• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2001

Purpose We performed urinary mass screening(UMS) program for 2,804 children of second grade elemantary school 8 years of age in Paju city with cooperation of Paju City Health Center to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria, and to estimate the risk of incipient renal diseases. Also we attempted to evaluate the significance of hematuria in UMS in addidtion to proteinuria. Methods : 2,804 children of the 2nd grade of elementary school who lived in Paju city were included to our UMS program in 2000. They were constituted with 1,428 boys and 1,376 girls. The screening program was carried out in 3 steps The 1st screenig test was performed at schools and then students with abnormal results were examined repeatedly at Paju City Health Center and our hospital. Those students who showed proteinuria and/or hematuria in the 1st and 2nd test were referred to our hospital to undertake the 3rd close examination including physical examination, laboratory tests and radiologic tests. Results : (I) The prevalence of urinary abnormality in the 1st screening test was $8.3\%$(233 students), comprised of $5.9\%$ of boys, $10.8\%$ of girls. (2) Among 2,804 children tested in the first screening, prevalences of asymptomatic proteinuria and isolated hematuria were 64($2.3\%$), 163($5.8\%$) respectively, and the prevalence of proteinuria with hematuria was 6($0.2\%$). (3) Among 233 students with urinary abnormalities at the 1st screening test, 102 students applied to the 2nd test. 32 children, about one third of them, were also found to have abnormal urinary findings ; isolated hematuria 30, proteinuria with hematuria 2. (4) Those findings of clinical evaluation for children with isolated hematuria at the hospital showed as follows: idiopathic isolated microscopic hematuria 21, normal 6, urinary tract infection 1, idiopathic hypercalciuria 1 and simple renal cyst 1. Those 2 students with proteinuria and hematuria seemed to have chronic glomerulonephritis. Conclusion : (1) The clinical evaluation for children who showed positive results at the 1st screening test should be done judiciously. Because of high false positive rate, almost who showed positive results was normal, only a few of them had pathologic conditions. In this study, actual incidence of incipient renal diseases in children of 8 year old was calculated to be $0.4\%$. (2) The definite conclusion whether a urinary mass screening test can alter the prognosis of incipient renal diseases could not be drawn with this study. Further study must be necessary (3) We could acknowledge the significance of hematuria in UMS, but it is necessary that one should be judicious in managing and follow-up those that show abnormal results. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001;5 : 156-63)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2008

Purpose : The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic response to cyclosporine, time to remission and side effects in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Methods : This study included 22 children with idiopathic SRNS who were treated with cyclosporine between June 1989 and August 2006. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age of patients at diagnosis was $5.2{\pm}3.3\;years$. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Pre-treatment renal biopsies showed minimal change (MCD) in 12 (54.5%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 8 (36.4%), membranous nephropathy (MGN) in one (4.5%) and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in one (4.5%). 15 (68.2%) patients responded to cyclosporine, of whom 11 (91.6%) patients were MCD, 3 (37.5%) patients FSGS, and 1 patient MGN (MCD vs FSGS, P<0.05). The time to remission in patients who responded to cyclosporine was $31.5{\pm}15.2\;days$. Four of the 15 cyclosporine responders maintained complete remission even after cessation of the medication Seven still received cyclosporine, 2 were intermittently treated with steroids after discontinuation of cyclosporine, and two were treated with cyclosporine and steroids. The mean duration of cyclosporine therapy was $546.5{\pm}346.2$, $1,392.9{\pm}439.7$, $439.5{\pm}84.1$, and $433.5{\pm}74.2$ days, respectively. We performed post-treatment biopsies in 8 patients and partial interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were found in two. Conclusion : The thrapeutic response of cyclosporine is good in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, especially in minimal change. But, there is a problem of long term cyclosporine dependency.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.624-640
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• 2006

Dialysis patients are at risk of malnutrition not only because of losses of nutrients during peritoneal dialysis but also because of anorexia that results in inadequate nutrient intakes. The aim of this study was to estimate the nutritional status of 154 patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), especially focused on protein-energy malnutrition and vitamin and mineral status. The mean age of the subjects was $5.12\;{\pm}\;12.4\;y$ with educational years of $12.3\;{\pm}\;0.4\;y$ for male and $9.6\;{\pm}\;0.4\;y$ for female. The mean duration of dialysis was $22.7\;{\pm}\;21.7\;mo$. The causes of renal failure included diabetes (32.7), chronic glomerulonephritis (15.0%), and hypertension (8.5%). The main complications associated with chronic renal failure were hypertension (86.1%), diabetes (35.4%) and liver disease (9.0%). The mean daily energy intake was $1216.8\;{\pm}\;457.3\;kcal$ and increased to $1509.2\;{\pm}\;457.2\;kcal$ when added with the energy from dextrose in dialysate. The latter was still much lower than estimated energy requirement but energy intake per kg of body weight (28.1 kcal/1 g) was within the range of that recommended for CAPD patients' diet therapy (25 - 30 kcal/kg). The average daily intake of protein was $49.2\;{\pm}\;25.1\;g$ with 37.6% of the patients showing their intakes less than Estimated Average Requirement. The average protein intake per kg of weight was 0.9 g/kg, which is less than that recommended for CAPD patients (1.2-1.5g/kg) with mean serum albumin level $3.2\;{\pm}\;0.5\;g/dl$. The proportion of the patients with dietary calcium intake less than EAR was 90.9%, but when added with supplementary calcium (phosphorus binder), most patients showed their total calcium intake between EAR and UL. Fifty percent of the patients were observed with dietary iron intake less than EAR, however most patients revealed their total iron intake with supplementation above UL. The addition of folic acid with supplementation increased mean total folic intake to $1126.0\;{\pm}\;152.4\;{\mu}g$ and ninety eight percent of the subjects showed their total folic acid intake above UL. The prevalence of anemia was 83.1 % assessed with hemoglobin level, even with high intakes of iron with supplementation. Thirty four percent of the patients showed their fasting blood glucose was not under control $(\geq\;126\;mg/dl)$ even with medication or insulin probably due to dextrose from dialysate. The mean blood lipid levels were within the reference levels of hyperlipidemia, but with 72.1 % of the patients showing lower HDL-C. In conclusion, Fairly large proportion of the patients were observed with protein malnutrition with low intake of protein and serum albumin level. Few patients showed their vitamins and minerals intake less than EAR with supplementation. For iron and folic acid, their intakes were increased to above UL for large proportion of he patients. However, more than eighty percent of the patients were still anemic associated with decreased renal function. The serum blood glucose and lipid level were not under control for some patients with medication. It seems that supplementation and medications that patients are taking should be considered for dietary consulting of CAPD patients.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 1998

Purpose : To find and solve the common problems of peritoneal dialysis(PD) by analysing the clinical data of pediatric PD performed in Korea. Methods : 264 cases of CAPD and acute PD had been performed from Nov.1987 to Oct. 1997 in 17 institutions of pediatric nephrology in Korea. Results : CAPD was performed in 114 cases. The mean age of the patients was $10.5{\pm}6.6$ years and male to female ratio was 1.4:1. The original renal diseases of ESRD were proven in 92 cases($80\%$). The common renal disease of ESRD were FSGS($17\%$), reflux nephropathy ($11\%$), chronic glomerulonephritis($9.6\%$). Mean duration of CAPD was $20{\pm}16.9$ months. Peritonitis was the most common complication and incidence was one episode/18.2 patient-months. Other complications were exit site infection in 10 cases, obstruction in 7 cases, leakage of dialysate in 6 cases. The most common etiologic organism of peritonitis was staphylococcus aureus and the next was staphylococcus coagulase(-). Acute PD was performed in 150 cases. Most common underlying causes were congenital heart disease, hemolytic uremic syndrome, sepsis and dehydration. The mean duration was $10.3{\pm}11.3$ days. The most common complication was peritonitis($20.6\%$). The most common etiologic organism was staphylococcus aureus and coagulase(-), acinetobactor and pseudomonas. Conclusion : Reflux nephropathy should be emphasized in early diagnosis and treatment to prevent ESRD. Incidence of congenital anomaly($7\%$) as a original disease of ESRD was relatively low in Korea. Growth status was not significantly improved after CAPD. In acute PD, the incidence of peritonitis was rapidly increased at 2weeks after beginning of dialysis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2010

Purpose : Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is produced by activated CD4+T cells and exhibits pleiotropic biological activity on various cell types. IL-17 was reported to be involved in the immunoregulatory response in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Our aim was to investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) gene and childhood IgAN. Methods : We analyzed the SNPs in the IL-17RA in 156 children with biopsy-proven IgAN and 245 healthy controls. We divided the IgAN patients into 2 groups and compared them with respect to proteinuria (${\leq}4$ and >$4mg/m^2/h$, ${\leq}40$ and >$40mg/m^2/h$, respectively) and the presence of pathological levels of biomarkers of diseases such as interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, or global sclerosis. Results : No difference was observed between the SNP genotypes rs2895332, rs1468488, and rs4819553 between IgAN patients and control subjects. In addition, no significant difference was observed between allele frequency of SNPs rs2895 332, rs1468488, and rs4819553 between patients in the early and advanced stage of the disease. However, significant difference was observed between the genotype of SNP rs2895332 between patients with proteinuria (>$4mg/m^2/h$) and those without proteinuria (codominant model OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-.66, P <0.001; dominant model OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-.69 P =0.002; recessive model OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-.06 P =0.025). Conclusion : Our results indicate that the SNP in IL-17RA (rs2895332) may be related to the development of proteinuria in IgAN patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.548-553
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• 2010

Purpose : IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most commonly occurring form of chronic glomerulonephritis in pediatric cases. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have been implicated in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the HLA-G gene and childhood IgAN. Methods : The authors analyzed and compared $HLA-G$ gene SNPs (rs1736936 and rs2735022) in 174 patients with childhood IgAN and in 438 healthy controls. In addition, IgAN patients were dichotomized and compared with respect to proteinuria (< and >$4mg/m^2/hour$), the presence or absence of podocyte foot process effacement, and the presence of pathologically early and advanced disease markers such as interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, or global sclerosis. Results : No significant SNP frequency differences were observed for the $HLA-G$ gene between IgAN patients and the control group. Moreover, no significantly associated SNP was observed with the presence of proteinuria, podocyte foot process effacement, or pathologically advanced markers. However, the haplotype, composed of rs1736936 and rs2735022, showed a significant association with the susceptibility to develop childhood IgAN (haplotype T/C: dominant model, $P$=0.049; haplotype C/T: recessive model, $P$=0.030). Conclusion : Our results indicate that rs1736936 and rs2735022 as the $HLA-G$ gene promoter haplotype might be associated with the susceptibility to develop childhood IgAN in the Korean population.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.965-969
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• 2007

Purpose : Measurement of antistreptolysin O (ASO) is often necessary to confirm a clinical diagnosis of recent streptococcal infection, especially in patients suspected of rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. Standard normal ranges for ASO should be established locally for each age group. We analyzed ASO to determine the upper limit of normal (ULN) ASO in children in the Gyeonggi-Incheon area. Methods : ASO in normal individual concentrations were measured quantitatively by nephelometry on sera from 753 children (Male : 381, Female : 372). ULN were determined by separating the upper 20% from the lower 80% of the group (80 percentile). Results : The mean ASO concentration calculated in a total cases was $149.9{\pm}7.2IU/mL$. The ASO concentration in neonates was $83.4{\pm}10.7IU/mL$, and lowest in the 1 year of age group, $26.7{\pm}6.6IU/mL$, and increased to $318.0{\pm}33.2IU/mL$ gradually in the 9 years of age group. Thereafter, ASO concentration decreased. The ULN for neonates was 122 IU/mL, for 0-3 years, 40 IU/mL; for 4-6 years, 113 IU/ mL; for 7-9 years, 489 IU/mL; for 10-19 years, 433 IU/mL; for 20-29 years, 122 IU/mL. Conclusion : The age-specific ULN for children in the Gyeonggi-Incheon area were determined. The distribution of ASO concentration according to age groups was different from previous reports. These results should be of clinical value to physicians to interprete the ASO results of their patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.170-177
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• 2007

Purpose : Clinicopathological features were investigated to clarify the outcome and prognostic indicators for patients with IgA nephropathy in Korean children. Methods : We reviewed the outcomes of 61 patients in whom IgA nephropathy was diagnosed before the age of 15 years from 1991 to 2005 and followed-up at least for one year. All patients were confirmed by renal biopsy. Results : After mean follow-up of 5.2 years from onset, 24 patients of 61 (39.3%) were in clinical remission at the last examination. Thirty patients (49.2%) had hematuria or mild proteinuria (<$1g/m^2/d$), five (8.2%) had severe proteinuria (${\geq}1g/m^2/d$), and two (3.3%) had chronic renal failure. By univariate analysis, initial presentation at onset and Haas classification were less concordant with outcome. Hypertension during follow-up, rather than hypertension at presentation, was significantly correlated with outcomes (P<0.01). Sixty percent of patients who had more than 20% of glomerular sclerosis or crescent progressed to severe proteinuria or chronic renal failure, as compared with 7.1% of those who did not (P<0.01). Conclusion : Prognosis of childhood IgA nephropathy had a relatively benign course during a mean follow-up of 5.2 years. Persistent hypertension during follow-up and more than 20% of glomerular sclerosis or crescent were strong predictors of a progressive course of IgA nephropathy. A new histologic classification according to characteristics of childhood IgA nephropathy must be established to assess prognosis. Further efforts should be made to understand the prognosis of IgA nephropathy through long-term follow-up.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was performed to observe the epidemiological pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during the period from 1993 to 2002 and also to see some clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during recent five years. Methods : We had performed a retrospective analysis of epidemiological pattern of occurrence in 682 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Department of Pediatrics of Han-il General Hospital from January, 1993 to December, 2002. Results : The annual ratio of M. pneumoniae pneumonia was compared with the total numbers of respiratory tract infection patients. The ratios were 19.1% in 1993, 13.0% in 1994, 5.6% in 1995, 12.8% in 1996, 18.6% in 1997, 22.6% in 1998, 1.1% in 1999, 13.3% in 2000, 9.1% in 2001, 6.0% in 2002, and 19.9% in 2003. The epidemics have occurred in 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2003 years showing 3~4 year intervals. The peak incidence of age was four to six years old(286 cases; 41.9%) and male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Monthly distribution showed a high frequency from August to December and the major outbreak occurred in November(119 cases; 17.4%), in October(106 cases; 15.5%), and in December(96 cases; 14.1%) in order of frequency. The most common symptoms were cough (660 cases; 96.8%), fever(569 cases; 83.4%), and sputum(522 cases; 76.5%) in that order. Leukocytosis was observed in 31.2% of patients based on a normal range according to the adjusted age. Increased ESR(${\geq}20mm/hr$) was noted in 42.5% of cases and CRP was positive in 37.8% of cases. On the chest X-ray examination, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 557 cases(81.7%), and the patterns of pneumonic infiltration were bronchopneumonia(78.0%), lobar(35.5%), lobular(19.2%), and interstitial pneumonia(28.7%). Complications were paranasal sinusitis(41 cases), acute otitis media(23 cases), pleural effusion(19 cases). cervical lymphadenitis(18 cases), and glomerulonephritis(1 case). Conclusion : The pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia from 1997 to 2003 noted 3~4 year interval with peak monthly distribution of October and November compared with 3 year interval and peak incidence of summer period before 1996.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.92-101
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• 2000

Purpose : We analyzed the demogaphic data md clinical course of Korean children with chronic renal failure (CRF) observed between 1990 and 1999. Patients and Methods : Questionnaires were mailed to all children's hospitals ail through the country. We asked for primary renal disease age and serum creatinine levels at first presentation with CRF and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and modes of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Results : 401 children (254 boys, 147 girls) with CRF, defined as a permanent increase of serum creatinine above 1.2 mg/dl for at least 3 months or until death, were identified. This represents an incidence of 3.68 per million child population per year. Of these patients, 22$\%$ on younger than 5 years, 28$\%$ 5 to 10 years and 50$\%$ 10 to 15 year. Eight five $\%$ of the patients could be classified with a primary renal disease. The most frequent cause is glomerulonephritis (36$\%$), followed by chronic pyelonephritis (21$\%$), renal hrpo/dylplasia (9$\%$), and hereditary nephropathies (7$\%$). Reflux nephropathy (16$\%$) was the most common single cause of CRF. ESRD was reached in 70$\%$ of all patient. 99.3$\%$ of these started RRT. Hemodialysis (HD, 42$\%$), peritoneal dialysis (PD, 35$\%$) and transplantation (TP, 23$\%$) were performed as the initial mode of RRT. A total of 161 TPs were performed (159 first grafts, 2 second grafts). A total of 32 patients died. The main causes of death were dialysis related complication in HD patients and infections in PD patients. Survival rate on any form of RRT was 88.7$\%$ during the mean follow-up period of 37 months. Conclusion Major efforts should be directed toward earlier diagnosis and treatment of reflux nephropathy to prevent occurrence of Of. Dialysis and TP have now become well accepted forms of treatment in Korean children with ESRD.