• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2000

Background: This study was aimed at analyzing the preoperative conditions post-operative results indication and methods of surgical closure of patent ducturs arterio년 in prematures low birth weight infants and neonates. Patients and Methods: We retro-spectively studied two groups of patients (prematures group and neonates group) who underwent surgical closure of the patent ductus arteriosus between March 1995 and June 1998. Results: The premature group consisted of 9 patients(3 males and 6 females) Their mean gestational period was 30.7 weeks(ranging from 26 weeks to 33 weeks) mean age 27.8 days(11 days to 55 days) and mean body weight 1.56 kg. Prominent preoperative symptoms were dependency on mechanical ventilation generalized edema and hepatomegaly. We performed PDA ligation via thoracotomy in all premature patients. The neonate group consisted of 16 patients and their mean body weight was 3.75 kg. Major symptoms of this group was tachypnea and intercostal retraction resistant to medical treatment. We performed video-assisted PDA clipping to them all. There were no postoperative complications or operation-related mortality in both groups. Comparing the ratio of size of PDA(mm)/body weight(kg) the ratio of premature group (ligation through thoracotomy) was higher than that of neonate group ( video-assisted clipping) that is 3,89:1.21(p=0.03) Conclusion : We conclude that the surgical closure of PDA can be a safe method of treatment for prematures low birth weight infants and neonates with compromised general conditions. Choice of surgical technique depends on the surgeon's preference but there was a tend-ency to choose the ligation method through thoracotomy for patients with small body weight and large PDA.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.865-878
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• 1999

With advances in neonatal medicine, smaller and sicker infants are surviving premature birth. As these tiny patients battle for their lives, their parents also struggle with psychological consequences of an unexpected role. The birth of a sick infants has long been documented as stressful events for the parents. High stress levels may alter parents' interaction with their baby and impair their communication with health professionals, which can in turn affect parents' participation in care planning and decision making. Nursing interventions aimed at reducing the parental stress and anxiety levels during this crisis may have a positive impact on their ability to form an attatchment to their baby and make prudent decisions about his care. The planning of such interventions would be inhanced if the contributions of various factors to increased parental stress levels were identified. This descriptive study was conducted to understand the contents and degree of parental stress in the NICU during their premature's hospitalization, and to give a baseline data in developing nursing intervention program. Subjects were the 60 mother of hospitalized newborn in NICU of 2 University Hospital in Taejon City from April 1st, 1999 to June 30th, 1999, who agreed to take part in this study. The instrument used in this study were Parental Stressor Scales:NICU(PSS:NICU) developed by Miles et al.. and validated by 3 NICU practitioners and 3 child health nursing faculties. The questionnaire has 4 dimensions and 45 items; sight and sounds of NICU(5 items), babies' appearance and behavior nursing intervention(19 items), parental role alteration and relationship with their baby(10 items), health team communication(11 items). The questionnaire asks parents to rate each item on a five-point Likert type scale that ranges from "not stressful" (1) to "extremely stressfu1"(5). Total scores representing overall stress from the NICU environment are calculated by summing response to each item. A high score indicates high stress. A subscale score is calculated by summing the responses to each item in the subscale. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ coefficients were .93. The data was analyzed as average, Frequency, Standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient by use of SPSS/PC+. The results of this study is summarized as follows ; 1. The total perceived stress level score of mothers of premature baby was slightly high($3.66{\pm}1.1$). The highest scored dimension was 'relationship with their baby and parental role change'($4.21{\pm}0.9$), and next were 'appearance and behavior of the baby'($3.92{\pm}1.1$), 'communication with health team'($3.32{\pm}1.3$), 'sight and sounds of NICU'($3.30{\pm}1.1$). 2. There were statistically significant correlation noted ; mother's perceived severity of the baby's condition(F=8.0012, P= .0125) and baby's gestational age(r = -.4724, P = .0500). In summary, information about physical environment of NICU, the mother's perceived severity of premature baby's state, maternal role change related variables and the knowledge of characteristics of premature baby must be included in nursing intervention program of mother's of premature baby in reducing the parental stress and anxiety level. It is suggested that each NICU needs to develop a nurse managed supportive care program for parents of premature baby. Also, it is suggested that there need to investigate the coping mechanism of mother of premature baby.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.101-109
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• 2014

The use of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the perinatal period is suspected of being associated with adverse effects on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for preterm infants. Repeated administration of antenatal GCs to mothers at risk of preterm birth may adversely affect fetal growth and head circumference. Fetal exposure to excess GCs during critical periods of brain development may profoundly modify the limbic system (primarily the hippocampus), resulting in long-term effects on cognition, behavior, memory, co-ordination of the autonomic nervous system, and regulation of the endocrine system later in adult life. Postnatal GC treatment for chronic lung disease in premature infants, particularly involving the use of dexamethasone, has been shown to induce neurodevelopmental impairment and increases the risk of cerebral palsy. In contrast to studies involving postnatal dexamethasone, long-term follow-up studies for hydrocortisone therapy have not revealed adverse effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes. In experimental studies on animals, GCs has been shown to impair neurogenesis, and induce neuronal apoptosis in the immature brains of newborn animals. A recent study has demonstrated that dexamethasone-induced hypomyelination may result from the apoptotic degeneration of oligodendrocyte progenitors in the immature brain. Thus, based on clinical and experimental studies, there is enough evidence to advice caution regarding the use of GCs in the perinatal period; and moreover, the potential long-term effects of GCs on brain development need to be determined.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.79-84
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• 2019

Newborn infants, including premature infants, are high-risk patients susceptible to various microorganisms. Catheter-related bloodstream infections are the most common type of nosocomial infections in this population. Regular education and training of medical staffs are most important as a preventive strategy for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Bundle approaches and the use of checklists during the insertion and maintenance of central catheters are effective measures to reduce the incidence of CLABSIs. Chlorhexidine, commonly used as a skin disinfectant before catheter insertion and dressing replacement, is not approved for infants <2 months of age, but is usually used in many neonatal intensive care units due to the lack of alternatives. Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing and bathing, recommended for adults, cannot be applied to newborns. Appropriate replacement intervals for dressing and care sets are similar to those recommended for adults. Umbilical catheters should not be used longer than 5 days for the umbilical arterial catheter and 14 days for the umbilical venous catheter. It is most important to regularly educate, train and give feedback to the medical staffs about the various preventive measures required at each stage from before insertion to removal of the catheter. Continuous efforts are needed to develop effective and safe infection control strategies for neonates and young infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.251-256
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• 2014

Severe intraventricular hemorrhaging (IVH) in premature infants and subsequent posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) causes significant mortality and life-long neurological complications, including seizures, cerebral palsy, and developmental retardation. However, there are currently no effective therapies for neonatal IVH. The pathogenesis of PHH has been mainly explained by inflammation within the subarachnoid spaces due to the hemolysis of extravasated blood after IVH. Obliterative arachnoiditis, induced by inflammatory responses, impairs cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resorption and subsequently leads to the development of PHH with ensuing brain damage. Increasing evidence has demonstrated potent immunomodulating abilities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in various brain injury models. Recent reports of MSC transplantation in an IVH model of newborn rats demonstrated that intraventricular transplantation of MSCs downregulated the inflammatory cytokines in CSF and attenuated progressive PHH. In addition, MSC transplantation mitigated the brain damages that ensue after IVH and PHH, including reactive gliosis, cell death, delayed myelination, and impaired behavioral functions. These findings suggest that MSCs are promising therapeutic agents for neuroprotection in preterm infants with severe IVH.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.561-564
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• 2005

Isolated deficiency of 3-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase is a rare disorder of the catabolic pathway for leucine and many patients have mild symptoms or no symptom. However, the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry in newborn screening has revealed an unexpectedly high incidence of this disorder. We report an asymptomatic premature infant with isolated 3-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase deficiency detected by newborn screening program using tandem mass spectrometry. She was born at preterm, 36 weeks of gestation and her birth weight was 1,912 gm. She was delivered by Cesarian section due to maternal preeclampsia and oligohydramnios. An elevation of 3-hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine in a blood sample obtained at Seven days was detected by tandem mass screening. Massively elevated excretion of 3-hydroxyisovalerate and 3-methylcrotonylglycine was detected in the urine collected at 15 days. L-carnitine(100 mg/kg/day) was administrated orally to correct sencondary carnitine deficiency. Carnitine is conjugated with metabolites, to decrease the potential toxic effects. She is asymptomatic to date, and her growth and development are within normal limits.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.160-166
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• 1994

Mid-arm circumference and mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio(MAC/HC) were measured in 207 AGA(appropriate for gestational age) infants delivered at 26 to 42 weeks of gestation from January 1990 to December 1993 in Yeungnam University Hospital, Taegu, Korea. There were linear relationships between MACs and MAC/HC ratios and gestational age(MAC : y=0.3181x - 2.2069, r=0.81, p<0.001 ; MAC/HC ratio : y=0.0049x+0.1128, r=0.62, ; < 0.001). Using standard curves of MAC and MAC/HC ratio according to the gestational age, measurement of MAC or MAC/HC ratio can be a noninvasive, simple method to evaluate the intrauterine growth of newborn infants and the nutritional status of growing premature infants.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.598-602
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• 2010

Transient hyperammonemia in a newborn is an overwhelming disease manifested by hyperammonemic coma. The majority of affected newborns are premature and have mild respiratory syndrome. The diagnosis may be difficult to determine. This metabolic disorder is primarily characterized by severe hyperammonemia in the postnatal period, coma, absence of abnormal organic aciduria and normal activity of the enzymes of the urea cycle. Hyperammonemic coma may develop within 2-3 days of life, although its etiology is unknown. Laboratory studies reveal marked hyperammonemia (>$4,000{\mu}mol/L$). The degree of neurologic impairment and developmental delay in this disorder depends on the duration of hyperammonemic coma. Moreover, the infant may succumb to the disease if treatment is not started immediately and continued vigorously. Hyperammonemic coma as a medical emergency requires dialysis therapy. Here, we report a case of severe transient hyperammonemia in a preterm infant (35 week of gestation) presented with respiratory distress, seizure, and deep coma within 48 hours and required ventilatory assistance and marked elevated plasma ammonia levels. He survived with aggressive therapy including peritoneal dialysis, and was followed 2 years later without sequelae.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2014

The measurement of $17{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone ($17{\alpha}$-OHP) in a dried blood spot on filter paper is an important for screening of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Since high levels of $17{\alpha}$-OHP are frequently observed in premature infants without congenital adrenal hyperplasia, we evaluated cuts-off based on birth weight and performed validation. Birth weight and $17{\alpha}$-OHP concentration data of 292,204 newborn screening subjects in Greencross labopratories were analyzed. The cut-off values based on birth weight were newly evaluated and validated with the original data. The mean $17{\alpha}$-OHP concentration were 7.25 ng/mL in very low birth weight (VLBW) group, 4.02 ng/mL in low birth weight (LBW) group, 2.53 g/mL in normal birth weight (NBW) group, and 2.24 ng/mL in heavy birth weight (HBW) group. The cut-offs for CAH were decided as follows: 21.12 ng/mL for VLBW and LBW groups and 11.14 ng/mL for NBW and HBW groups. When applied new cut-offs for original data, positive rates in VLBW and LBW groups were decreased and positive rates in NBW and HBW groups were increased. The cut-offs based on birth weight should be used in the screening for CAH. We believe that our new cut-off reduce the false positive rate and false negative rate and our experience for cut-off set up and validation will be helpful for other laboratories doing newborn screening test.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2022

We report a case of successful treatment of congenital syphilis in an extremely preterm baby. A 1,395 g female infant was born by emergency Caesarean section due to preterm labor and breech presentation at gestational age at 29 weeks and 3 days with an Apgar score of 2 and 4 at 1 minute and 5 minutes, respectively. The mother of the newborn, an illegal immigrant who did not receive any antenatal care, was diagnosed as active syphilis infection by reactive rapid plasma regain (RPR) (titer 1:128) just before the delivery. Upon birth, the newborn presented with various clinical manifestations, including severe respiratory distress syndrome, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, desquamation and scaling of the whole body, and osteolytic changes of long bone ends. Results of laboratory tests showed signs of early congenital syphilis, including positive syphilis reagin test (12.7 R.U.), reactive with RPR titer of 1:64, and positive for immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test. However, after completion of penicillin G treatment for two weeks, laboratory results dramatically improved, showing a negative syphilis reagin test (0.5 R.U.) and non-reactive in RPR. In conclusion, the incidence of congenital syphilis is prone to be resurgent in South Korea, neonatologists should be fully aware of the clinical features of congenital syphilis because early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential in order to reduce the social and economic burden due to congenital syphilis.