ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Many inborn errors of metabolism can be completely cured with early detection and early treatment. This is why neonatal screening on inborn errors of metabolism is implemented worldwide. In this study, a cost-benefit analysis was performed on the neonatal screening of phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism in Korea. METHODS: This study included 2,908,231 neonates who took the neonatal screening on phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism in Korea from January 1991 to December 2003. From those neonates, the incidence rates of phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism were measured. Furthermore, based on 495,000 babies born in 2002, were calculated and compared the total costs in case when neonatal screening on phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism is implemented, and when not. RESULTS: If the neonatal screening on phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism is implemented, benefits far exceed costs at a ratio of 1.77:1 in phenylketonuria, and 11.11:1 in congenital hypothyroidism. In terms of wons, the present neonatal screening on phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism will gain us more than 29 billion wons every year. CONCLUSION: This study only concerns the monetary aspects of the neonatal screening. Therefore, the benefits of the neonatal screening is underestimated by ignoring precious but not measurable values such as quality of life. However, the present neonatal screening on phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism is found to be beneficial and should continue for the good of the nation as well as that of the patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Congenital Hypothyroidism , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Incidence , Korea , Metabolism, Inborn Errors , Neonatal Screening , Phenylketonurias , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), a rheumatic disease of unknown causes, is characterized by autoantibodies directed against self-antigens, resulting in inflammatory damages to target organs including kidney, blood-forming cells, and central nervous system. The prevalence rates are higher in Native Americans, Asians, Latin Americans and black people. A female to male ratio of approximately 2 : 1 occurs before puberty, and 4 : 1 after puberty. Children of SLE most frequently present with fever, fatigue, arthralgia or arthritis, and rashes. The diagnosis is confirmed by clinical and also laboratory manifestations satisfying at least 4 out of 11 criteria. A central nervous system is not rarely involved in children of SLE with the prevalence rate of 23-44%. However, cerebral infarcts are not a common phenomenon and can be seen only for 6% of children with SLE. There have been no cases reported in Korea. This is why we present a case of basal ganglia infarct associated with SLE in a 19-month old girl. We report this case with a brief review of related literature.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Arthralgia , Arthritis , Asian People , Autoantibodies , Autoantigens , Basal Ganglia , Central Nervous System , Diagnosis , Exanthema , Fatigue , Fever , Indians, North American , Kidney , Korea , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Prevalence , Puberty , Rheumatic DiseasesABSTRACT
Shaken baby syndrome develop as a form of child abuse, with the majority of cases occurring during the first year of life. It results from extreme rotational cranial acceleration and deceleration effects induced by violent shaking of an infant. The characteristic injuries include subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages, and retinal hemorrhages. We experienced three cases of shaken baby syndrome. Although the history of trauma was little known, all of these cases had subdural hemorrhages. We present the cases with a review of related literature.