• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1065-1070
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to determine whether early closure (within 7 d) of significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with indomethacin or ligation reduces neonatal morbidity when compared with delayed closure (after 7 d). Methods : Fifty-eight extremely-low-birth-weight infants admitted to the NICU of Seoul National University Hospital from April 2005 to May 2007 with PDA were studied retrospectively. Results : The mean gestational age (GA) was $26{\pm}2weeks$ (range, 23-32 wk), and the birth weight was $782{\pm}146g$ (range, 430-990 g). The delayed closure group was associated with early GA ($25.7{\pm}1.7wk$ vs $27.1{\pm}2.0wk$, P=0.013), in vitro fertilization (IVF) (55% vs 24%, P=0.017), and the absence of preeclampsia (5% vs. 34%, P=0.013). There was no difference in ductal size between the early closure and delayed closure groups. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (95% vs 65%, P=0.012) and intraventricular hemorrhage (70% vs. 39%, P=0.027) increased in the delayed closure group. Using regression analysis adjusted for gestational age, delayed closure correlated positively with the duration of ventilator support (P=0.008), hospitalization (P=0.020), time to full enteral feeding (P<0.001), and total parenteral nutrition (P=0.010). Conclusion : Delayed closure of the hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in extremely-low-birth-weight infants is significantly related to the development of various morbidities. Thus, early closure of PDA is needed within the first week of life.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2008

Purpose : This study determined the prenatal and postnatal factors associated with complications and prognosis in premature infants with leukemoid reaction. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of premature infants with gestational ages <37 weeks and low birth weights (<2,500 g) who were admitted immediately after birth to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital between June 2005 and July 2006. A leukemoid reaction was defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >30,000/$mm^3$. The infants who had leukemoid reaction comprised the study group, while the remainder of infants made up the control group. The relationships between maternal and neonatal variables and ANC were studied. Results : Leukemoid reaction was detected in 3.1% of the study infants (8 of 252). Factors more frequently associated with infants with leukemoid reaction were as follows: maternal chorioamnionitis, high levels of maternal and infant C-reactive protein, gestational age <37 weeks, birth weight <2,500 g, low Apgar score, prolonged ventilator support, and a high incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). However, there were no significant differences with respect to the antenatal usage of steroids, the incidences of patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusion : Leukemoid reaction in premature infants was associated with chorioamnionitis and high levels of serum C-reactive protein in mothers and infants, and BPD in infants. These findings suggest that leukemoid reaction is secondary to inflammation caused by infection.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2011

Purpose: Congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are rare disease and clinically asymptomatic shunts may be detected by chance on ultrasonogram before and after birth. We studied clinical course, treatment and prognosis of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt at prenatal or neonatal period. Methods: Medical records of 8 patients which were diagnosed in intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in Cheil General Hospital from 2006 through 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Eight patients with congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts were identified. Six patients were diagnosed at prenatal radiological screening, including three cases of intrauterine growth restriction and two cases of preterm baby. One case with increased serum ammonia underwent coil embolization. In four cases including one case that presented elevated direct bilirubin, shunts were closed spontaneously within 11th month after birth. Two patients were diagnosed on abdominal sonogram after birth because of elevated direct hyperbilirubinemia, all of whom presented intrauterine growth restriction. Closure of shunts was confirmed during 4th month to 6th month. Conclusion: Congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are clinically asymptomatic mostly and spontaneous closure is expected within 2 years age. But occasionally they have severe complication, so clinical and radiological observation is needed. Specially in cases of intrauterine growth retardation without evident cause, the possible diagnosis of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts should be considered and prenatal and postnatal examination should be performed. When prenatal diagnosis is made, fetal wellbeing should be monitored periodically until spontaneous closure of shunts.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.257-264
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• 2011

Purpose: The development of postnatal pneumothorax and its common causes and clinical aspects were studied to promote early diagnosis and proper management. Methods: A retrospective study of neonates who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from 2001 to 2010 was performed. Term neonates were divided into a spontaneous pneumothorax group and a secondary pneumothorax group. The secondary group was divided into term and preterm groups. Results: Of 4,414 inpatients, 57 (1.3%) were diagnosed with pneumothorax. Of term newborn patients, 28 (80%) had a secondary pneumothorax, and seven (20%) had a spontaneous pneumothorax. No differences were observed for gender, birth weight, resuscitation, or duration of admission between the spontaneous and control groups. The duration of treatment with a thoracostomy (20 patients, 57%) was longer in the spontaneous group (5.4${\pm}$2.9 days vs. 2.7${\pm}$2.0 days) than that in the control group. Patients with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) developed a pneumothorax 22.8 hours after surfactant treatment, whereas patients with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN), pneumonia, and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) developed pneumothorax after 16.6 hours. Of 50 patients with a secondary pneumothorax, 19 (38%) had RDS, 11 (22%) had MAS, 7 (14%) had TTN, and six (12%) had pneumonia. Among term newborns, 42.9% were treated only with 100% oxygen. Among preterm newborns, 72.6% and 27.3% needed a thoracostomy or ventilator care, respectively. Conclusion: A pneumothorax is likely to develop when pulmonary disease occurs in neonates. Therefore, it is important to carefully identify pneumothorax and provide appropriate treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.495-502
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• 2010

Purpose : Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the newborn, particularly in preterm. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence rate, causative pathogens and clinical features of neonatal sepsis in one neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for 6 years. Methods : This study was retrospectively performed to review the clinical and laboratory characteristics including sex, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, length of hospitalization, length of total parenteral nutrition, presence of central venous catheter, underlying diseases, laboratory findings, microorganisms isolated from blood culture, complications and mortality in 175 patients between January 2003 and December 2008. Results : 1) Sepsis was present in 175 of 3,747 infants for 6 years. There were more gram-positive organisms. 2) The gram-negatives were more prevalent in preterm. There were no significant differences of other clinical features between two groups. 3) Underlying diseases were found in 73.7%, and the most common disease was cardiovascular disease. The most common organisms of gram-positives and gram-negatives were methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Serratia marcescens. 4) There was statistically significant difference on platelet counts between two groups (P<0.05). 5) Complications were found in 18.3% and septic shock was the most common. MRSA was the most common pathogen in sepsis with complication. 6) The mortality rate was 7.4%. 7) There were differences in monthly blood stream infection/1,000 patient-days. Conclusion : The studies about the factors that can influence neonatal sepsis will contribute to decrease the infection rates in NICUs.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2003

Objective : To evaluate the safety and efficacy of selective fetal reduction (SFR) and compare the outcome of twin pregnancy after SFR in multiple pregnancy induced by assisted reproductive technology (ART) with that of natural twin pregnancy. Methods : From September 1995 to March 2002 in Ajou University Hospital, SFR was performed in 79 patients whose gestational sacs were more than 3. Of these 79 patients, 47 patents resulted in twin pregnancy after SFR. SFR was performed using transvaginal intracardiac KCl injection at gestational age of $6{\sim}9$ weeks. Control group was composed of 264 patients with natural twin pregnancy, who delivered after intrauterine pregnancy at 24 weeks, from June 1994 through December 2002. We compared Obstetric and perinatal outcomes between SFR group and natural twin group. Results: Among 47 patients with twin pregnancy after SFR, 2 spontaneous abortion were occurred at intrauterine pregnancy at 8 and 19 weeks. Obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were available in 43 patients. Single intrauterine fetal death was occurred in 1 of 43 (2.3%) patients in SFR group. Incidence of preterm labor, premature rupture of membrane, preeclampsia and placenta previa were similar, but gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was occurred more frequently in SFR group (3 (7.0%) vs 4 (1.5%), p=0.02). Mean gestational age, mean birth weight, incidence of discordancy, use of intubation and ventilation, incidence of fetal anomaly, low (<7) Apgar score and intrauterine growth restriction were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Twin pregnancy after SFR has the increased incidence for GDM but other obstetric and perinatal outcome was similar compared with natural twin pregnancy. So SFR is a safe and effective procedure, so we suggest SFR is needed in multifetal pregnancy more than triplet.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.512-518
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• 2002

Purpose : Cerebral palsies are the most common and severe motor disabilities in childhood. There is currently increased interest in their occurrence and patterns of likely cause for a variety of reasons. Therefore, a retrospective study was carried out to understand the clinical features of cerebral palsy. Methods : A retrospective chart review was conducted of all children with cerebral palsy who were diagnosed at St. Benedict Hospital between March 1999 and March 2001. Results : Cerebral palsy patients were classified into 6 major groups. Of six groups, spastic diplegia is the most common type of cerebral palsy(55.3%). The risk factors of cerebral palsy were placenta previa(1 case), placenta abruption(1 case), cytomegalovirus infection(1 case), prematurity (53 cases), neonatal asphyxia(12 cases), dystocia(2 cases), breech delivery(1 case), multiple birth(5 cases), head trauma(3 cases), meningitis(2 cases) and unknown(26 cases). Among the 59 in the preterm group, 37 patients showed MR or CT images of periventricular leukomalacia. Among the 44 in the term group, 15 patients showed MR or CT images of atrophy. Among 103 patients, 29 patients(28.2%) had a seizure disorder. Conclusion : It is very importent to understand the clinical features and risk factors of cerebral palsy for physicians to diagnose and manage cerebral palsy patient.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2010

Purpose: The purposes of this study were in understanding maternal and neonatal risk factors for postpartum depression using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS). Methods: Among 788 women, who had delivery include cesarean section in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at OO medical center from May 28th 2008 to October 6st 2009, 72 women filled out EPDS questionnaire sheets. Additional aspects included for the analysis are maternal factors including age, number of children, parity, delivery method, and hemoglobin; and neonatal factors such as weight, sex, gestational age, apgar score, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Comparison was performed between the women with EPDS score equal or less than 8 and the women with EPDS score equal to or higher than 9 using statistical methods of student t-test for linear variables and chi-square test for non-linear variables. SPSS version 13.0 for windows was used for analysis. Results: Thirty women(41.7%) were included in the postpartum depression risk group (EPDS score ${\geqq}9$). Statistically significant difference(P<0.05) was found in gestational ages of the risk group($36.57{\pm}29.6$ weeks) and the non-risk group ($38.10{\pm}1.97$ weeks). Identified statistically significant risk factors(P<0.05) include cesarean section (OR=3.304 [1.121-9.744]), low birth weight infant(OR =6.500 [1.606-26.314]), preterm delivery(OR=2.857[1.071-7.621]), low apgar score (1minute) after delivery (OR=14.909 [1.750-127.025]). There was no statistically significant difference in maternal age, number of children, parity, hemoglobin, neonatal sex, apgar score (5minutes), NICU admission. Conclusions: Through the results showed, gestational age, delivery method, neonatal weight, apgar score(1minute) were identified as risk factors for postpartum depression. To prevent or minimize postpartum depression, oriental medical intervention is recommended for pregnant women through early detection.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.375-382
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• 2019

Abnormalities of trophoblast due to early inflammation in pregnancy increase the expression of CRP and affect maternal-fetal interactions, leading to preterm birth and preeclampsia. However, biomarkers related to the regulation of CRP expression have not been found. In this study, miRNA associated with increased expression of CRP was identified and their expression was analyzed to reveal biomarkers involved in the regulation mechanism of trophoblast inflammation through miRNAs. miRNAs that were predicted to regulate CRP gene expression in miRNA databases (mirna, TargetScan, MicroCosm) were screened and HTR-8/SVneo cell lines were treated with LPS (20 ng/mL) to induce inflammatory responses in vitro, with selected miR-7, miR-150, miR-186 and miR-424. The expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. As a result, expression of CRP was significantly increased in LPS-treated trophoblast (p<0.001) and miR-150 and miR-424 expression were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Thus, miR-150 and miR-424 are involved in the regulation of CRP expression in inflammatory-induced trophoblast and may be useful for the prenatal diagnosis of inflammatory obstetric diseases.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.32-50
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• 2000

A descriptive exploratory design was used in this study to evaluate the effects of sponge bathing on physiological(heart rate, heart period, vagal tone, oxygen saturation, respiration) and behavioral responses in newly born 40 preterm infants from intensive care unit of S University Hospital in Seoul. Data has been collected from October, 1997 to March, 1999. The infants were between 27-33 weeks gestational age at birth, and were free of congenital defects. The subjects entered the protocol when they were medically stable (determined by initiation of feeding and discontinuation of all respiratory support) but still receiving neonatal intensive care. The infants' physiologic parameters were recorded a 10 - minute before, during, and after bathing. Continuous heart rate data were recorded on a notebook computer from the infant's EKG monitor. The data were digitized off-line on software(developed by Lee and Chang in Wavelet program) which detected the peak of the R wave for each heart beat and quantified sequential R-R intervals in msec(i.e. heart periods). Heart period data were edited to remove movement artifact. Heart period data were quantified as : 1) mean heart period; 2) vagal tone. Vagal tone was quantitfied with a noninvasive measure developed by Porges(1985) in Mxedit software. To determine behavioral status, tools were developed by Scafidi et al(1990) were used. Collected data were analyzed with the SPSS program using paried t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The result were as follow. 1. The results of the ANOVAs indicated that vagal tone were signifcantly lower during bathing than baseline and post-bathing. There were significant differences in heart period and heart rate levels across the bathing. But the mean oxygen saturations and respirations were no differences. Also, there were no significant differences on behavioral sign, motor activity, behavioral distress, weight changes, morbidity, and hospitalization period. 2. To evaluate the relation between vagal tone and subsequent parameters, the two groups (the high group had 19 subjects and low group had 21subjects) were divided by the mean baseline vagal tone. Vagal tone measured prior to bathing were significantly associated with respiration before bathing, vagal tone during bathing, and the magnitude of change in both vagal tone. But, other subsequent reactivities were no differences in two groups. 3. Correlations were also calculated between vagal tone and the subsequent physiological reactivities from baseline through after- bathing. Correlations were significant between baseline vagal tone and baseline heart rate, between baseline vagal tone and baseline heart period, between baseline vagal tone and oxygen saturation after bathing. In summary, the bathing in this study showed a stressful stimulus on premature infants through there was significance in the physiological parameters. In addition, our study represents the documentation that vagal tone reactivity in response to clearly defined external stimulation provides an index of infant's status.