• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.864-869
• /
• 1999

To investigate the effect of dietary phosphatidylcholine(PPC) supplement on memory improvement, biochemical study on the brain, and morphometric studies on the cholinergic neurons in the rat basal forebrain were undertaken. The pregnancy rats were divided into the normal control, the choline deficient and the PPC supplemental groups according to quantity of the PPC in diet. According to choline deficiency and PPC supplement after birth, the neonate rate of the normal control group were subdivided into the control diet(N-N) and the PPC supplied (N-S) groups, the choline deficient group were subdivided into the continually deficient (D-D), the control diet(D-N) and the PPC supplied groups(D-S), and the PPC supplemental group were subdivided into the control diet (S-N)and the continually supplied (S-S)group. The PPC supplemented diet was added 2% egg PPC in AIN 76 formula diet. PPC concentrations and cholinesterase(CE) activities were measured in the serum, the liver and the brain, respectively. Immunohistochemical stains for choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) was employed for the morphological and morphometric studies. The maze test was undertaken to evaluate memory improvement. PPC concentration and CE activities in the serum, liver and the brain were high in the PPC supplemental groups and low in the choline deficient groups. ChAT immunoreactivity neurons at the medial septal diagonal bond complex and the basal forebrain nucleus of Meynert were reduced in the choline deficient groups. Average failure rate for the maze test was the lowest in the S-S group and the highest in the D-D group. Insufficient choline suppley during the neuronal development would result in cholinergic neuronal damage, which could be prevented by adequate PPC supplement. It is consequently suggested that PPC supplement may be effective on memory improvement by maintaining the cholinergic neuronal activity in the basal forebrain of the rats.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.99-115
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Exclusive breastfeeding promotes gut microbial compositions associated with lower rates of metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Its cessation is implicated in increased microbiome-metabolome discordance, suggesting a vulnerability to dietary changes. Formula supplementation is common within our low-income, ethnic-minority community. We studied exclusively breastfed (EBF) neonates' early microbiome-metabolome coupling in efforts to build foundational knowledge needed to target this inequality. Methods: Maternal surveys and stool samples from seven EBF neonates at first transitional stool (0-24 hours), discharge (30-48 hours), and at first appointment (days 3-5) were collected. Survey included demographics, feeding method, medications, medical history and tobacco and alcohol use. Stool samples were processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipid analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Alpha and beta diversity analyses and Procrustes randomization for associations were carried out. Results: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were the most abundant taxa. Variation in microbiome composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.001). Palmitic, oleic, stearic, and linoleic acids were the most abundant lipids. Variation in lipid composition was greater between individuals than within (p=0.040). Multivariate composition of the metabolome, but not microbiome, correlated with time (p=0.030). Total lipids, saturated lipids, and unsaturated lipids concentrations increased over time (p=0.012, p=0.008, p=0.023). Alpha diversity did not correlate with time (p=0.403). Microbiome composition was not associated with each samples' metabolome (p=0.450). Conclusion: Neonate gut microbiomes were unique to each neonate; respective metabolome profiles demonstrated generalizable temporal developments. The overall variability suggests potential interplay between influences including maternal breastmilk composition, amount consumed and living environment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.57 no.10
• /
• pp.425-433
• /
• 2014

Adrenal and thyroid hormones are essential for the regulation of intrauterine homeostasis, and for the timely differentiation and maturation of fetal organs. These hormones play complex roles during fetal life, and are believed to underlie the cellular communication that coordinates maternal-fetal interactions. They serve to modulate the functional adaptation for extrauterine life during the perinatal period. The pathophysiology of systemic vasopressor-resistant hypotension is associated with low levels of circulating cortisol, a result of immaturity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in preterm infants under stress. Over the past few decades, studies in preterm infants have shown abnormal clinical findings that suggest adrenal or thyroid dysfunction, yet the criteria used to diagnose adrenal insufficiency in preterm infants continue to be arbitrary. In addition, although hypothyroidism is frequently observed in extremely low gestational age infants, the benefits of thyroid hormone replacement therapy remain controversial. Screening methods for congenital hypothyroidism or congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the preterm neonate are inconclusive. Thus, further understanding of fetal and perinatal adrenal and thyroid function will provide an insight into the management of adrenal and thyroid function in the preterm infant.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.117-121
• /
• 2012

Down syndrome is a rare cause of neonatal cholestasis. Neonatal cholestasis in a patient with Down syndrome is usually associated with severe liver diseases, such as neonatal hemochromatosis, myeloproliferative disorder and intrahepatic bile duct paucity. We experienced a case of idiopathic neonatal cholestasis in a patient with Down syndrome, which resolved spontaneously.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.83-88
• /
• 2012

Acute appendicitis is very rare in premature neonates. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition is difficult, and then it leads to high morbidity and mortality. We report 9-day-old premature male with ruptured acute appendicitis presented with pneumoperitoneum on plain films of the abdomen. Awareness of this rare condition and possible differential diagnosis in this age group is also discussed.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.204-208
• /
• 1995

Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage is frequently associated with birth trauma or perinatal hypoxia. Hemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands is often found at autopsy and many small lesions are usually asymptomatic. A palpable abdominal mass and jaundice are the usual presenting signs. Ultrasound is very useful in the diagnosis of this lesion; however, if the mass has mixed echoic pattern, magnetic resonance imaging (MRl) is helpful for the differential diagnosis from neuroblastoma. We present the case of a female newborn who was found to have a abdominal mass on physical examination. The patient showed anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. An ultrasonogram disclosed a $3.8{\times}3.0$ cm suprarenal mass with mixed echoic pattern. The mass was initially suspected to be neuroblastoma. An abdominal computed tomogram was not able to differentiate the mass. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed markedly increased signal intensity on T1 and T2-weighted sequences. This finding was consistent with adrenal hemorrhage. Serial sonogram demonstrated the mass that resolved completely by 12 weeks of age.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.181-185
• /
• 1995

Segmental intestinal dilatation is rare, which causes symptom of bowel obstruction and requires resection. The resection is not only diagnostic but also curative procedure. Recently, author experienced 2 cases of segmental dilatation of the ileum due to focal agenesis of the intestinal muscularis in 7 day & 4 day-old female neonates. The post operative recovery was excellant in the first case after resection of dilated ileum(15cm in length) and end to end anastomosis, and discharged at 20th day. But in the second case, the passage disturbance was not relieved after resection of dilated ileum (30cm in length), and author re-resected 80cm more of dilated proximal ileum at 2 weeks after the first operation. This baby discharged after diarrhea control with Loperin on 1 month after the second operation. Final histologic examination showed 1) normal population of ganglion cells in both narrowed & dilated ileum in both cases. 2) focal abscence of muscularis propria in both cases. 3) relative hypertrophy of inner circular muscle layer and thinned, multiple fragmented outer longitudinal muscle layer in case 2.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.186-189
• /
• 1995

Neonatal intestinal perforation is mainly caused by necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal atresia, meconium ileus or unknown etiology. Occasionally, Hirschsprung's disease presents with neonatal intestinal perforation, of which, it is known that total colonic aganglionosis is common. Therefore, Hirschsprung's disease should be considered as a cause of neonatal intestinal perforation. The authors have experienced 3 cases of neonatal Hirschsprung's disease associated with colonic perforations. Cecal perforations were noted in 2 cases with aganglionosis from descending colon and sigmoid perforation in a case with aganglionosis in rectum. These cases will be discussed with literature review.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.9
• /
• pp.793-795
• /
• 2004

Modified Norwood procedure with maintaining cardiac beat was done in a 30-day-old neonate. Procedure was done with regional perfusion of innominate and coronary artery. Postoperative course was uneventful. Second-stage operation (bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt) was done 4 months later. The diameter of ascending aorta was more than 5 mm, Norwood procedure can be done in beating hearts.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.977-982
• /
• 1995

Early repair of complex congenital heart malformation may lead to life-threatening respiratory and hemodynamic embarrassment on sternal closure. We performed delayed sternal closure in nine neonates to avoid a fatal outcome in these situations. Primary elective open sternum was used in 8 [66.7% and primary sternal closure in 4 [33.3% of the 12 patients studied. one patient with primary sternal closure underwent delayed sternal reopening in the intensive care unit. Of the 9 patients with open sternum, 2 patients died of low cardiac output and acute renal failure respectively before delayed sternal closure. 7 patients could undergo delayed sternal closures 3 days after initial operation. The mean age at open cardiac procedure was 14.3 days [range 3 to 30 and mean preoperative weight was 3.4kg [range 2.8 to 4.1 . The aortic cross-clamping time was longer in the group with open sternum than the group with closed sternum [p=0.042 . There was no morbidity and mortality related to delayed sternal closure. Given the low morbidity and potential benifits, this technique should be used in neonates after open heart procedures when postoperative mediastinal compression produces frank low cardiac output or respiratoy compromise during a trial of sternal closure.