Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen change in low birth weight infants during their first days of life / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in serum creatinine and correlation between gestational age or birth weight and serum creatinine in low birth weight infants in the immediate postnatal period. METHODS: Medical records of all premature infants, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Hallym University Hospital between January 2003 and December 2007, were reviewed. 162 infants met our inclusion criteria. Medical records were reviewed for : birth weight, gestational age, length, gender, APGAR scores, use of medications, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) during the first days of life. Premature infants were separated into three groups according to their birth weight: 500 to 999 g; 1,000 to 1,499 g; and 1,500 to 2,000 g. RESULTS: Scr was found to decrease postnatally, however there was a delay in the decrease of Scr in the subgroup of infants<1,000 g BW, Scr was also found to decrease with increasing birth weight at 1 week after birth (Pearson test, p=0.01). Serum BUN was found to decrease with increasing birth weight at 1 week after birth (Pearson test, p=0.00). CONCLUSION: In low birth weight infants Scr decrease during the first days of life. However, in infants smaller than 1,000 g birth weight there is a delay in the decrease of their Scr that extends beyond the first days of life. Our findings indicate progression of renal function is directly correlated to birth weight.

Clinical features of transient small bowel intussusception in children / 소아과

Purpose: We analyzed the clinical features, management and outcome of small bowel intussusception in children compared with ileocolic intussusception. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 210 children with documented intussusception, in whom intussusception was initially diagnosed by ultrasonography during the four-year period of 2002 to 2005. Results: A total of 191 children were diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception and 19 were diagnosed with small bowel intussusception. Children with small bowel intussusception were older than children with ileocolic intussusception (P<0.05). In comparison to patients with ileocolic intussusception the characteristic presenting symptoms-such as currant jelly stool and palpable mass-were rarely observed in patients with small bowel intussusception. In ileocolic intussusception, air reduction (92.2%), or surgical reduction (7.3%) was performed; however, in small bowel intussusception, spontaneous reduction (78.9%) was observed and no surgical reduction was required in our study. Conclusion: Conservative management with close observation and follow-up sonographic evaluation rather than an immediate operation is recommended for children with small bowel intussusception.

Two cases of central nervous system complications caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection / 소아과

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations in children and young adults, the main one being pneumonia. M. pneumoniae is transmitted from person to person by infected respiratory droplets. Symptoms caused by M. pneumoniae infection can be divided into those involving the respiratory tract, and those caused by extrapulmonary disease. M. pneumoniae infections may cause central nervous system (CNS) complications-with encephalitis being the most frequent-and stroke being a rare complication. The pathogenesis of the CNS disease is unclear; possibilities include direct infection and an immune-mediated reaction. We present two cases of CNS complications subsequent to infection with M. pneumoniae; both cases had convincing evidence of preceding M. pneumoniae respiratory disease with no evidence of viable M. pneumoniae in the cerebrospinal fluid. We report cases of encephalitis and stroke following a recent M. pneumoniae infection.

A Clinical Study of Child Abuse / 소아과

PURPOSE: To promote awareness and efforts by pediatricians to identity and prevent child abuse by investigation of characteristics of victim and types of injury caused by abuse. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed with 20 patients who had been diagnosed or suspected as child abuse at Hallym University Hospital from January 1999 to December 2005. The medical records, radiologic documents, and social worker's notes were reviewed to investigate age, sex, visiting time, form of abuse, perpetrator, risk factor, and type of injury. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 2.8 years. Fourteen patients were between 0-1 years old, 2 patients between 1-6 years old, 3 patients between 7-12 years old, and 1 case over 13 years old. The ratio of male to female was 1:1. The majority of these patients (70%) visited via emergency department. Eight five percent of these patients reported with physical abuse, 5% psychological abuse, 5% sexual abuse, and 5% neglect respectively. The suspected perpetrator was the biological father in six cases, the biological mother in three cases, the stepmother in two cases, caregiver in one case, relatives in one case and "unknown" in six cases. Bruise and hematoma (80%) were the most common physical findings. Skull fractures were diagnosed in six cases, long bone fractures in two cases, hemoperitoneum in two cases, subdural hemorrhage in 10 cases, epidural hemorrhages in two cases, subarachnoidal hemorrhages in two cases, and retinal hemorrhages in five cases respectively. Seventeen cases required hospitalization and surgical operations performed were in nine cases. Four patients died and three patients had sequalae such as developmental delay and quadriplegia. CONCLUSION: Child abuse results in high mortality and morbidity in victims. Therefore early recognition and prevention is very important. Pediatricians should always suspect the possibilities of abuse in cases of fracture, intracranial hemorrhage, abdominal injury, or even any injury to the body. We recommend that the clinical investigation of suspicious children should include a full multidisciplinary social assessment, a skeletal survey and CT or MRI.

Percutaneous Nephrostomy Combined with Antifungal Agent Therapy for Both Hydronephrosis and Obstructive Uropathy in VLBW Infant

With increasing survival of smaller, more immunocompromised preterm infants, the incidence of invasive fungal infection is increasing among NICU patients, with highly associated morbidity and mortality. The most common site of end organ dissemination in premature infants with fungemia is the renal system. Renal fungal infection is followed by acute pyelonephritis and renal cortical abscess, and leads to obstructive nephropathy and renal failure. We recently experienced a case of VLBW infant who was dignosed as both hydronephrosis and obstructive uropathy due to Candida albicans that was treated intravenous amphotericin B combined with direct daily irrigation into the renal pelvis via percutaneous nephrostomy catheter.

A survey of infant sleep positions associated with sudden infant death syndrome / 소아과

PURPOSE: As the prone position is thought to be an important factor in sudden infant death syndrome(SIDS), this study was conducted to contribute to reducing SIDS by analyzing sleeping positions of infants. METHODS: A face-to-face questionnaire was carried out with a total of 170 parents with a baby aged less than 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 170 infants included 95 males(55.9 percent) and 75 females(44.1 percent); their average age was 2.8 months. 45.3 percent slept in a supine position; 34.7 percent in a side or supine position; 7.1 percent in a side position; 4.7 percent in a prone position; 4.1 percent in a non-specific position. Among those in a side position, 59.7 percent were in a supine position in the morning; 19.5 percent were in the side position; 13.4 percent were in a non-specific position; and 4.1 percent were in a prone position. To the question why they slept in a specific position, 34.9 percent answered their baby slept comfortably, and particularly, 42.9 percent in the prone position group answered so. In the supine position group, 21.6 percent answered they had no reason. Both in the prone position and side position groups, 21 percent each answered they were worried about the shape of their baby's head. In the side position group, 22 percent answered that they had a fear of choking due to vomiting. In all sleeping position groups, 8.2 percent and 7.4 percent answered it was because they had a fear of suffocation and they wanted to avoid SIDS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Many of the parents preferred unstable positions, e.g. the side position and the prone position, which could cause SIDS. Their decision on their baby's sleeping position was not based on exact medical knowledge, but on convenience in taking care of their baby. As it was found that only 6 percent of the subjects were advised from their pediatrist about their baby's sleeping position, moreover, it is necessary to carry out more studies and activities for preventing SIDS caused by improper sleeping positions and educating patents about recommended sleeping positions for their baby.

Expression of Nerve Growth Factor during Urinary Bladder Development / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the developmental expression pattern of nerve growth factor(NGF) in the urine of healthy children. It was hypothesized that NGF may contribute to the development of the spinobulbospinal micturition reflex that represents the adult micturition pattern. METHODS: Voided urine was collected in 60 healthy children during the first 5 years of life(0-1 month, n=10; 1 month-1 year, n=10; 2 years, n=10; 3 years, n=10; 4 years, n=10). The urinary NGF was analyzed by using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results were normalized based on creatinine or total protein in urine. RESULTS: NGF was significantly greater among neonates compared to other age groups(P<0.05). NGF levels declined during 1 month to 1 year and increased by age 2 years. NGF levels at age 3 years were less than in neonates examined. When comparing the NGF levels according to continence in children over 1 year old, NGF levels were significantly lower in children with continence than in children with incontinence(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that NGF is involved in the achievement of continence and in mechanisms of bladder nerve growth and in the reorganization of bladder reflex pathway.

A Case of Neonatal Hydrometrocolpos Accompanying Urinary Tract Obstruction / 소아과

Neonatal hydrometrocolpos is the cystic dilatation of the vagina and uterus, which is caused by the combination of vaginal obstruction such as imperforate hymen, transverse vaginal septum, or vaginal atresia, and glandular secretion by maternal estrogenic stimulation. Although hydrometrocolpos is a rare congenital abnormality unlike pubertal hematocolpos, it is one of the relatively common abdominal masses in neonates. In typical cases the diagnosis may be determined easily by the combination of a pelvic mass, upper urinary tract dilatation and a bulging membrane in the vaginal introitus. The presense of a lower abdominal mass in a female infant should always arouse suspicion of hydrometrocolpos and lead to careful examination of the vagina. We report a case of neonatal hydrometrocolpos due to imperforate hymen which was initially presented as a large abdominal mass and a bulging membrane in the vaginal introitus. For 72 hrs, the abdominal mass increased rapidly, accompanied by urinary tract obstruction. It was relieved by a simple incision of the imperforate hymen and drainage of 300 cc of whitish mucoid vaginal fluid, and by Foley catheter drainage of 750 cc urine. No other anomaly was observed.

A Clinical Study of Sepsis with Thrombocytopenia in Premature Infants / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study was performed to characterize sepsis with thrombocytopenia in premature infants to determine if thrombocytopenia is a prognostic factor in sepsis in premature infants. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of sepsis in premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit(N=41) at the Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital from January 1999 to December 2002. The incidence, risk factors, symptoms, hematologic and bacteriologic findings were analyzed during episodes of sepsis. RESULTS: Of the 41 cases, 29(72%) were associated with thrombocytopenia. The ratio of male to female was 1.2 : 1. The vast majority(98%) were late-onset sepsis. The risk factors of the thrombocytopenic group were low birth weight and low gestational age. Major symptoms were poor activity (72%), apnea/tachypnea(52%), but were not significantly different between two groups. In the thrombocytopenic group(N=29), low total WBC count and high CRP level were discovered(P=0.03, P<0.01). The mean platelet count was 70.17(x103/mm3) at diagnosis of sepsis, and a mean platelet nadir was 43.10(x103/mm3). The severe thrombocytopenia(below 50x103/mm3) in the thrombocytopenic group was discovered in 69% and the duration of thrombocytopenia was about eight days. The majority of pathogens were gram-negative bacteria and candida. The thrombocytopenic group showed a pro longed length of stay and a high mortality rate. According to comparisons between the survived and expired groups, low birth weight, low gestational age, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were significantly correlated with mortality(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The sepsis with thrombocytopenia in premature infants showed late-onset sepsis and high morbidity and mortality, although differences were not significant statistically. Especially, low birth weight and low gestational aged infants should be cautiously treated and monitored.

A Clinical Study and Sonographic Findings of Neonatal Adrenal Hemorrhage / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study was performed to present out experience of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage (NAH) and to help diagnosis and management of NAH. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on 14 neonates diagnosed as NAH from January 1993 to August 2002 at Hallym Medical Center. Their clinical manifestations, risk factors, sonographic findings and progression of NAH were evaluated using medical records. RESULTS: There were 12 male cases and two female cases. All cases were full-term babies. In terms of method of delivery, there were 13 cases of vaginal delivery and one case of cesarean section. The most common symptom was jaundice(10 cases). Poor feeding, vomiting, anemia, scrotal swelling with bluish discoloration, abdominal distension and cyanosis were also noted. The risk factors included perinatal asphyxia(five cases), large baby(three cases), sepsis(one case) and birth trauma(one case). Twelve cases(85.7%) involved the right adrenal gland, one case(7.1%) the left side and one case(7.1%) bilateral. In abdominal sonography, hemorrhage was seen as an isoechoic mass with central anechoic portion(35.7%), a central hypoechoic mass with peripheral hyperechoic portion(28.6%), an anechoic cystic mass(28.6%) and a heterogeneous hyperechoic mass(7.1%). Only a conservative treatment was sufficient in all cases. In the 12 cases(85.7%) followed up, size of hemorrhage was reduced in repetitive sonography without any complications. CONCLUSION: The review of these patients emphasizes the subtle and diverse clinical presentation of adrenal hemorrhage in neonates and stresses the importance of repetitive abdominal sonography in establishing the diagnosis.

A Clinical and Radiologic Study of Acute Focal Bacterial Nephritis in Children

PURPOSE: To raise awareness of the clinical importance of, and the need for proper management of acute focal bacterial nephritis(AFBN), we analyzed 22 AFBN patients and 22 other upper urinary tract infection patients by use of comparative studies. METHODS: From January 2000 to May 2002, 22 AFBN patients aged from 1 month to 12 months were selected. As a control group, 22 UTI patients with no radiologic abnormalities were selected and matched by age and sex. RESULTS: The incidence of AFBN was more common in boys than in girls. Since both groups had similar symptoms, it was difficult to diagnose AFBN by clinical presentations alone. ESR and CRP were significantly higher in AFBN patients. The most common causative organism was E. coli in both groups. On the sonographic findings, the most lesions were seen on the upper lobe of the kidney; more frequently, on left kidney. The lesions showed globular or wedge-shaped increased echogenecity. 99mTc-DMSA scan showed the complete coincidence of the location, size and shape in all cases compared to the findings of renal sonography. CONCLUSION: The roles of renal sonography and DMSA scan were very important, and ultrasonography was an excellent initial tool in diagnosing AFBN. Since the degree of infection in AFBN is more severe than other urinary tract infections and evollution into a renal abscess is possible, early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotics therapy is essential.

Five Cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken baby syndrome is a serious form of child abuse, mostly involving children younger than 2 years. It results from extreme rotational cranial acceleration induced by violent shaking. The characteristic injuries include subdural hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, and fracture of ribs or long bones. If physicians have no recognition of, or suspicion about, shaken baby syndrome, this syndome is difficult to diagnosis because of a lack of obvious external signs and failure of the abuser to admit his or her actions. In addition to the high mortality, 60% of survivors have significant long term neurologic and developmental abnormality. The authors experienced five cases of shaken baby syndrome presented with seizures or vomiting, without external signs of trauma. All of these cases had subdural hemorrhages, and four cases had retinal hemorrahges. In our follow up, two children were found to have sequelae such as quadriplegia, monoplegia, and developmental delay. We emphasize that early recognition and prompt treament are key to overall success of case management. The incidence of shaken baby syndrome can be reduced through public awareness and education of parents not to shake a babies.

A Clinical Study of Acute Colonic Diverticulitis in Children

PURPOSE: Children with acute colonic diverticulitis(ACD), can be misdiagnosed with acute appendicitis. METHODS: We reviewed 15 cases of ACD during five years, from January 1998 to June 2002 retro spectively. RESULTS: Most patients(80%) with ACD in children presented with right lower quadrant pain. The primary diagnosis on admission was mostly acute appendicitis(87%), and all ACD in children occurred in the right colon. Fourteen patients were managed by conservative treatment including antibiotics. A follow-up study was performed in 15 patients. There were symptomatic recurrences in two patients, but no significant complication was noted. The frequency of ACD was 11.7 per 1000 acute appendicitis. CONCLUSION: ACD in children can mostly be cured by conservative treatment. It is prudent to choose the management through the diagnostic work up, including abdominal sonography and computed tomography, because there was no significant difference of clinical findings between ACD and acute appendicitis.

A Clinical Study of Acute Symptomatic Seizures in Children

PURPOSE: The present study was designated to sex, age, etiology of acute symptomatic seizures, which refer to the seizure caused by specific and transient pathophysiologic abnormalities in the central nervous system and other systems, and furthermore to analyze the incidence of acute symptomatic seizures before and during hospitalization. METHODS: The medical records of six hundred and ten convulsive children under fifteen years of age, who visited the Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital from January 1999 to May 2001, were reviewed. One hundred and fourteen cases out of them were analyzed, and febrile seizures and unprovoked seizures were excluded. RESULTS: Among six hundred and ten children who had seizure during hospitalization, one hundred and fourteen(18.7%) had acute symptomatic seizures exclusive of febrile seizures and unprovoked seizures. The ratio of male to female was 1:2.1 and the peak age was three or less, accounting for 93.9%. Acute symptomatic seizures were caused by acute gastroenteritis(42.0%), metabolic/toxic disturbances(34.1%), cerebrovascular diseases(8.8%), CNS infections(8.0%), hypoxemia(4.4%), brain tumors(1.8%), and others(0.9 %). Remarkably, hypocalcemia and shaken baby syndrom were up to 82.1% of metabolic/ toxic distubances and 30.0% of cerebrovascular diseases, respectively. Among the one hundred and fourteen patients, 41.2% suffered from seizures before and during hospitalization and 11.4% did not before but did during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Eighteen point seven percent of the cases of convulsions reviewed were classified into acute symptomatic seizures exclusive of febrile seizures and unprovoked seizures with the male to female ratio of 1:2.1 and high incidence age of three or less years. The leading causes of acute symtomatic seizures were acute gastroenteritis and hypocalcemia, comprising 70%. Shaken baby syrome and hyponatremia due to water intoxication can be prevented by public education about the danger, and central nervous system infection can be reduced by vaccine development and nationwide vaccination against the bacteria causing the central nervous system infection. In addition, appropriate prevention and management of seizure attacks are required for the patients with acute symptomatic seizures during hospitalization.

Effects of Antenatal Steroids on Neonates / 대한주산의학회잡지

No abstract available.

The Case Report of a Child with High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Treated with Allogenic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

Allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation could be used instead of allogenic bone marrow in treatment of leukemia in children. This 10-year-old female patient with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia received a myeloablative regimen followed by allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from an HI A-identical sibling donor. Neutrophil recovery to greater than 500/pL occurred at day 11 and platelets recovered to greater than 20,000/pL at day 13. Allogenic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation can be performed safely and may result in a rapid neutrophil and platelet engraftment, without any apparent increased risk of acute graft versus host disease.

Is Pneumocystis carinii vertically transmitted to neonatal rats?

Pneumocystis carinii is a pulmonary pathogen of immunocompromised humans or other mammals. Its infection results from activation of organisms involved in latent infection or from new infection through the air. Almost all children are known to be infected within 2 to 4 years of birth, though prenatal transplacental transmission has not yet been demonstrated. In this study we observed experimental P. carinii infection in neonatal rats, thus investigating the possibility of transplacental vertical transmission by Diff-Quik staining of the lung impression smears and in-situ hybridization for lung sections. The positive rate of P. carinii infection in immunosuppressed maternal rats was 100%, but that in normal maternal rats was 0%. Cystic forms of P. carinii were observed in three of six 1-week old neonatal rats born of heavily infected mothers, but none of them was positive by in-situ hybridization. Five weeks after birth, cystic forms were detected in four neonatal rats. In the lobes of the lungs, no predilection site of P. carinii was recognized. Counts of cystic forms on smears and the reactivity of in-situ hybridization in the lungs of neonatal rats were significantly lower than in maternal rats. The present findings suggest that P. carinii is rarely transmitted through the placenta and proliferates less successfully in the lungs of neonatal rats than in mothers.

A Clinical Analysis on Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children Caused by Influenza Virus in Children

PURPOSE: Although annual epidemics occur, there are only a few clinical studies on influenza in Korea. We evaluated the epidemic and clinical features of acute lower respiratory tract infections in children by influenza virus. METHODS: From Feb., 1995 to July, 1997, influenza virus isolations and clinical review were performed on hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections at Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital. RESULTS: The influenza virus was isolated in 34 out of 545 (6.2%) patients examined. The number of influenza A and B viruses isolated were as follows : 0 and 2 from Feb. to March, 1995, 8 and 1 from Nov., 1995 to May, 1996, and 15 and 9 from Dec., 1996 to June, 1997. The patients were 27 boys and 7 girls with a mean age of 27.6 +/- 25.1 months. Eight patients (23.5%) had preceding underlying diseases such as asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and ventricular septal defect (VSD) with Down syndrome. Three out of twenty-two patients surveyed had been vaccinated against influenza virus before infection. The acute lower respiratory tract infections diagnosed were pneumonia in 11, bronchiolitis in 9, croup in 8, and tracheobronchitis in 6 patients. Fever, cough, and rhinorrhea developed in all patients and fever continued for a mean 5.5 +/- 4.0 days. All patients recovered without antiviral treatment except one expired case with penumonia/VSD/Down syndrome. CONCLUSION: Acute lower respiratory tract infections caused by influenza virus developed every winter and spring during the period of the study. Influenza vaccination before epidemic season should be encouraged in risky patients.

A Clinical Study on Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections by Adenovirus in Children

PURPOSE: This study was performed to characterize the epidemiologic and clinical features of acute adenoviral lower respiratory tract infections. METHODS: Culture and indirect immunofluorescence for adenovirus was done with nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections from April to September, 1996. Cultured virus was serotyped for type 3, 4, and 7a by neutralization test, and medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: Adenovirus was isolated from 29 of 187 (15.5%) patients. Monthly distribution from May to September, 1996 was 4, 17, 7, 0, and 1 case, respectively. Seventeen out of 18 cases serotyped (94.4%) were type 7. Male to female ratio was 21:8 and ranged in age from 1 month to 8 years with a mean of 22.6 +/- 22.5 months. Clinical diagnosis was pneumonia in 18, tracheobronchitis in 6, and bronchiolitis in 4 cases. The main clinical features were cough (100%), sputum (100%), fever (89%), pharyngeal injection (85%), increased ESR (76%) and CRP (64%), and leukocytosis (59%). Radiologic findings of chest, included consolidation (40.7%), parahilar peribronchial infiltration (22.2 %), pleural effusion (7.4%), and hyperaeration (3.7%). The mean duration of admission was 8.9 +/- 5.1 days and all the patients showed favorable clinical outcome without acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSION: There was a respiratory epidemic by adenovirus between May and July, 1996, and 17 out of 18 cases serotyped was type 7. All of the 29 patients with acute adenoviral lower respiratory tract infections improved without significant complication.

A Clinical Study on Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections by Adenovirus in Children

PURPOSE: This study was performed to characterize the epidemiologic and clinical features of acute adenoviral lower respiratory tract infections. METHODS: Culture and indirect immunofluorescence for adenovirus was done with nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections from April to September, 1996. Cultured virus was serotyped for type 3, 4, and 7a by neutralization test, and medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: Adenovirus was isolated from 29 of 187 (15.5%) patients. Monthly distribution from May to September, 1996 was 4, 17, 7, 0, and 1 case, respectively. Seventeen out of 18 cases serotyped (94.4%) were type 7. Male to female ratio was 21:8 and ranged in age from 1 month to 8 years with a mean of 22.6 +/- 22.5 months. Clinical diagnosis was pneumonia in 18, tracheobronchitis in 6, and bronchiolitis in 4 cases. The main clinical features were cough (100%), sputum (100%), fever (89%), pharyngeal injection (85%), increased ESR (76%) and CRP (64%), and leukocytosis (59%). Radiologic findings of chest, included consolidation (40.7%), parahilar peribronchial infiltration (22.2 %), pleural effusion (7.4%), and hyperaeration (3.7%). The mean duration of admission was 8.9 +/- 5.1 days and all the patients showed favorable clinical outcome without acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSION: There was a respiratory epidemic by adenovirus between May and July, 1996, and 17 out of 18 cases serotyped was type 7. All of the 29 patients with acute adenoviral lower respiratory tract infections improved without significant complication.