results indicate that oral stimulation program for premature infant was helpful oral feeding. Thus oral stimulation program can be use in home and practice setting.