The Association between Socioeconomic Status and Obesity in Korean Children: An Analysis of the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012) / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Obesity is one of the most common health problems among children and its prevalence has increased in recent decades. Socioeconomic status (SES) is a well-known risk factor for childhood obesity although the associations were different across countries. Previous studies in other countries have reported a positive association between childhood obesity and SES in developing countries, and inverse correlation has been reported in developed countries. For this reason, we wanted to investigate the relationship between SES and obesity in Korean children. METHODS: Data were acquired 3,095 boys and girls who participated in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted from 2010 to 2012. Body mass index was calculated from measured anthropometric data using the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. RESULTS: Upon univariate analysis, we did not find any statistically significant differences in the parental employment status, monthly family income between children with and without obesity. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed childhood obesity was positively associated with maternal overweight (OR, 1.889; 95% CI, 1.079-3.309), maternal obesity (OR, 3.409; 95% CI, 2.228-5.215) and paternal obesity (OR, 2.135; 95% CI, 1.257-3.627). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that socioeconomic status might not an important risk factor for obesity in Korean children. These results warrant further studies to clarify the association between SES and obesity in Korean children.

Effect of Prophylactic Palivizumab on Admission Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Former Very Low Birth Weight Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of prophylactic palivizumab on hospitalization secondary to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection (RSVhospitalization) in former very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This study also sought to identify the risk factors of RSVhospitalizationin this particular infant population. A prospective observational study was conducted between September 2007 and April 2008 in seven Korean hospitals. Children with a history of very low birth weight, a diagnosis of BPD and who were <2 yr old at the onset of the RSV season were included in this study. Palivizumab injections were administered monthly for a maximum of five months during the RSV season. RSVhospitalization rates were reviewed, and RSVhospitalization rates between subgroups were categorized by gestational age, birth weight, and duration of ventilator care. A total of 90 subjects completed the follow-up interviews. The mean gestational age at birth was 26.1+/-1.7 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 889.4+/-222.2 g. The incidence of RSVhospitalization in the study population was 8.9% (8/90), and the mean hospital stay was 11.0+/-5.5 days, including one death. There were no statistically significant differences in the patients' demographic characteristics or risk factors for RSV hospitalization. When subgroup analyses were conducted, there were still no statistically significant differences. The administration of palivizumab prophylaxis during the entire RSV season is important in VLBWI with BPD, regardless of their gestational age and birth weight, or previous ventilator dependency.

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor Attenuates Hyperoxia-Induced Lung Injury by Down-Modulating Inflammatory Responses in Neonatal Rats

PURPOSE: Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been known to increase neutrophil production and have anti-inflammatory properties, but the effect of G-CSF on pulmonary system is in controversy. We investigated whether G-CSF treatment could attenuate hyperoxia-induced lung injury, and whether this protective effect is mediated by the down-modulation of inflammatory responses in a neonatal rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats (Orient Co., Seoul, Korea) were subjected to 14 days of hyperoxia (90% oxygen) beginning within 10 h after birth. G-CSF (20 microg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally on the fourth, fifth, and sixth postnatal days. RESULTS: This treatment significantly improved hyperoxia-induced reduction in body weight gain and lung pathology such as increased mean linear intercept, mean alveolar volume, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling positive cells. Hyperoxia-induced activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, which is responsible for superoxide anion production, as evidenced by upregulation and membrane translocation of p67phox was significantly attenuated after G-CSF treatment, as were inflammatory responses such as increased myeloperoxidase activity and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta. However, the attenuation of other proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 was not significant. CONCLUSION: In sum, G-CSF treatment significantly attenuated hyperoxia-induced lung injury by down-modulating the inflammatory responses in neonatal rats.

Analysis of prognostic factors of laparotomy for necrotizing enterocolitis in extremely low birth weight infants / 소아과

PURPOSE: With improved survival of extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), there is an increase in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) requiring laparotomy, and the risk of morbidity and mortality in these ELBWI is increased. Thus, we determined the prognostic factors in ELBWI who underwent laparotomy for NEC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 ELBWI who underwent laparotomy for NEC from January 2001 to December 2008 at Samsung Medical Center. RESULTS: Of 480 ELBWI, 35 required laparotomy for NEC; the mortality rate was 20% (Alive group n=28, Dead group n=7). The values of preoperative score for neonatal acute physiology-II (P=0.022) and fraction of inspired oxygen (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the dead group and values of base excess (P=0.004) were significantly lower in the dead group. Values of preoperative heart rate, respiration rate, mean blood pressure, pH, CO2, and potassium ion were not significantly different between the study groups. Intraoperative fluid volume was significantly higher in the alive group than in the dead group (P=0.045). Postoperative infusion rate was significantly lower in the alive group than in the dead group (P=0.022). CONCLUSION: Good preoperative condition, more intraoperative fluid infusion, and stable postoperative hemodynamic condition were factors associated with favorable prognosis of laparotomy for NEC in ELBWI.

Neonatal Resuscitation at Delivery Room in "gray zone" Extremely Low Birth-Weight Infants (gestational age < or =24 weeks) / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of modified neonatal resuscitation program (M-NRP) which intends to keep minimal handling, to stabilize initial vital signs in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI) in Samsung Medical Center, NICU. METHODS: Medical records of 128 ELBWI with gestational age (GA) < or =24 weeks who had been admitted to the NICU of SMC from January 2000 to December 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. The data of these patients with M-NRP (n=62) were compared with those with classic NRP (C-NRP) (n=66). RESULTS: These patients who received M-NRP had significantly higher in survived discharge rate (66% vs 47%, P=0.034), lower in mask ventilation (29% vs 97%, P<0.001), shorter incubator-in time (81+/-25min vs 138+/-50min, P<0.001), and higher 1'/5' APGAR score (1': 3.9+/-1.5 vs 2.6+/-1.3, P<0.001, 5': 6.6+/-1.7 vs 5.4+/-1.8, P<0.001) than those who received C-NRP. CONCLUSION: Improvement in survived discharge rate and 1'/5' APGAR score were noted in M-NRP group compared to C-NRP group in the management of GA < or =24 weeks ELBWI

Two Cases of Neonatal Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Treated by Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (V-V ECMO)

Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN) is a disorder of the vascular transition from fetal to neonatal circulation. It results in cyanosis due to right-to-left shunting of the blood through the ductus arteriosus and/or foramen ovale manifesting as hypoxemic respiratory failure. We managed two cases of PPHN after meconium aspiration with high frequency oscillating ventilators and inhaled nitric oxide. They did not respond to conventional management. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was provided, and ECMO weaning was possible resulting survivals in two cases. We report two PPHN cases, which were treated successfully with veno-venous ECMO for the first time in Korea.

Pathogens and Prognotic Factors for Early Onset Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the incidence, causative pathogens, risk factors and mortality for early onset sepsis in the first three days in very low birth weight infants. METHODS: The medical records of 1,124 very low birth weight infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center between November 1994 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence, causative pathogens, risk factors, and mortality for early onset sepsis in the first 3 days of life in very low birth weight infants were evaluated. RESULTS: Early onset sepsis, as confirmed by positive blood cultures, was present in 17 of 1,124 infants (1.5%). Sixty-four percent of the isolated pathogens were gram-positive bacteria and 35% of the isolated pathogens were gram-negative bacteria. The dominant pathogens of early onset sepsis included Staphylococcus aureus (23.5%), Esherichia coli (23.5%), and Enterococcus (17.6%). Vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-10.3; P=0.01) was associated with early onset sepsis. The overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4-6.5; adjusted P=0.0039) and mortality within 72 hours of life (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.5; 95% CI, 2.2-18.9; adjusted P=0.0005) of infants with early onset sepsis were higher than that of uninfected infants. CONCLUSION: Early onset sepsis remains an uncommon, but potentially lethal problem among very low birth weight infants. Knowledge of the likely causative organisms and risk factors for early onset sepsis can aid in instituting prompt and appropriate therapy, in order to minimize mortality.

Gastrointestinal surgery in very low birth weight infants: Clinical characteristics / 소아과

PURPOSE: To report our experience of gastrointestinal (GI) operations (OP) performed in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and to evaluate their clinical characteristics. METHODS: Among the 1,117 VLBWI admitted to the SMC neonatal intensive care unit from November 1994 to February 2007, the medical records of 37 infants who underwent GI OP (except inguinal hernia OP) and 1,080 VLBWI without GI OP were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The mean gestational age (27(+6)2(+3) vs. 28(+5)+/-2(+6)) and birth weight (979+/-241 g vs. 1,071+/-271 g) of the 37 VLBWI who underwent the GI OP was lower than the VLBWI without GI OP group (n=1,080). Mortality rates in the GI OP group were significantly higher than in the non GI OP group (28% vs. 15%, P<0.001). The incidence of cholestasis, retinopathy of prematurity and periventricular leukomalacia were higher in the GI OP group than in the non GI OP group, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was not significantly different between the GI OP group and the non GI OP group. For GI OP indications, focal intestinal perforation was most common and showed a more favorable outcome than necrotizing enterocolitis. Compared with an earlier 7-year period, 1994-2000, the incidence and survival rates increased in the subsequent 2001-2007 period. CONCLUSION: GI OP was associated with high mortality and morbidity in VLBWI. Further efforts to improve outcomes of GI OP in VLBWI should be investigated to improve the quality of care in VLBWI.

Periventricular leukomalacia induced by in utero clamping of pregnant rat aorta in fetal rats / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to develop an animal model of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) induced by in utero clamping of pregnant rat aorta in fetal rats. METHODS: A timed pregnanct Sprague-Dawley rat on embryonic day 21 just prior to delivery was sedated and anesthetized, and a Harvard ventilator for small animals was applied. Following laparotomy, the maternal aorta was clamped reversibly for 40 minutes using a surgical clip. The fetal rats were then delivered by Cesarean section, resuscitated if necessary, and reared by a surrogate mother rat until postnatal day 21 to obtain the brain specimen. After systemic perfusion and fixation, 10 microm thick serial brain sections were obtained and stained for pathologic examination and assessment of ventriculomegaly. Ventriculomegaly was assessed by the measured ventricle to total brain volume ratio. RESULTS: Eight out of eleven fetal rats (73%) survived in the ischemia group after induction of in utero ischemia by clamping maternal rat aorta, and all ten survived in the control group. Body and brain weights measured at postnatal day 21 were significantly lower in the ischemia group compared to the control group. In pathologic findings, significant ventriculomagaly (3.67+/-1.21% vs. 0.23+/-0.06%) was observed in the ischemia group compared to the control group; although cystic lesion was not observed, mild (n=6) and moderate (n=2) rerefaction of the brain tissue was observed. CONCLUSION: A fetal rat model of PVL induced by in utero clamping of pregnant rat aorta was developed.

The Clinical Manifestation and Prognosis of Benign Convulsion with Mild Gastroenteritis / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: Benign Convulsions with mild Gastroenteritis(CwG) were first reported in Japan by Morooka in 1982. The condition is recognized as a distinct clinical entity. It is characterized by previously healthy infants and young children aged 6 months to 3 years having afebrile brief generalized tonic-clonic convulsions between the first and the fifth sick days of viral gastroenteritis usually in winter. The patients are less than 5% dehydrated and the seizures tend to occur repetitively over several days with no eleptic discharges in the interictal electroencephalograms. The tests for rotavirus antigens in stool are frequently positive and other laboratory results are normal including cerebrospinal fluid, serum electrolytes and blood glucose. Also, they are known to have a good prognosis. The study intends to compare the clinical symptoms of CwG with normal body temperature and with high body temperature because mild gastroenteritis can induce fever. METHODS: The subjects were 42 patients diagnosed as GwG, who were admitted to Soonchunhyang University Hospital from May 2003 to March 2006. A Cohort study was performed and their characteristics were examined in terms of frequency, sex, age, monthly distribution, body temperature, days in hospital, seizure tups and duration, number of convulsions in one gastroenteritis period, family history, past history, and other symptoms of gastroenteritis RESULTS: The Total number of patients with gastroenteritis in the period were 635 and only 42(6.6%) patients were diagnosed as CwG. The mean age was 17.1+/-4.7 months, and it commonly occurs in winter. the typical symptoms of gastroenteritis were vomiting and diarrhea with 34(81.0%) patients having both symptoms simultaneously. Less vomiting and more diarrhea were noticed after seizure. Rotavirus antigens were positive in 18(51.4%) patients, and the number of seizures was 2.0+/-1.3 times during one gastroenteritis period. There were found no statistical differences in age, sex, days in hospital, seizure types and duration in those groups with and without fever and of pisitive and negative rotavirus antigens. CONCLUSION: CwG was defined as nonfebrile convulsions with gastroenteritis until nowadays, but there are no statistical differences between febrile and nonfebrile CwG. Therefore, febr ile seizures with gastroenteritis can be included in the same category of CwG.

A Case of Intrauterine Intracranial Hemorrhage due to Coagulopathy Caused by Chronic Intrauterine Liver Failure

The term "neonatal hepatitis" is used to designate hepatic inflammation of unknown cause. Liver failure is present with coagulopathy, metabolic instability, cholestasis, or other manifestations. It can be present with a chronic pattern with near normal serum aminotransferases, consistent with a prenatal liver injury. There have been case reports which show intrauterine intracranial hemorrhages associated with trauma, malformations or maternal coagulopathy. However, to our knowledge, there is no report of intrauterine intracranial hemorrhage resulting from fetal coagulopathy caused by chronic prenatal liver injury. We report a rare case of intrauterine intracranial hemorrhage due to intrauterine coagulopathy caused by chronic intrauterine liver failure.