Outcome Following Surgical Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to determine the factors affecting the outcome of patent ductus arteriosus ligation in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) and demonstrate the safety of PDA ligation in VLBWI performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1994 to July 2006, medical records of 94 VLBWI weighing < 1,500g who underwent PDA ligation in the NICU of Samsung Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively. Factors affecting the final outcome of PDA ligation were evaluated by dividing the infants into 3 groups according to mortality and major morbidities as follows: mortality group (Mo), major morbidity group (Mb), and no major morbidity group (NM). RESULTS: In the Mo group, birth weight was significantly lower and the preoperative mean FiO(2) and mean dopamine dose were significantly higher than those in the other 2 groups. There was no significant difference in gestational age, incidence of RDS, number of courses of indomethacin, surgery-related factors, including weight and age at surgery, perioperative vital signs, and complications after surgery between the 3 groups. During surgery in the NICU, there were no significant hemodynamic instability or serious acute complications. CONCLUSION: The factors affecting the outcome of surgery in VLBWI are not the factors related to surgery but the preoperative conditions related to the underlying prematurity. PDA ligation of VLBWI performed in the NICU is safe without serious complications.

The Effect of Early Enteral Trophic Feeding within 24 Hours after Birth in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants of 26 Weeks and Less, and Birth Weight below 1,000 g

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of early enteral trophic feeding within 24 hours after birth compared with being started within 7 days after birth in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all ELBWIs with gestational age of 26 weeks and less, and birth weight below 1,000 g, admitted within 24 hours after birth to neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2000 to June 2006 who were alive at the time of discharge. Data for nutritional status and morbidities were compared between Era 1 (n=76), in which early enteral trophic feeding was started within 7 days after birth and Era 2 (n=46), started within 24 hours after birth. RESULTS: Compared to era 1, despite that gestational age and enteral feeding strarting time of ELBWIs was significantly earlier (25(+4)+/-0(+6) vs. 24(+6)+/-1(+5) weeks, 4.5+/-5.1 vs. 0.7+/-1.3 days), the time to achieve full enteral feeding was significantly shorter, and the weight gain at corrected age of 36 weeks was significantly higher in era 2. Also the incidence of early and total confirmed sepsis, total parenteral nutrition induced cholestasis, was lower and the duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in era 2 compared to era 1, without differences in the incidence of NEC, moderate to severe BPD, and severe IVH (> or =Gr III) between two eras. CONCLUSION: Early enteral trophic feeding in ELBWI within 24 hours after birth was safe and beneficial.

A Case of Traumatic Pancreatic Transection with Main DuctDisruption and Pleural Effusion in a Child / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

An 8-year-old boy presented with abdominal pain and poor oral intake for two months. Serum amylase and lipase levels were elevated. CT of the abdomen and chest X-ray showed two pseudocysts at the pancreatic uncinate process, pancreatitis with a parenchymal defect, a large amount of ascites, and a right pleural effusion. MR cholangiography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopanreaticography revealed a pancreatic duct disruption. The patient was successfully treated with a chest tube placement and percutaneous drainage. After surgery, his general condition improved; the serum level of amylase normalized and the pleural effusion resolved. Pancreatic injuries are rare in pediatric blunt trauma; however, diagnostic difficulty is common with isolated blunt trauma. Therefore, a high index of suspicion should follow such an injury. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with pancreas transection, ductal disruption, ascites, and pleural effusion who was successfully treated.