How myeloproliferative neoplasms patients’ experience and expectations differ from physicians’: the international MPN Landmark survey

Background/Aims@#Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) were not paralleled with advances in treatment options; thus many questions regarding optimal MPN management remain unanswered. Here, we report the results of descriptive survey study of Korean MPN patients and their attending physicians. @*Methods@#A total of 105 Korean patients (myelofibrosis [MF], 39; polycythemia vera [PV], 25; essential thrombocythemia [ET], 41) and 30 physicians completed the Landmark Health Survey, then data from the survey were analyzed. @*Results@#Among the MPN-Symptom Assessment Form symptoms, the most severe symptom reported was ‘fatigue or tiredness’ in MF and ET patients and ‘itching’ in PV patients. The majority of the patients agreed that MPN reduced their quality of life (QoL). Interestingly, physicians gave higher scores regarding the impact of MPN on patient’s daily and social life compared to patients themselves. For patients, the most important treatment goal was symptom improvement regardless of MPN subtype, while for physicians the highest priority for treatment was better QoL regardless of MPN subtype. Generally, both patients and physicians were satisfied with the overall treatment/management of MPN and communications. However, many patients felt there was not enough time during the appointment for discussion, while many physicians felt they lacked effective drugs to offer to their patients. @*Conclusions@#Our study suggests there are room for better-standardized monitoring of symptoms and treatment options and those continuous efforts to bridge the gap between patients and physicians are necessary for better care of MPN patients.

Diagnostic performance of serum exosomal miRNA-720 in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background@#/Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with poor prognosis, largely due to late detection. Highly accurate biomarkers are urgently needed to detect early-stage HCC. Our study aims to explore the diagnostic performance of serum exosomal microRNA (miR)-720 in HCC. @*Methods@#Exosomal miRNA was measured via quantitative real-time PCR. A correlation analysis of exosomal miR-720 and tumor or clinico-demographic data of patients with HCC was performed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the diagnostic capacity of serum exosomal miR-720 for HCC, in comparison with α-fetoprotein (AFP) and prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II). @*Results@#MiR-720 was chosen as a potential HCC marker via miR microarray based on significant differential expression between tumor and non-tumor samples. Serum exosomal miR-720 was significantly upregulated in patients with HCC (n=114) versus other liver diseases (control, n=30), with a higher area under the ROC curve (AUC=0.931) than the other markers. Particularly, serum exosomal miR-720 showed superior performance in diagnosing small HCC (< 5 cm; AUC=0.930) compared with AFP (AUC=0.802) or PIVKA-II (AUC=0.718). Exosomal miR-720 levels showed marginal correlation with tumor size. The proportion of elevated miR-720 also increased with intrahepatic tumor stage progression. Unlike AFP or PIVKA-II showing a significant correlation with aminotransferase levels, the exosomal miR-720 level was not affected by aminotransferase levels. @*Conclusions@#Serum exosomal miR-720 is an excellent biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC, with better performance than AFP or PIVKA-II. Its diagnostic utility is maintained even in small HCC and is unaffected by aminotransferase levels.

Persistence of intrahepatic hepatitis B virus DNA integration in patients developing hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance

Background/Aims@#The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration into the host genome in hepatocarcinogenesis following hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance remains unknown. Our study aimed to investigate and characterize HBV integration events in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after HBsAg seroclearance. @*Methods@#Using probe-based HBV capturing followed by next-generation sequencing technology, HBV integration was examined in 10 samples (seven tumors and three non-tumor tissues) from seven chronic carriers who developed HCC after HBsAg loss. Genomic locations and patterns of HBV integration were investigated. @*Results@#HBV integration was observed in six patients (85.7%) and eight (80.0%) of 10 tested samples. HBV integration breakpoints were detected in all of the non-tumor (3/3, 100%) and five of the seven (71.4%) tumor samples, with an average number of breakpoints of 4.00 and 2.43, respectively. Despite the lower total number of tumoral integration breakpoints, HBV integration sites in the tumors were more enriched within the genic area. In contrast, non-tumor tissues more often showed intergenic integration. Regarding functions of the affected genes, tumoral genes with HBV integration were mostly associated with carcinogenesis. At enrollment, patients who did not remain under regular HCC surveillance after HBsAg seroclearance had a large HCC, while those on regular surveillance had a small HCC. @*Conclusions@#The biological functions of HBV integration are almost comparable between HBsAg-positive and HBsAgserocleared HCCs, with continuing pro-oncogenic effects of HBV integration. Thus, ongoing HCC surveillance and clinical management should continue even after HBsAg seroclearance in patients with CHB.

The effects of maternal body mass index and plurality on maternal and umbilical cord serum magnesium levels in preterm birth at less than 32 weeks of gestation

Objective@#To evaluate the effects of maternal body mass index (BMI) and plurality on maternal and umbilical cord serum magnesium levels after antenatal magnesium sulfate treatment. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 135 women treated with antenatal magnesium sulfate at less than 32 weeks of gestation between January 2012 and June 2018. Subjects were stratified into groups according to maternal BMI (group I [18.5–22.9 kg/m²], group II [23.0–24.9 kg/m²], and group III [≥25.0 kg/m²]) and plurality (singleton and twin). Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare the umbilical cord serum magnesium levels between the groups. @*Results@#Maternal serum magnesium levels were not significantly different between the maternal BMI groups and singleton and twin pregnancies. Umbilical cord serum magnesium levels were significantly different among the maternal BMI groups (3.3±1.2 mg/dL in group I, 3.3±1.2 mg/dL in group II, and 4.0±1.4 mg/dL in group III, P=0.003). The trend of increase in magnesium levels was statistically significant (P=0.001, Jonckheere-Terpstra test). Umbilical cord serum magnesium levels were not significantly different according to plurality. However, in the multivariable analysis, maternal BMI and plurality were not significantly associated with umbilical cord serum magnesium levels after adjusting for indication and total dose of magnesium sulfate treatment, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, neonatal sex, and birth weight. @*Conclusion@#Maternal BMI and plurality were not significantly associated with maternal or umbilical cord serum magnesium levels after exposure to antenatal magnesium sulfate treatment.

Comparison of Respiratory Outcomes between Less Invasive Surfactant Administration and the IntubationSurfactant-Extubation Technique in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Purpose@#To compare respiratory outcomes between less invasive surfactant admi nistration (LISA) and the intubation-surfactant-extubation (INSURE) technique in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective medical chart review for 75 premature in fants who were born at a gestational age (GA) of ≤34 weeks (between January 2017 and December 2019) and developed RDS after birth. Data on the demographic and outcome variables, including respiratory outcomes, were collected and compared between the infants who received LISA and those who received INSURE as a rescue therapy for RDS. @*Results@#No signifcant differences in GA, birth weight, and other demographic characteristics were found between the LISA and INSURE groups (GA: 28.7 weeks vs.28.8 weeks, P=0.449; birth weight: 1,236 g vs. 1,124 g, P=0.714). At the delivery room, although the infants showed no significant difference in positive pressure ventilation rate after birth, the LISA group showed a higher rate of continuous positive airway pressure application than the INSURE group. The infants in the LISA group presented a higher risk of requiring multiple doses of surfactant for RDS than the infants in the INSURE group (57% vs. 17.5%, P=0.001). However, the duration of invasive and/ or noninvasive respiratory support and incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia showed no signifciant difference between the two groups. @*Conclusion@#In the present study, no significant differences in the incidence of inhospital respiratory outcomes such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia were found between the LISA and INSURE groups. These results suggest that LISA can be an alternative therapeutic option for treating RDS to avoid intubation and mechanica ventilation in premature infants.

Sedation for Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Preterm Infants: Using Propofol under Anesthesiologist Supervision

Purpose@#We aimed to compare two different sedation protocols for brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preterm infants. One protocol used chloral hydrate (CH) with monitoring conducted by non-anesthesiologists, and the other used a continuous infusion of propofol (PF) with monitoring by anesthesiologists. @*Methods@#A total of 250 preterm infants born between January 2011 and December 2015 who received brain MRI during hospitalization in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were included in this retrospective study. In period 1, sedation for brain MRI was done using a single dose or multiple doses of CH with monitoring conducted by NICU medical staff. In period 2, an anesthesiologist prescribed a continuous infu­sion of PF and titrated the dosage for minimal and adequate sedation. Data on the adverse events, including desaturation and bradycardia, were collected and compared between periods 1 and 2. @*Results@#Despite similar gestational ages of the patients in periods 1 and 2, the infants in period 1 showed a higher risk of developing bradycardia after sedation compared to those in period 2 (30.2% vs. 14.8%; an adjusted odds ratio of 2.35; 95% confidence interval of 1.12 to 4.91). Infants who had an adverse event after sedation had a lower gestational age and corrected age at the time of MRI (26.8 weeks vs. 27.9 weeks, P=0.004; 37.3 weeks vs. 38.3 weeks, P=0.023). The duration of MRI was significantly longer in infants that had an adverse event than those that did not (70.9 minutes vs.64.3 minutes). After adju­sting for various clinical factors, lower gestational age, lower corrected age at the time of MRI, and period 1 increased the risk of developing adverse events after sedation for MRI. @*Conclusion@#The use of a continuous PF infusion with dose titration and monitoring by an anesthesiologist is safe and feasible as a sedation protocol for brain MRI in prematurely born infants.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Preterm Infants

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), few studies have investigated its use in preterm infants. This study evaluated the prognosis of preterm infants after CRRT and identified risk factors of mortality after CRRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in 33 preterm infants who underwent CRRT at the NICU of Samsung Medical Center between 2008 and 2017. Data of the demographic characteristics, predisposing morbidity, cardiopulmonary function, and CRRT were collected and compared between surviving and non-surviving preterm infants treated with CRRT. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors affecting mortality. RESULTS: Compared with the survivors, the non-survivors showed younger gestational age (29.3 vs. 33.6 weeks), lower birth weight (1359 vs. 2174 g), and lower Apgar scores at 1 minute (4.4 vs. 6.6) and 5 minutes (6.5 vs. 8.6). At the initiation of CRRT, the non-survivors showed a higher incidence of inotropic use (93% vs. 40%, p=0.017) and fluid overload (16.8% vs. 4.0%, p=0.031). Multivariable analysis revealed that fluid overload >10% at CRRT initiation was the primary determinant of mortality after CRRT in premature infants, with an adjusted odds ratio of 14.6 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.10–211.29. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the degree of immaturity, cardiopulmonary instability, and fluid overload affect the prognosis of preterm infants after CRRT. Preventing fluid overload and earlier initiation of CRRT may improve treatment outcomes.

The Impact of Surgical Intervention on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: a Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea

BACKGROUND: To investigate the incidence of surgical intervention in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and the impact of surgery on neurodevelopmental outcomes at corrected ages (CAs) of 18–24 months, using data from the Korean Neonatal Network (KNN). METHODS: Data from 7,885 VLBW infants who were born and registered with the KNN between 2013 to 2016 were analyzed in this study. The incidences of various surgical interventions and related morbidities were analyzed. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes at CAs of 18–24 months were compared between infants (born during 2013 to 2015, n = 3,777) with and without surgery. RESULTS: A total of 1,509 out of 7,885 (19.1%) infants received surgical interventions during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization. Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (n = 840) was most frequently performed, followed by laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity and laparotomy due to intestinal perforation. Infants who underwent surgery had higher mortality rates and greater neurodevelopmental impairment than infants who did not undergo surgery (P value < 0.01, both). On multivariate analysis, single or multiple surgeries increased the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment compared to no surgery with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.6 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.1–2.6 and 2.3 with 95% CI of 1.1–4.9. CONCLUSION: Approximately one fifth of VLBW infants underwent one or more surgical interventions during NICU hospitalization. The impact of surgical intervention on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes was sustained over a follow-up of CA 18–24 months. Infants with multiple surgeries had an increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment compared to infants with single surgeries or no surgeries after adjustment for possible confounders.

Primary Pulmonary Chordoid Meningioma

Primary pulmonary meningioma is a rare disease, and chordoid meningioma is an uncommon variant of meningioma in the central nervous system (CNS) with a high recurrence rate. We report a case of primary pulmonary chordoid meningioma that presented as a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). The SPN was resected by thoracoscopic wedge resection and was revealed to have characteristics of chordoid meningioma. After confirming the absence of a meningioma in the CNS by brain imaging, the nodule was diagnosed as a primary pulmonary chordoid meningioma. The patient remained disease-free after 26 months postoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the third case of primary pulmonary chordoid meningioma to be reported.

Cavernous Malformations at Optic Apparatus: Three Cases

Cavernous malformations (CMs) are angiographically occult vascular lesions, and their clinical presentations vary widely according to location of the lesion. Here, we reviewed three cases of CM located at the optic apparatus. All three patients experienced visual deterioration and underwent surgical resection. One achieved complete resection of the CM, whereas the others achieved subtotal resection. Visual symptoms of the two patients who achieved subtotal resection improved, but the visual symptom of the patient who achieved complete resection remained unchanged. One patient with subtotal resection presented postoperative improvement of visual symptoms but experienced deterioration in two years after surgical resection due to rebleeding from the remnant lesion, and he required a second operation. We recommend total resection of CM when feasible and regular follow-up after subtotal resection due to the risk of rebleeding.

Clinical Outcome of Nonfistulous Cerebral Varices: the Analysis of 39 Lesions

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral varices (CVs) without an arteriovenous shunt, so called nonfistulous CVs, are very rare, and their etiology and natural course are not well understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of nonfistulous CVs by the analysis of 39 cases.METHODS: From 2000 to 2015, 22 patients with 39 nonfistulous CVs (≥5 mm) were found by searching the medical and radiologic records of our institute. Clinical data and radiological data including numbers, sizes and locations of CVs and associated anomalies were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Previously reported cases in literature were reviewed as well.RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 21 years (range, 0–78 years). On average, 1.8±1.2 CVs were found per patient. CVs were categorized as either fusiform or saccular depending on their shapes. Two patients had saccular type CVs, seventeen patients had fusiform types, and three patients had both fusiform and saccular CVs. Eight patients had associated compromise of the vein of Galen and the straight sinus. Four of those patients had sinus pericranii, as well. Five patients had CVs that were distal draining veins of large developmental venous anomalies. One patient had associated migration anomaly, and two patients had Sturge- Weber syndrome. Six patients with an isolated cerebral varix were observed. Of the 39 CVs in 22 patients, 20 lesions in 14 patients were followed up in outpatient clinics with imaging studies. The average follow-up duration was 6.6 years. During this period, no neurological events occurred, and all the lesions were managed conservatively.CONCLUSION: Nonfistulous CVs seemed to be asymptomatic in most cases and remained clinically silent. Hence, we suggest conservative management.

Clinical Outcome of Nonfistulous Cerebral Varices: the Analysis of 39 Lesions

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral varices (CVs) without an arteriovenous shunt, so called nonfistulous CVs, are very rare, and their etiology and natural course are not well understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of nonfistulous CVs by the analysis of 39 cases. METHODS: From 2000 to 2015, 22 patients with 39 nonfistulous CVs (≥5 mm) were found by searching the medical and radiologic records of our institute. Clinical data and radiological data including numbers, sizes and locations of CVs and associated anomalies were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Previously reported cases in literature were reviewed as well. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 21 years (range, 0–78 years). On average, 1.8±1.2 CVs were found per patient. CVs were categorized as either fusiform or saccular depending on their shapes. Two patients had saccular type CVs, seventeen patients had fusiform types, and three patients had both fusiform and saccular CVs. Eight patients had associated compromise of the vein of Galen and the straight sinus. Four of those patients had sinus pericranii, as well. Five patients had CVs that were distal draining veins of large developmental venous anomalies. One patient had associated migration anomaly, and two patients had Sturge- Weber syndrome. Six patients with an isolated cerebral varix were observed. Of the 39 CVs in 22 patients, 20 lesions in 14 patients were followed up in outpatient clinics with imaging studies. The average follow-up duration was 6.6 years. During this period, no neurological events occurred, and all the lesions were managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Nonfistulous CVs seemed to be asymptomatic in most cases and remained clinically silent. Hence, we suggest conservative management.

Deep Neck Infection with Mediastinal Abscess Treated by Modified Vacuum-Assisted Closure Application

Deep neck infection is a surgical emergency that can result in life threatening complications such as airway obstruction, aspiration, thrombosis of major vessels and mediastinitis by spread of infection along fascial planes. Although appropriate surgical intervention and prompt antibiotics are given, revision surgeries are often required. We report a patient with mediastinal abscess caused by a deep neck infection that was initially intractable with usual surgical drainage but was eventually successfully treated with the modified application of a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device (InfoV.A.C. Therapy Unit; Kinetic Concept Inc., USA). We inserted silastic drain tubes into paratracheal area. It was difficult to pack the VAC foams, so they were prone to fail, with complete debridement. With modified VAC therapy assisted by silastic drain tube, the deeply located mediastinal abscess that had been unresponsive to conventional surgical drainage was successfully treated.

Comparison of Clinical Manifestation and Prognosis of Preterm and Full-Term Infants with Down Syndrome

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the clinical manifestation and prognosis of preterm and full-term infants with Down syndrome (DS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 80 patients diagnosed with DS and confirmed by chromosomal study at the Samsung Medical Center between January 1994 and July 2014. Data on demographic characteristics, associated anomalies, treatment, prognosis and cause of death were compared between preterm and full-term DS infants. RESULTS: Of the 80 confirmed DS patients, there were 49 (61%) full-term and 31 (38%) preterm DS infants. The mean gestational age of full-term DS infants was 38(+1)+/-0(+2) weeks (range, 37(+0)-40(+0) weeks) and the mean birth weight was 3,007+/-418 g (range, 1,930-4,100 g). The mean gestational age of preterm infants was 34(+1)+/-2(+1) weeks (range, 29(+1)-36(+6) weeks) and the mean birth weight was 2,181+/-598 g (range, 890-3,500 g). There were no differences in demographics, associated anomalies, mortality or related factors, or the rate of active treatment between full-term and preterm DS infants. CONCLUSION: In this single center study, the mortality rate of preterm DS infants was comparable to that of full-term DS infants. Larger national cohort studies might be needed to further investigate the prognosis of preterm DS infants.

Reverse V-Shape Kinking of the Left Lower Lobar Bronchus after a Left Upper Lobectomy and Its Surgical Correction

A 76-year-old male underwent a left upper lobectomy with wedge resection of the superior segment of the left lower lobe using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for non-small-cell lung cancer of the left upper lobe. He presented with shortness of breath, fever, and leukocytosis. Chest radiography showed atelectasis at the remaining left lower lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed narrowing of the left lower bronchus with purulent secretion, and computed tomography showed downward kinking of the left lower lobar bronchus. He underwent exploratory VATS, and intraoperative findings showed an inferiorly kinked left lower lobar bronchus with upward displacement of the left lower lobe. After adhesiolysis, the kinked bronchus was straightened, and bronchopexy was performed to the pericardium to prevent the recurrence of bronchial kinking. Also, the inferior pulmonary ligament was reattached to prevent upward displacement. Postoperative follow-up bronchoscopy revealed no evidence of residual bronchial obstruction, and chest radiography showed no atelectasis thereafter.

Subxiphoid Incisional Hernia Development after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

BACKGROUND: Median sternotomy can weaken the upper abdominal wall and result in subxiphoid incisional hernia. We evaluated risk factors associated with the development of subxiphoid incisional hernias after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 1,656 isolated CABGs performed between January 2001 and July 2010, 1,599 patients who were completely followed up were analyzed. The mean follow-up duration was 49.5+/-34.3 months. Subxiphoid incisional hernia requiring surgical repair developed in 13 patients (0.8%). The hernia was diagnosed 16.3+/-10.3 months postoperatively, and hernia repair was performed 25.0+/-26.1 months after the initial operation. Risk factors associated with the development of subxiphoid incisional hernia were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Five-year freedom from the hernia was 99.0%. Univariate analysis revealed that female sex (p=0.019), height (p=0.019), body surface area (p=0.046), redo operation (p=0.012), off-pump CABG (p=0.049), a postoperative wound problem (p=0.041), postoperative bleeding (p=0.046), and low cardiac output syndrome (p<0.001) were risk factors for the development of the hernia. Multivariable analysis showed that female sex (p=0.01) and low cardiac output syndrome (p<0.001) were associated with subxiphoid hernia formation. CONCLUSION: Female sex and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome were risk factors of subxiphoid hernia. Therefore, special attention is needed for patients with high-risk factors.

Colon Interposition in Children after Failed Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair

The most common surgical procedure used to manage tracheoesophageal fistula is the primary anastomosis of the esophagus. However, in the case of failed anastomosis, replacing the esophagus with another organ is necessary. We performed two procedures of colon interposition after failure of tracheoesophageal fistula repair. In those cases, stomach replacement was not possible because of a failed Ivor Lewis operation in one case and duodenal atresia in the other.

Left Ventricular Pseudo-pseudoaneurysm with Hemopericardium

We report a case of pseudo-pseudoaneurysm, which is a very rare complication of myocardial infarction. A 69-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with chest tightness and dyspnea. He had undergone aortic valve replacement with a pericardial bioprosthetic valve, ring mitral annuloplasty, and reconstruction of an aortic annular defect due to infective endocarditis with bovine pericardium 4 years prior. Echocardiography and computed tomography showed pericardial effusion and a 16-mm cavity at the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested either pseudo-pseudoaneurysm or myocardial abscess. We successfully repaired the myocardial defect using a patch made from a vascular graft with pledgeted horizontal mattress sutures under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Intrapericardial Implantation of an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in a Child

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can be a crucial therapeutic modality for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease, Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome and cardiomyopathy. Because transvenous implantation of ICD is mostly unfeasible for pediatric patients due to anatomical and technical limitations, epicardial patch type or subcutaneous type ICD have been used. Implantation of these alternative ICDs, however, was reported to be frequently associated with significant complications. We report a case of successful intrapericardial implantation of a single coil-type ICD through the transverse sinus in a 27 month-old child weighing lesser than 10 kg, and it was inferred from this experience that this alternative technique may decrease complications and morbidities after ICD implantation in children.

Influence of Computer Use Hours on Physical Development, Dietary Patterns, and Nutritional Status of Higher Grade Elementary School Children

This study was intended to investigate whether the computer use hours affect physical development, dietary habits, and nutritional status or not. One hundred and ninety elementary school students from Gyeonggi province and Seoul were selected and surveyed during December, 2006. Participants were divided into 2 groups: long-time computer user (> or = 2 hrs./day) and short-time computer user (< 2hrs./day). The survey included the questionnaires and anthropometric measurement. A dietary survey was conducted by using 24-hour recall method. The most of long-time computer user accessed computer more often than those of short-time computer user weekly bases. The purpose of the computer use was for the computer game (p < 0.05). Most participants accessed computer after the school at night and at their home. The longer the computer use, the more the body weight and %RBW (p < 0.05). Dietary habits score of long-time computer user (34.5 points) was lower than that of short-time computer user (38.0 points) (p < 0.001). The long-time computer user consumed more fatty foods, instant foods, and sugary foods. In case of dietary habit changes incurred by computer use, the long-time computer user had inferior dietary habits: skipping meals, meal size, appetite, eating speed, weight, exercise, and sleeping trouble (p < 0.05). The long-time computer user consumed less calories than the short-time computer user (p < 0.05). Also, the long-time computer user tended to have lower intakes of vitamin C, Ca, and dietary fiber without significance. From the findings, the longer use of computer by the elementary school children negatively affects their physical development, dietary habits and nutritional status.