Seasonality and etiology of croup in pediatric patients hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections: A long-term study between 2009 and 2017

PURPOSE: Croup is a common respiratory disease in children. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiology, etiology, and seasonal variations of respiratory virus infections in children with croup. METHODS: From October 2009 to September 2017, children admitted with croup to Gachon University Gil Medical Center under the age of 18 years were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively reviewed patients' medical records. RESULTS: A total of 1,053 of 27,330 patients (3.9%) infected with lower respiratory infections were diagnosed as having croup. In the age distribution, croup was most common (50.0%) in children aged 1 to <2 years. There were 2 peaks, the major in summer (July to August) and the minor in spring (March to May). Parainfluenza virus type 1 (15.8%) was most prevalent and coincided with the summer peaks of croup. Influenza virus type B and parainfluenza virus type 3 were the most frequent etiologic agents in a spring peak of croup. Although parainfluenza virus type 1 was predominant of all ages, human coronavirus was a significant cause of croup in children younger than 1 year, whereas influenza virus played an important role in children above the age of 3 years. CONCLUSION: Seasonality and epidemiology of croup varied with age and regions. Two peaks of seasonal fluctuation were in summer and spring, which were related to the seasonality of respiratory viruses in croup. These results may be helpful in planning clinical and research needs.

EEG can Predict Neurologic Outcome in Children Resuscitated from Cardiac Arrest / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: Early prediction of prognosis of children resuscitated from cardiac arrest is a major challenge. We investigated the utility of electroencephalography (EEG) and laboratory studies for predicting of neurologic outcome in children resuscitated from cardiac arrest. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients who were resuscitated from cardiac arrest from 2006 to 2015 at the Gil Medical Center. Patients aged one month to 18 years were included. EEG analysis included background scoring, reactivity and seizure burden. EEG background was classified score 0 (normal/organized), score 1 (slow and disorganized), score 2 (discontinuous or burst suppression), and score 3 (suppressed and featureless). Neurologic outcome was evaluated by Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) at least 6 months after cardiac arrest. RESULTS: Total 26 patients were evaluated. Nine patients showed good neurologic outcome (PCPC 1, 2, 3) and 17 patients showed poor neurologic outcome (PCPC 4, 5, 6). Patients of poor neurologic outcome group showed EEG background score 3 in 88.2%, whereas 44.4% in patients of good neurologic outcome group (P=0.028). Electrographic ictal discharges except non-convulsive status epilepticus were presented in 44.4% of good neurologic outcome group and 5.9% of poor neurologic outcome group (P=0.034). Ammonia and lactate levels were higher and pH levels were lower in poor outcome group than good neurologic outcome group. CONCLUSION: Suppressed and featureless EEG background is associated with poor neurologic outcome and electrographic seizures are associated with good neurologic outcome.

Behçet's disease with multiple splenic abscesses in a child

We report the case of a 5-year-old male patient with multiple aseptic splenic abscesses associated with Behçet's disease. The patient visited Gachon University Gil Hospital with fever, abdominal pain, and acute watery and bloody diarrhea, and reported a 2-year history of chronic abdominal pain and intermittent watery diarrhea. He was treated with antibiotics at a local clinic for fever and cervical lymph node swelling. Additionally, he had recurrent stomatitis. A colonoscopy showed multiple well-demarcated ulcerations throughout the colon, and abdominal computed tomography showed multiple splenic abscesses. Pathergy and HLA-B51 tests were positive. Investigations did not reveal any infectious organisms in the aspirate obtained via ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. After steroid treatment, all symptoms and multiple aseptic splenic abscesses resolved. However, oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and abdominal pain recurred after tapering the steroids. Infliximab treatment improved the patient's symptoms. However, 5 months after the treatment, the symptoms recurred. The treatment was changed to include adalimumab. Subsequently, the patient's symptoms resolved and colonoscopic findings improved. No recurrence was noted after 3 months of follow-up.