• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.814-821
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the maternal zinc status during pregnancy and to evaluate the relationship between the zinc concentration of maternal, umblical cord blood and placental tissue and pregnancy outcomes. Venous blood samples were drawn from 53 pregnant women just before delivery and the cord blood of their newborn babies was collected immediately after birth. In addition, placental tissues were extracted. We investigated the difference in the concentration of zinc in maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue in two gestational age groups (preform delivery group [PT] and normal term delivery group [NT]) at 34.7 wk and 39.0 wk of mean gestational age, respectively). We also assessed correlations of the zinc concentration of maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. Lastly, we studied the correlations between the birth weights and the zinc concentration in the maternal, umbilical cord blood and placental tissue. The concentrations of maternal serum zinc and of umbilical cord serum zinc were significantly higher in the PT group (76.9$\pm$37.4 $\mu/dl$, 101.3$\pm$41.4 $\mu/dl$) than in those of the NT group (57.8$\pm$22.4 $\mu/dl$, 80.7$\pm$27.5 $\mu/dl$), respectively (p<0.05). The zinc concentration of the umbilical cord blood was significantly higher than that of the maternal blood in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the gestational age and the serum zinc concentration in the cord or the maternal serum. Our results showed that there was a negative relationship between the birth weight (r=-0.286) and the maternal serum zinc concentration. Despite there not being a significant difference, there was tendency for the highest concentrations of maternal serum zinc to be associated with the lowest birth weights. These findings support a possible relationship between the maternal zinc status and the pregnancy outcome, and suggest that zinc may play a role in the many biological processes involved in the successful outcome of a pregnancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.1194-1199
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• 2003

Purpose : To determine the change in the limit of viability in fetal infants and the incidence of major complications in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) at Samsung Medical Center(SMC). Methods : Sevety-three infants weighing less than 800 g at birth and 117 infants born earlier than 27 weeks gestational age, who were admitted to NICU at SMC between November 1994 and December 2002, were enrolled. Their medical records were reviewed with a focus on the survival and major complications, including chronic lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia. The limit of viability in fetal infants was defined as the birth weight or gestational age at which a 50% survival rate is reached and the incidence of major complications were compared by period(period I : Nov. 1994-Dec. 1998, period II : Jan. 1999-Dec. 2002). Results : The limit of viability in fetal infants was markedly lowered from birth weight range of 800-900 g or gestational age range of $26^{+0}-26^{+6}$ weeks in period I to birth weight range of 600-700 g or gestational age range of $24^{+0}-24^{+6}$ weeks in period II. The incidence rates of major complications at the limit of viability were all less than 50% in period II. There was no definite trend toward increased incidence of major complications as birth weight get smaller and gestational age get younger. Conclusion : Our results indicate that at present, fetal infants whose body weight is over 600 g, or whose gestational age is over 24 weeks should be resuscitated vigorously. The risk of major complications at this birth weight or gestational age seems to be not greater than that at a bigger birth weight or an older gestational age.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 2010

Gestational age and infant birth weight are influenced by gestational weight gain. This study was aimed to examine the effects of gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes. Pregnant women were recruited at two hospitals in Seoul area. Characteristics and dietary intakes of pregnant women were obtained using 24-hour recall questionnaires. Gestational weight gain was categorized as less (Under-gain) than, within (Recommended gain), or greater (Over-gain) than the Institute of Medicine guidelines. Maternal height and pre-pregnancy weight in the over-gain group significantly higher than under-gain and recommended gain group. Mini dietary assessment score of eating bean has significantly higher in under-gain group than recommended gain group and eating kimchi has significantly higher in undergain group than over-gain group. Score of eating fruit was significantly higher in over-gain group than other groups. The mean intake of carbohydrate in the recommended gain group were significantly higher than under-gain group, and mean intake of potassium in the over-gain group were significantly higher than under-gain group. Under-gain group showed the high rate of the preterm delivery and low birth weight infant delivery. However recommended gain group showed 46% reduced risk of preterm delivery (OR = 0.54 CI = 0.30-0.98). Risk of macrosomia increased with increasing gestational weight gain (p for trend < 0.05). In conclusion, pregnancy outcomes were influenced by gestational weight gain. Therefore, these finding suggested adequate gestational weight gain according to BMI for reducing the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight and macrosomia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2009

Reduced fetal growth is independently associated with increased risk of health problems in later life, particularly type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Insulin resistance appears to be a key component underlying these metabolic complications. It is suggested that detrimental fetal environment may program insulin resistance syndrome. An insulin-resistant genotype may also result in both low birth weight and insulin resistance syndrome, and it is likely that the association of low birth weight with insulin resistance is the result of both genetic and environmental factors. Early postnatal rapid catch-up growth is closely related to risk for subsequent metabolic diseases. Fat mass is strikingly reduced in neonates born small for gestational age (SGA), and recent data suggest that insulin resistance seen in catch-up growth is related to the disproportionate catch-up in fat mass compared with lean mass. Endocrine disturbances are also recognized in SGA children, but overt clinical problems are infrequent in childhood. Cognitive impairment is reported in some children born SGA, especially those who do not show catch-up growth, in whom early neurodevelopmental evaluation is required. Breast feeding, also known to be protective against the long-term risk of obesity, may prevent some intellectual impairment in SGA children. Calorie-dense feeding does not seem to be appropriate in SGA infants. We must balance the positive effect of nutrition on neural development against rapid fat deposition and the future risk of insulin resistance.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk of perinatal morbidity, persistent short stature, and metabolic alterations in later life. Recent studies have focused on the association between birth weight (BW) and later body composition. Some reports suggest that fetal nutrition, as reflected by BW, may have an inverse programing effect on abdominal adiposity later in life. This inverse association between BW and abdominal adiposity in adults may contribute to insulin resistance. Rapid weight gain during infancy in SGA children seemed to be associated with increased fat mass rather than lean mass. Early catch-up growth after SGA birth rather than SGA itself has been noted as a cardiovascular risk factor in later life. Children who are born SGA also have a predisposition to accumulation of fat mass, particularly intra-abdominal fat. It is not yet clear whether this predisposition is due to low BW itself, rapid postnatal catch-up growth, or a combination of both. In this report, we review the published literature on central fat accumulation and metabolic consequences of being SGA, as well as the currently popular research area of SGA, including growth aspects.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.531-538
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• 2020

Purpose: Our aim was the longitudinal assessment of cyst size in fetuses with biliary cystic malformation (BCM) to explore its etiology and the possibility of antenatal differentiation between biliary atresia (BA) and congenital biliary dilatation (CBD). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed antenatally with BCM from 1994 to 2014 at our institutions. Results: The study cohort comprised of three patients with BA and six with CBD. There were no significant differences in the gestational age and cyst size at the first detection of BCM between the two groups. In fetuses with CBD, the cyst size steadily increased as the gestational age advanced, while it fluctuated around 1.5 cm and remained below 2.1 cm in those with BA. However, the ratio of cystic area to fetal trunk area was approximately constant due to linear fetal growth in fetuses with CBD. Conclusion: Fetuses with BCM <2.1 cm in the late gestation period were more likely to have BA than CBD. Our observation of cyst enlargement with advancing gestational age in the CBD group was attributed solely to fetal growth. Biliary dilatation in fetuses with CBD and BA might be completed at the onset of BCM.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 1996

This study examined characteristics among 131 infants who were born at three hospitals affiliated with Catholic University. Those infants were very low birth weight infants (VLBWI ). Data were gathered through review of medical records between 1990 to 1993. The results were as follows : 1. Regarding the birth weight, 72.6％ were between 1000 gm to 1500 gm and 27.4% were below 1000gm. Of the VLBWI, 27.5% had gestational age of 29-30 weeks and 22. lof had gestational age of 26 weeks and below. The birth weight of them was significantly correlated with their gestational age. 2. Most of VLBWI had been hospitalized for more than 30 days and particulaly those who were between 1100-1400gm had been hospitalized more than 60 days. And the number of clinical problem was the most influencing factor on their discharge. 3. Of the VLBWI, 28.2% were given gavage feeding. 4. Jaundice appeared predominantly on the 3rd day after birth ,with 64.1％ of incidence rate. Of those infants developed jaundice, 92.9% received phototherapy 5. The most common problem after birth was respiratory conditions. And oxygen therapy was administered for 93.9% of the VLBWI while they were in the hospital.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.209-212
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• 2007

This study was performed to establish the early pregnancy diagnosis with evaluation of size of embryonic vesicles and change of crown-rump length (CRL) by transrectal ultrasonography in the Korean black goats. Early pregnancy diagnosis was performed in the 114 goats from 19 to 35 days after coitus by transrectal 5.0 MHz transducer. Embryonic vesicles and CRL in the 142 goats from 19 to 42 days was measured to establish the correlation between gestational age and these parameters. The early pregnancy diagnosis achieved 80% accuracy after days 25 and 100% accuracy after days 28 after breeding. Diameters of embryonic vesicle and CRL were significantly increased with the gestational age. In these facts, early pregnancy diagnosis is possible on Days 25 after breeding and measurement of embryonic vesicles and CRL were useful to predict the gestational age in Korean black goat.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors and effects of fluctuations in oxygen saturation on the occurrence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: From January 1, 2013 to January 31, 2020, 260 patients hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of Ajou University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Sixty-six patients (25%) were diagnosed with ROP; of them 39 required treatment. In the multivariate regression analysis of ROP severity, the odds ratio (OR) of gestational age was 0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22 to 0.47; P<0.0001). The OR of saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO₂) fluctuations at the 4th week after birth was 1.02 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.12; P=0.041). Conclusion: SpO₂ fluctuations in premature infants younger than 30 weeks' gestational age affects ROP severity, especially at the 4th week of life.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.10
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• pp.538-542
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• 2021

Background: The relationship between small for gestational age (SGA) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) remains unknown. Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between SGA and the risk of ASD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to November 2020. The heterogeneity across studies was explored using the I² statistic. The possibility of publication bias was assessed using Begg test. The results were reported using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Results: The literature search yielded 824 articles with 8,752,138 participants. We assessed the association between SGA and the risk of ASD in cohort and case-control studies. Based on the random-effects model, compared with SGA, the estimated OR of the risk of ASD was 1.17 (95% CI, 1.09-1.24). Therefore, there was a significant association between SGA and the risk of ASD. Conclusion: Based on OR reports in epidemiological studies, we showed that SGA is a risk factor for and can increase the risk of ASD. The association between SGA and ASD risk has further relevance to the current public health emphasis on appropriate prepregnancy weight and pregnancy weight gain.