• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2009

Purpose : This study investigated the clinical course and prognostic factor of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) with hemodynamically significant congenital heart defects (CHDs). Methods : Medical records of 1,098 VLBWI with birth weight <1,500 g who had been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from October 1994 to December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The data for these patients with hemodynamically significant CHD (n=33) were compared with those without CHD (n=1,065). Results : The incidence of CHD was 3.0% (33 patients) 7 patients (21%) had CHD combined with the congenital abnormalities or chromosomal disorders. The most common CHD was a ventricular septal defect. The incidence of intrauterine growth retardation was higher in patients with CHD than in patients without CHD (34% vs. 20%), but there were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, severe intraventricular hemorrhage (${\geq}$Gr III), and periventricular leukomalacia. Cardiac surgery was performed on 13 patients (39%). Nine patients received staged operations, and 10 patients received early intervention. The overall mortality in patients who had CHD was higher than in the patients who did not have CHD (27% vs. 16%). In patients with CHD, congenital abnormalities or chromosomal disorders were more important factors for increased mortality (86% vs. 11%) than the degree of complexity of CHD (19% vs. 42%). Conclusion : The most important prognostic factors of VLBWI with CHD are the associated congenital abnormalities or chromosomal disorders.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.190-196
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• 2009

Purpose: Candida infection has increased in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). However, recent reports on systemic candida infections in preterm newborns are rare in Korea. The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiological features of systemic candida infection in very low birth weight infants (VLBW) over the past five years. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 19 patients with systemic candida infections in VLBW that were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units of three hospitals affiliated with the College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea from January 2004 to December 2008. We analyzed the birth weight, gestational age, age at diagnosis, risk factors, co-morbidity, antifungal treatment, and mortality rates among the 19 patients. Results: Systemic candida infections occurred in 19 cases (4.7%) among the VLBW infants. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 959.0$\pm$255.9 g and 26.7$\pm$2.1 weeks. The isolated Candida species were C. albicans (4), C. parapsilosis (9), C. glabrata (2), C. famata (2), and unkown subspecies (2). Most patients had various associated risk factors, including a central venous catheter, broad spectrum antibiotics, parenteral nutrition, intravenous lipid emulsion, endotracheal intubation and $H_2$ blocker therapy. There was no significant difference in the risk factors between newborns that survived and those that died with regard to the systemic candida infection, except for gestational age. Nine (47.4%) out of 19 patients with a candida infection died and four cases (21.2%) were directly related to the candida infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of systemic candida infection is increasing in VLBW infants. The majority of Candida species has shifted to C. non-albicans, especially C. parapsilosis. Because of the high mortality associated with candida infection in the NICU, prophylaxis and early treatment based on epidemiological features is necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1221-1227
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• 2009

Purpose:To identify the risk factors for poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk neonates. Methods:We studied 94 infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Sanggye Paik Hospital between January 2002 and November 2005 and evaluated the follow-up data. The following events were considered as risk factors: ${\leq}32$ weeks of gestation, very low birth weight, Apgar scores of less than 5, neonatal resuscitation, neonatal seizure, congenital infection, and abnormalities in cranial ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The infants who had any one of these risk factors were included. They were evaluated at their mean corrected age of 13.84${\pm}$8.03 months. Mental and Psychomotor Developmental Indices (MDI, PDI) were determined by a clinical psychologist using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. Results:The mean MDI and PDI of all the patients were 96.28${\pm}$26.70 and 94.00${\pm}$22.80, respectively. Abnormalities on cranial ultrasound or MRI were significant predictors of both low MDI (P<0.05) and low PDI (P<0.001). These abnormalities showed a stronger association with low PDI than with low MDI. The infants with periventricular leukomalacia had the lowest MDI and PDI ($70.10{\pm}28.68$ and $69.70{\pm}24.91$, respectively). Apgar score at 1 minute and very low birth weight were also significant predictors for low PDI (P<0.05, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion:Image findings with cranial ultrasound or MRI were the strongest predictors of neurodevelopmental outcome. Periventricular leukomalacia was the best predictive factor for mental and psychomotor development.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1179-1184
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• 2008

Purpose : Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) primarily occurs in preterm infants suffering from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and kept under mechanical ventilator care. Therefore, this study aimed to examine various risk factors for PIE, to identify conditions that can decrease the possibility of PIE development. Methods : PIE classification was conducted for 183 patients diagnosed to have RDS and receiving mechanical ventilator care with pulmonary surfactant between March 2000 and February 2007. The characteristics of each patient were analyzed through retrospective examination of their medical histories. Results : Among 183 patients, 17 had PIE; all factors, including birth weight, gestational age, RDS grade III or above, chorioamnionitis, and premature rupture of membranes, were statistically significant (P<0.05). The period of mechanical ventilator use was statistically significant, but the peak mean airway pressure and peak partial pressure of inspired oxygen were not. PIE mainly occurred on the right side or both sides rather than the left side and mostly developed within 72 h. The PIE group showed higher mortality rate than the control group, and the major cause of mortality was pneumothorax. Conclusion : Risk factors for PIE in infants suffering from RDS and kept under mechanical ventilator care include low gestational age, low birth weight, chorioamnionitis, and premature rupture of membranes. If any risk factors are noted, the infant must be observed closely for at least 72 h after birth.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.585-590
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• 1997

Between December 1994 and October 1996, 57 premature infants with evidence of a hemodynamically significant PDA associated with cardiopulmonary compromise underwent indomethcin therapy(Group I, n=48) or surgical ligation(Group II, n=9) because of indomethacin failure. The gestational alee(29.6$\pm$ 3.1weeks vs. 28.1 $\pm$ 1.6weeks) and birth weight(1,413 $\pm$ 580gm, ,098 $\pm$ 235gm) showed no significant differences between the two groups. Medical management included fluid restriction, diuretics, and indomethacin therapy(one or two cycles). Surgical libation was done at the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) without moving the patient to the operation room. There was no complication associated with the operation. There were 9 deaths in Group I(19%, 9/48) and 2 deaths in Group II(22% , 219). The main causes of deaths were persistent bronchopulmonary dysplasia with sepsis(n=8) and intrapulmonary hemorrhage(n=3). The rate of medical treatment failure including death and complication in premature infants whose body weights were less than 1500gm was higher(41%, 15/38) than in premature infants whose body weights were more than 1500gm(16%, 3/19). Early surgical ligation of PDA may be applicable in the premature infant with a large size, low birth weight(<1500 gm), or associated intracardiac anomalies. Perfoming the operation in the NICU may be safe in s ead of moving the patient to the operating room.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.328-336
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• 2011

Purpose: An association between very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) and hearing loss has long been recognized. Early identification and intervention for hearing loss benefits language and speech/cognitive development. We investigated the risk factors and clinical outcomes of hearing loss among VLBWI. Methods: We analyzed the results of auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing of VLBWI. These infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between December 2008 and February 2011. A follow-up was conducted subsequently. Results: ABR evaluations were performed on 65 infants, and 31 showed abnormal results (47.7%). Among the 31 infants, 10 were classified with moderate/severe/profound hearing loss (15.4%). The infants with abnormal ABR had a higher incidence of low birth weight, prolonged ventilator care, cumulative dose of furosemide, and the lowest $PaO_2$ (P<0.05). Those with moderate/severe/profound hearing loss had a higher incidence of low Apgar scores at 5 minutes (odds ratio[OR],0.34; 95% confidence interval[CI],0.13-0.89), prolonged ventilator care (OR,1.06; 95% CI,1.01-1.12), and mild hearing loss compared to those without profound hearing loss. Follow-up evaluations on eight infants with ABR reveled improvements 5.6${\pm}$3.9 months later. One infant, who had profound hearing loss in both ears, used a hearing aid. Conclusion: Factors influencing hearing loss at the first VLBWI hearing screening test included lower Apgar scores at 5 min and prolonged use of a ventilator. Most VLBWI with hearing losses were expected to recover after several months of follow-up.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.959-965
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of prophylactic indomethacin on reduction of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH) in extremely low birth weight infants(ELBWI). Methods : Retrospective review of 84 ELBWI who were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit from June 2004 to April 2006 was performed. Patients were divided into prophylactic group(n=28) and control group(n=56), where prophylactic indomethacin were given within 6 hours after birth. Clinical outcomes were compared between these groups. Results : There were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, incidence of hemodynamically significant PDA and severe IVH, and mortality between prophylactic group and control group. However, there were more frequent indications for therapeutic indomethacin, higher incidence of intestinal perforation, and longer time to achieve full enteral feeding in prophylactic group than control group. The incidence of other adverse events attributed to indomethacin prophylaxis did not differ between two groups. Conclusions : Prophylactic indomethacin may not prevent hemodynamically significant PDA and severe IVH in ELBWI. On the contrary, it may be associated with increased risk of adverse events. Further efforts should be investigated to decrease PDA and severe IVH in ELBWI.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.599-610
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• 2016

This paper reports the results of a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis research to compare the effect of Kangaroo care, targeting mothers and premature infants. A randomized clinical trial study was performed until February 2015. The domestic literature contained the non-randomized clinical trial research without restriction according to the level of the study design. A search of the Ovid-Medline, CINAHL, PubMed and KoreaMed, the National Library of KOREA, the National Assembly Library, NDSL, KISS and RISS. Through the KMbase we searched and combined the main term ((kangaroo OR KC OR skin-to-skin) AND (care OR contact)) AND (infant OR preterm OR Low Birth Weight OR LBW), ((kangaroo OR kangaroo OR kangaroo) AND (care OR nursing care OR management OR skin contact)) was made; these were all combined with a keywords search through the selection process. They were excluded in the final 25 studies (n=3051). A methodology checklist for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed by SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) was utilized to assess the risk of bias. The overall risk of bias was regarded as low. In 16 studies that were evaluated as a grade of "++", 9 studies were evaluated as a grade of "+". As a result of meta-analysis, kangaroo care regarding the effects of premature mortality, severe infection/sepsis had an insignificant effect. Hyperthermia incidence, growth and development (height and weight), mother-infant attachment, hypothermia incidence, length of hospital days, breast feeding rate, sleeping, anxiety, confidence, and gratification of mothering role were considered significant. In satisfaction of the role performance, depression and stress presented contradictory research results for individual studies showing overall significant difference. This study has some limitations due to the few RCTs comparing kangaroo care in the country. Therefore, further RCTs comparing kangaroo care should be conducted.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.35-55
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• 2001

Recently attention has been focused on the effects of early intervention, or its lack, on both normal and preterm infants. Particularly numerous studies suggest that premature infants are not necessarily understimulated but instead are subjected to inappropriate stimulation. Developmental support and sensory stimulation have become clinical opportunities in which nursing practice can impact on the neurobehavioral outcome of premature infants. Developmental care has been widely accepted and implemented in neonatal intensive care units across the country. Increasingly, attention and concern in caring for low-birth-weight infants and premature infants has led clinicians in the field to explore the effects of a complex of interventions designed to create and maintain a developmentally supportive environment; to provide age-appropriate sensory input; and to protect the infant from inappropriate, excessive and stressful stimulation. The components of developmental care include modifications of the macro-environment to reduce NICU light and sound levels, care clustering, nonnutritive sucking, and containment strategies, such as flexed positioning or swaddling. Sensory stimulation of the premature infants is presented to standardize the modification of a developmental intervention based on physiologic and behavioral cues. The most appropriate type of stimuli are those that are sensitive to infant cues. Evaluation of infant physiological and behavioral responds to specific intervention stimuli may help to identify more appropriate interventions based on infants' cues. A critical question confronting the clinician is that of determining when the evidence supporting a change in practice is sufficient to justify making that change. There are acknowledged limitations in the current studies. Many of the studies examined had small sample sizes; used nonprobability sampling; and used a phase lag design, which introduces the possibility of threats to internal validity and limits the generalizability of the results. Although many issues regarding the effects of developmental interventions remain unresolved, the available research base documents significant benefits of developmental care for LBW infants in consistent outcomes, without significant adverse effects. Particularly, although the individual studies vary somewhat in the definition of specific outcomes measured, instrumentation used, time and method of data collection, and preparaion of the care providers, in all studies, infants receiving the full protocol of individualized developmentally supportive care had improvements in some aspect of four areas of infant functioning: level of respiratory or oxygen support, the establishment of oral feeding; length of hospital stay, and infant behavioral regulation. In summary, based on the available literature, individualized developmental intervention should be incorporated into standard practice in neonatal intensive care. And this implementation needs to be coupled with ongoing research to evaluate the impact of an individualized developmental care programs on the short- and long-tenn health outcomes of LBW infants.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2011

Purpose: Mecnoium obstruction in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI), which delays enteral feeding and is one of the major causes of bowel obstruction, can be diagnosed and treated with hyperosmolar water-soluble contrast enema. The purpose of this study was to observe the clinical findings of meconium obstruction, the improvement of small bowel obstruction after contrast enema, and the complications related to the enema. Methods: Hypersolmolar water-soluble contrast enemas were performed in 14 VLBWIs with meconium obstruction. Clinical findings, radiologic findings, feeding intolerance, effectiveness, and complications of enemas were observed. Also, clinical findings related to meconium obstruction were compared with 18 VLBWIs without meconium obstruction. Results: 1) Fourteen VLBWIs with meconium obstruction had significantly lower 5 minutes Apgar scores than 18 VLBWIs without meconium obstruction (p<0.05). Moreover, the day of last meconium passing, and the day of the first trial and full enteral feeding were delayed significantly. 2) A total of 18 enemas were performed in the 14 infants. The contrast medium passed the ileocecal valve and reached the terminal ileus in 12 enemas. Of the 12 enemas, 11 were successful, but 1 infant underwent an ileotomy, even though the contrast medium reached the terminal ileum. 3) Intestinal obstruction was not relieved in three of five infants, in whom the contrast medium failed to pass the ileocecal valve. Obstruction was relieved after repeated enemas in which the contrast medium reached the terminal ileum. 4) No complications associated with water-soluble contrast enemas were observed. Conclusion: Hyperosmolar water-soluble contrast enema is considered to be safe and therapeutic for meconium obstruction in VLBWIs.