• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.86-96
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• 1998

Newborn period is a transitional stage for independent adaptation from intrauterine to extrauterine life by maintaining respiration, temperature and nutrition. In general, the adaptability of the newborn is proportional to the gestational age(GA), so knowing the accurate GA is critical to develop nursing process in the newborn nursery. A newborn ma turity rating, a Ballard examination, has been used to measure GA by assessing the maturity of new-born. It consists a total of 12 items, which is the 6 items for the neuromuscular maturity and the 6 items for the physical maturity A total of 75 new-born were assessed for the maturity and GA using the Ballard examination. The results are follows : 1) The score of each item of Ballard examination is propotional to GA using the Ballard examination as well as LMP. 2) There was a greater positive relationship between neuromuscular, physical and total maturity, and the GA measured by Ballard examination, than the GA measured by LMP. 3) Any stressful environment to the newborn could influence to the maturity of newborn. In summary, the study showed the Ballard examination Is more reliable and clincially feasible method to measure the accurate G4 compared to the GA by LMP. Therefore, it suggests the application of Ballard examination to measure the new born maturity and GA is beneficial in developing nursing process. The expansion of the study with the variety of the subject characteristics nil on hance the clinical applicability of the examination.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.273-276
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• 2014

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) during pregnancy is quite rare, however it has a high maternal mortality rate. A pregnant woman in the 16th gestational week was admitted to our hospital with a drowsy level of consciousness. A brain magnetic resonance (MR) image showed hemorrhage on the prepontine cistern, and both sylvian fissures, and MR angiography and cerebral digital subtraction angiography demonstrated an aneurysm at the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). We performed endovascular coil embolization attempting to minimize radiation exposure. She was discharged with no neurologic deficit and delivered a healthy baby by cesarean section at the 38th week of gestation. This case study reported the shortest gestational period and this is the first report on an aneurysmal rupture arising from PICA which was treated using an endovascular method. Using an appropriate technique for reduced radiation exposure to the fetus and limited alterations in maternal-fetal physiology, endovascular coil embolization could guarantee good results in treatment of aneurysmal SAH in pregnant women.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.65-77
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• 2013

This study was aimed at (1) investigating expectant mothers' prenatal attachment according to variables (age, gestational weeks, perceived health condition, anticipating the gender of the fetus, marriage duration, and parity), (2) analyzing correlations among their prenatal attachment, spousal support, and parenting efficacy, and (3) examining the role of prenatal attachment as a mediator between spousal support and parenting efficacy. For this purpose, 221 expectant mothers living in Seoul completed a 55-item survey. The collected data were analyzed by t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and regression analyses. The findings of this study were as follows. First, among the variables, gestational weeks, perceived health condition, marriage duration, and parity showed significant differences in the scores for the overall prenatal attachment and subordinate factors. Second, there were positive correlations between the expectant mothers' prenatal attachment and spousal support and between their prenatal attachment and parenting efficacy. Third, the expectant mothers' prenatal attachment proved to mediate between spousal support and parenting efficacy. These findings shed light on the significance of prenatal attachment and spousal support during the pregnancy period; therefore, it is essential to develop education programs for expecting parents to enhance prenatal attachment and spousal support and to conduct follow-up studies to verify the effectiveness of the programs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.3 s.35
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• pp.356-362
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• 1991

This study was performed to identify the maternal risk factors for the low birth weight. During the period from February to June in 1991, the medical record review and questionnaire interview were conducted upon the 465 pregnant women who were admitted to and delivered a baby in 3 general hospitals and an obstetric hospital in Kwangju area. The health and other related information from women who bore the low birth weight infant was compared with those from women who bore the normal birth weight infant. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Maternal age, low body weight at term, illegitimate birth, and maintaining work activity during pregnancy were positively associated with low birth weight. 2. The positive association was revealed between low birth weight and the previous abortion, short gestational weeks, anemia, low maternal weight gain during pregnancy, the obstetric present illness and hypertension. 3. Some maternal working conditions were associated with low birth weight although statistically not significant. 4. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, gestational weeks and maternal weight gain during pregnancy were related with low birth weight.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 1998

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with Q-35 at the dose levels of 0, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day by oral gavage from gestation day 17 to lactation period. Effects of the test chemical on general findings, reproductive performance of dams and development of Fl generation were examined. There were no treatment related changes in physical signs, body weight, necropsy findings, organ weights, delivery and nursing behavior. In 100 and 300 mg/fg/day treated groups, the food consumption of dams was decreased significantly during gestational day 19~21. The gestation length of 300 mg/tg/day treated group was increased significantly compared to the control group (22.3 $\pm$0.48 vs 22.0$\pm$0.39). Although the gestational length of all groups were in normal range of the rat, potential effect of the drug could not be ruled out. External anomaly of Fl fetus induced by Q-35 was not detected in any groups. There were no treaoent related changes in physical development, reflex functions, sensory functions, locomotor activity and motor coordinating activity. Estrus cycle, fertility and reproductive performance of Fl were not changed in all treated groups. There was no external abnormality related to the drug administration on the examination of F2. These results suggest that Q-35 has no adverse effect on the peri- and postnatal period in rats except the reduction of food consumption at the beginning of drug administration and the potential effect on the elongation of gestation length.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.318-325
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• 2021

Purpose: Although insulin is usually injected into the abdominal subcutaneous fat, in pregnancy women tend to avoid abdominal injections due to concern about fetal damage. Prior studies have been limited to only measuring skin-subcutaneous fat thickness (S-ScFT) at one site at specific pregnancy points. This study aimed to measure S-ScFT across several abdominal sites and over the gestational period in Korean pregnant women. This can identify which site would be relatively safe for subcutaneous injection during pregnancy. Methods: Healthy women over 24 weeks of pregnancy in Korea were invited to voluntarily participate in this descriptive study. For the 142 women, S-ScFT of 12 sites in the abdomen were measured by ultrasound, several times over the pregnancy. Each incidence was treated as a case and a total of 262 cases were analyzed. Results: The mean S-ScFT during pregnancy was 1.14±0.47 cm (1.25±0.54 cm at 24⁺⁰-27⁺⁶ weeks; 1.17±0.48 cm at 28⁺⁰-31⁺⁶ weeks; 1.09+0.40 cm at 32⁺⁰-35⁺⁶ weeks; and 1.06±0.47 cm at 36⁺⁰-40 weeks of pregnancy). Most S-ScFT were thicker than 10 mm. But S-ScFTs in the lateral abdomen and some sites were suboptimal (<6 mm), especially in the pre-pregnancy underweight body mass index group, who had a high rate of suboptimal thickness (27.1% overall and 33.9% in the lateral side). Conclusion: The whole abdomen seems to be appropriate for subcutaneous injection in most Korean women during pregnancy, with a 4 to 5-mm short needle. However, for the lateral abdomen, making the skin fold might be needed for fetal safety.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2005

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) were added to AFP to make what is commonly known as the Triple test. The Triple test combines results from these three tests and has been a standard screening procedure for several years. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of adding inhibin-A to Down's syndrome risk assessment. The Quad test adds dimeric Inhibin-A (DIA) to the three other markers and uses the same computer program to calculate risk factors. Testing was performed between 14 and 21 weeks of gestation. Sample size were 648 samples and period of study was from 1, July, 2004 to 30, September, 2004. Used analytical methods for AFP, hCG and uE3 were radioimmunoassay (RIA) and dimeric inhibin A was enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adding dimeric inhibin-A as a fourth marker to the standard triple test increases the detection rate from 62 % to 75 % with a false-positive rate of 5%. The DIA based Quad test has been shown to be the most effective second trimester screening test for Down's syndrome suitable for routine use. Increased DIA values are observed during normal pregnancy where a bimodal pattern response is seen. Values increase during the first trimester, decline after 14 weeks, and re-ascend between 17-25 weeks. Values for DIA may be additionally elevated during a Down's syndrome pregnancy. Dimeric inhibin A is a glycoprotein hormone made by the ovary and placenta. DIA levels are twice as high in Down's syndrome pregnancies. AFP, hCG, and uE3 levels vary with gestational age, and incorrect gestational dating will influence results. DIA levels do not vary substantially with gestational age, resulting in greater screening accuracy. Although the Quad test is an improvement over the Triple test, it is important to underscore the fact that a positive test on both should be done. Most women who initially screen positive will be found to be carrying normal babies when amniocentesis and definitive diagnostic chromosome analysis are done.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness(ASFT) and maternal gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) measured by ultrasound at period of pregnancy. We compared maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and weight gain during pregnancy in 286 pregnant women who were diagnosed with early pregnancy ASFT and high GDM screening test(50 g OGTT) of more than 140 mg/dL. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the cut-off value of ASFT for GDM prediction. Maternal age and weight gain during pregnancy were not related to GDM in the mid-trimester and pre-pregnancy body mass index and earely pregnancy ASFT were significantly different between normal and GDM high risk groups. The cut-off value of ASFT for GDM prediction was 2.23 cm(AUC 0.913. Sensitivity 76.19%, Specificity 93.72%). ASFT measured by ultrasound in early pregnancy was useful as an important index for predicting mid-trimester GDM prediction. Therefore, ASFT can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic index for early recognition of GDM.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.205-212
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• 2004

Weight change in the postpartum period is a dominant concern of new mothers recently. Postpartum weight retention has important public health implications as well, because retention of gestational weight can be a significant contributor to longterm obesity and associated health risks. As traditional medical practitioners have managed some problems from postpartum weight retention, use some terms translated in Korean like as postpartumedema, obesity. But those have been not given any discuss objective and with evidences for nomenclature. Now reports review normal postpartum weight loss patterns, as well as risk factors for weight retention, ancient literatures, so practitioners can assist their patients in achieving a healthy postpartum weight.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.419-431
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to provide the correct knowledge on GDM(Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) to nurses for effective care of pregnant women with GDM by investigating the knowledge of nurses about GDM. The subjects of this study were 557 nurses who work at six general hospitals in Seoul and Gyung-Gi province of Korea. The data were collected from November, 2000 to December, 2000, using a 30-item knowledge questionnaire about GDM consisted of eight areas developed by Choi et al. (2000): characteristics and diagnosis, influence on pregnancy, goal and method of management, diet therapy, exercise therapy, insulin therapy, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and postpartum care of GDM. The data were analyzed by SAS program for t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test. The results were as follows: 1. The mean score of knowledge on GDM was 23.18. 2. There were significant differences according to age(p= 0.002), education background (p= 0.045). working period(p= 0.000), working unit(p= 0000), working experience of obstetric and gynecologic (OS & GY) units(p= 0.000), experience of pregnancy (p=0.003) and experience of delivery (p=0.014) in GDM knowledge. 3. The level of each area on GDM knowledge was as follows; 1) Area of characteristics and diagnosis of GDM The mean score of this area was 0.79. Nurses' knowledges were significantly different by age(p=0.003), marital status (p=0.018), working period(p=0.002) working unit(p=0.007), working experience of OB & GY units(p=0.005), experience of pregnancy(p=0.034) and experience of delivery(p=0.033). 2) Area of influence on pregnancy The mean score of this area was 0.93. Nurses' knowledges were significantly different by age(p=0.006), working unit (p=0.000) and working experience of OB & GY units(p= 0.000). 3) Area of goal and method of management The mean score of this area was 0.70. Nurses' knowledges were significantly different by age(p=0.004), region(p=0.006), education background(p=0.013), marital status(p=0.007), working period(p=0.000), working unit(p=0.011), working experience of OB & GY units(p=0.002), experience of pregnancy(p=0.025) and experience of delivery(p=0.043). 4) Area of diet therapy. The mean score of this area was 0.74. Nurses' knowledges were significantly different by age(p=0.002), region(p=0.011), marital status (p=0.001). working period (p=0.007). working unit(p=0.002), working experience of OB & GY units(p=0.001), experience of pregnancy(p=0.001), experience of delivery(p=0.011) and diabetes patients in family members(p=0.032). 5) Area of exercise therapy. The mean score of this area was 0.83. There were not significant differences in all general characteristics. 6) Area of insulin therapy The mean score of this area was 0.61. Nurses' knowledges were significant differences by age (p=0.024), marital status (p=0.048), working period(p=0.027), working unit(p=0.002), working experience of OB & GY units(p=0.000), experience of pregnancy (p=0.047) and experience of delivery(p=0.040). 7) Area of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The mean score of this area was 0.83. Nurses' knowledges were significantly different by marital status (p=0.027), working period(p=0.001). experience of pregnancy(p=0.020) and experience of delivery(p=0.010). 8) Area of postpartum care The mean score of this area was 0.69. Nurses' knowledges were significantly different by working unit(p=0.000), working experience of OB & GY units (p=0.000) and working experience of medical unit(p=0.047). The results of this study are suggested that nurses might be taught systemically and individually about GDM so that they can become more proficient in detecting and preventing GDM, and therefore they will feel confident to teach GDM to women.