• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2016

The purpose of the review article is to investigate the influence of periodontal diseases on preterm birth(PTB) and low birth weight(LBW). PTB and LBW are the main risk factors of infant mortality and a major public health problem. PTB is defined as delivery at less than 37 weeks and LBW is less than 2,500 grams. Over Approximately 60 percent of perinatal mortality results from PTB or LBW. Although the causes of PTB and LBW are not fully understood, infection is the leading cause of PTB and LBW. Periodontal diseases are serious disease burdens because they are caused by bacterial endotoxin, inflammatory reaction, and cytokine. The periodontal diseases are the predisposing factors of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. Over the past 15 years, previous studies revealed that periodontitis had adverse outcomes including PTB and LBW in pregnancy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.135-142
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• 1998

Maternal weight gain during pregnancy has been consistently associated with infant birth weight and pregnancy outcome. Our purpose was to determine the relationship between maternal weight gain pattern and birth weight. Consequently, maternal weight gain is monitored carefully and is encouraged during prenatal care in order to improve pregnancy outcome. Our study group included both 424 uncomplicated women and infant delivered at the Yeungnam University Hospital between 1993-1996. All recorded prenatal weight gain measurements were used to estimate maternal trimester weight gain, pattern of gain (based on low versus not-low gain at each trimester), and total gain at delivery. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between these weight gain measurements and fetal birth weight. Each kilogram of maternal gain in the first, second, and third trimesters was associated with statistically related to the increase in fetal birth weight by 31.3, 19.0, and 24.5g, respectively. When compaired with the pattern of gain that was not low in any trimester, patterns with low gain in the first trimesters were associated with significant decreases in birth weight, but no important change in birth weight was seen for the group whose gains were not low in the first trimester. The results suggest that specific patterns of maternal weight gain, particularly weight gain during the first trimester, are related to fetal birth weight.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2009

In recent years, reductions in infant mortality have mainly been accomplished by improving the survival of premature and low birth weight infants, however premature infants still remain at great risk. The purpose of this study was to review the maternal child health service related to premature infants and to provide a future direction for improving maternal child health (MCH) in Korea. We reviewed two MCH services which are directly related to premature infants: 1) a registry and financial support program for families with a premature infant, and 2) financial support to build neonatal intensive care units in rural public hospitals. Suggestions are made for the development of a national vital signs record system to identify high risk infants and to monitor the trends in infant mortality due to prematurity. Prevention efforts and preconception care for childbearing women is also an important strategy to reduce the rate of preterm births. Finally, we need consider long-term follow-up plans for premature infants for a successful transit to the special education system. Developing MCH policy related to premature infants that decreases the occurrence of premature may decrease infant mortality, and also improve maternal and child health services.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.146-155
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• 2023

Purpose: The starting time for probiotic supplementation in preterm infants after birth varies widely. This study aimed to investigate the optimal time for initiating probiotics to reduce adverse outcomes in preterm or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: Medical records of preterm infants born at a gestational age (GA) of <32 weeks or VLBW infants in 2011-2020 were reviewed respectively. The infants who received Saccharomyces boulardii probiotics within 7 days of birth were grouped into an early introduction (EI) group, and those who received supplemented probiotics after 7 days of birth were part of the late introduction (LI) group. Clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups and analyzed statistically. Results: A total of 370 infants were included. The mean GA (29.1 weeks vs. 31.2 weeks, p<0.001) and birth weight (1,235.9 g vs. 1491.4 g, p<0.001) were lower in the LI group (n=223) than in the EI group. The multivariate analysis indicated that factors affecting the LI of probiotics were GA at birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.52; p<0.001) and the enteral nutrition start day (OR, 1.47; p<0.001). The late probiotic introduction was associated with a risk of late-onset sepsis (OR, 2.85; p=0.020), delayed full enteral nutrition (OR, 5.44; p<0.001), and extrauterine growth restriction (OR, 1.67; p=0.033) on multivariate analyses after adjusting for GA. Conclusion: Early supplementation of probiotics within a week after birth may reduce adverse outcomes among preterm or VLBW infants.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.379-387
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal age and infant mortality in Korea(n=617,867). Data of Korean vital statistics linked National Infant Mortality Survey conducted on births in 1999 were used in this study. The odds ratios (ORs) of infant death by maternal age were estimated with the multiple logistic regression model, adjusting for gender, plurality, birth order, low birth weight, and congenital malformation. After adjusting for the relevant variables, the odds of infant death in the group of maternal age with less than 20 years(Odds ratio [OR], 5.29, 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.51-7.98), 20-24 years(OR, 1.44, 95% CI, 1.23-1.69), 35-39 years(OR, 1.28, 95% CI, 1.11-1.46), and more than 40 years(OR, 1.94, 95% CI, 1.53-2.45) was higher than that of reference group(25-29 years). In conclusion, the higher infant mortality in the group of maternal age with less than 25 years and more than 35 years in Korea appears to be due to higher proportion of low birth weight and pre-term birth. Prenatal care intervention programs which tackle biological factors for advanced maternal age and address socio-economic problems and social stigma for early maternal age should be devised.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.572-586
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• 2022

Purpose: This study examined the factors that may affect the growth status of preterm infants. Methods: This study included 91 preterm infants born at <37 weeks of gestation (22.9-36.9 weeks of gestation), including 48 (52.7%) males and 43 (47.3%) females. Diet-related data were collected through parental questionnaires, and growth-related data, such as height and weight, were collected through the hospital medical records. Results: No significant difference in weight and growth was observed between early and late preterm infants. On the other hand, smaller averages of all weight z-score (recent weight at 40 weeks of gestation) included lower birth weight, height, and head circumference. On the other hand, infants' birth weight, height, and head circumference in the weight z-score of <0 (<50% in the age-weight growth chart) was smaller than those in the weight z-score of ≥0. Furthermore, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization period and NICU discharge were shorter with growth cessation age in weight z-score of <0. The weight growth velocity was associated with gestational age, birth weight, and medical treatment in the NICU. Thus, parents of preterm infants with low growth rates prefer more community care services for their children. Conclusion: Birth weight, age of preterm infants, and medical treatment in the NICU were factors related to early birth weight growth. Following NICU discharge, poor intake and intake issues were associated with poor growth after 40 weeks of gestation. Therefore, monitoring the growth of preterm infants requires continuous active involvement and supports for growth-promoting factors after NICU discharge.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.639-644
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• 2014

Congenital malaria is assumed to be a risk factor for infant morbidity and mortality in endemic areas like Maumere, Indonesia. Infected infants are susceptible to its impact such as premature labor, low birth weight, anemia, and other unspecified symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of congenital malaria and the influence of mother-infant paired parasite densities on the clinical outcome of the newborns at TC Hillers Hospital, Maumere. An analytical cross sectional study was carried out in newborns which showed criteria associated with congenital malaria. A thick and thin blood smear confirmed by nested PCR was performed in both mothers and infants. The association of congenital malaria with the newborn's health status was then assessed. From 112 mother-infant pairs included in this study, 92 were evaluated further. Thirty-nine infants (42.4%) were found to be infected and half of them were asymptomatic. Infected newborns had a 4.7 times higher risk in developing anemia compared to uninfected newborns (95% CI, 1.3-17.1). The hemoglobin level, erythrocyte amount, and hematocrit level were affected by the infants' parasite densities (P<0.05). Focusing on newborns at risk of congenital malaria, the prevalence is almost 3 times higher than in an unselected collective. Low birth weight, anemia, and pre-term birth were the most common features. Anemia seems to be significantly influenced by infant parasite densities but not by maternal parasitemia.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.153-160
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the tolerability and effect of early high-dose amino acid administration in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included ELBWI (birth weight <1,000 g, n=142). Biochemical, nutritional, and neurodevelopmental data were compared between infants who received conventional low amino acid (LAA; 1.5 g/kg/day) and those who received high amino acid (HAA; 3 g/kg/day) within the first 48 hours after birth. Neurodevelopmental data included weight, height, and head circumference at discharge, 12 to 14 and 18 to 24 months of corrected age and the Korean Bayley Scale of Infant Development II (K-BSID-II) score at 18 to 24 months of corrected age. Results: The HAA group demonstrated higher peak plasma albumin ($3.0{\pm}0.4$ vs. $3.2{\pm}0.5$, P<0.05) and lower serum creatinine ($1.7{\pm}0.9$ vs. $1.4{\pm}0.8$, P<0.05) during the first 14 days than the LAA group. Full enteral feeding was achieved significantly earlier in infants in the HAA group than in infants in the LAA group ($46.2{\pm}23.0days$ vs. $34.3{\pm}21days$, P<0.01). There was no difference between the two groups in the z score changes in all growth indicators from birth to discharge and at 12 to 14 and 18 to 24 months of corrected age, as well as in the K-BSID-II score at 18 to 24 months of corrected age. Conclusion: Aggressive administration of amino acids during the first 2 days of life in ELBWI was well tolerated and correlated with earlier full enteral feeding, but did not improve growth and neurodevelopment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2003

Objectives : This study was performed to examine the relationship between maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight or preform baby) in a prospective cohort study. Methods : We made a pregnant women's cohort, and followed the pregnancy outcomes, between May 1st 2001 and August 31st 2002. We surveyed 2,250 women who visited our hospital during their 35th gestational week, with a self-administered questionnaire. The final total of mother-infant pairs analyzed in this study was 1,712. We used a multiple logistic regression analysis to analyze the effect of maternal ETS on the incidence of preform or low birth weight, and a linear regression analysis for the birth weight and gestational age. Results : Higher exposure to ETS (>=1 hours/day) during pregnancy was more negatively associated with the gestational age and birth weight, than no exposure to ETS (no or less than 1 hour). Maternal exposure to ETS was associated with preform baby(adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9, 3.3) and low birth weight (AOR 2.3; 95% CI 0.9, 5.5). In addition, we found that maternal ETS may reduce the birth weight by 70g after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Conclusions : This study suggests that maternal exposure to ETS during pregnancy may increase the frequency of low birth weights and preform births.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.52-59
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relative weight gain at 2-week intervals up to 6 weeks after birth to predict retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment among very low birth weight infants. Methods: A total of 211 preterm infants with birth weights <1,500 g and gestational age <32 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcome was the development of ROP requiring treatment. Body weight measurements were recorded daily. Relative weight gains (g/kg/day) were calculated at the second, fourth, and sixth week after birth. Results: Of the 211 infants, 89 developed ROP, of which 41 spontaneously regressed and 48 with early treatment of ROP type I required laser treatment. The relative weight gain at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postnatal age was significantly lower in infants with ROP requiring treatment than in infants without ROP or those with spontaneous regression (P<0.001, P=0.005, and P=0.004, respectively). On logistic regression, poor relative weight gain in the first 2 weeks was found to be related to ROP requiring treatment (adjusted odds ratio, 0.809; 95% confidence interval, 0.695-0.941; P=0.006). Relative weight gain at 2 weeks postnatal age was significantly lower in infants with ROP requiring treatment compared to that in ROP requiring no treatment (P=0.012). Conclusion: Poor postnatal weight gain in the first 2 weeks of life is an important and independent risk factor for ROP requiring treatment. Postnatal weight gain can predict the development of severe ROP requiring treatment.