A study on the menstruation of Korean adolescent girls in Seoul / 소아과

PURPOSE: Westernized eating habits have been associated with early-age menstruation, which increases the incidence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls. We therefore surveyed changes in menarche timing and the general menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: We surveyed 538 teenage girls who visited our hospital between July and November 2007. Items explored included age at menarche, general menstrual characteristics, occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and treatment thereof, and an association between present dysmenorrhea and a family history of the condition. RESULTS: Average age at menarche was 12.6 years, with 29% (n=156) subjects beginning menstruation at age 12 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 82% (n=435). The main symptoms were abdominal (53.2%) and lower back pain (34.2%), and 15.2% of girls who experienced such symptoms required medication. Present dysmenorrhea, and a family history thereof, were statistically correlated (P<0.05). In addition, 58.8% (n=316) of teenage girls had symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The most frequent psychological symptoms were fatigue (36.4%) and nervousness (38.7%), whereas the most common physical symptom was menstrual cramps (46.5%). Most subjects (87.6%) tolerated the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome without medication; 11.4% took medicines including painkillers; but only 0.1% of subjects visited a doctor. CONCLUSION: The average age at menarche in Korean girls was 12.6 years, thus younger than in the past. Most teenage girls experienced dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, but few consulted a doctor. Organized treatment plans are required to manage menstrual problems in teenage girls.

A study of adolescent smoking and drinking in Korea / 소아과

PURPOSE: Adolescence is a period of growth and development in body structure and physiologic, psychologic, and social functioning. Smoking and drinking in this period are very harmful and may lead to other forms of substance abuse. We surveyed the actual aspects of smoking and drinking among Korean adolescents and analyzed associated factors. METHODS: A survey was performed among adolescents using a questionnaire about smoking and drinking. Data were collected from students who visited pediatric clinics for routine school examinations from July to November 2007. RESULTS: A total of 2,546 adolescents (smoking 1,512; drinking 1,034) participated in the study. The overall smoking and drinking rates were 29.2% and 48.2%, respectively, and the mean age at the first instance of smoking and drinking was 13.8 and 14.1 years, respectively. Among drinking adolescents, 30.1% were offered a drink by their parents, although most adolescents were encouraged to smoke or drink by their friends. Dissatisfaction with family and school life, economic status, and school performance was associated with a higher smoking and drinking rate (P<0.001). Broken families were associated with a high rate of smoking, but peer satisfaction was not related to smoking or drinking. The frequency and amount of smoking and drinking in adolescents were as high as those in adults. Social sanctions seemed insufficient to keep adolescents from smoking and drinking. CONCLUSION: Adolescent smoking and drinking are highly influenced by family and school environments, so more active social sanctions are required, including parental involvement and legislation preventing adolescents from smoking and drinking.

Detection of Viral Antigens in Stool Using EIA in Hospitalized Children and Clinical Implication / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to detect viral coproantigens in children who were hospitalized with acute diarrhea and to compare its association with clinical symptoms. METHODS: Seventy-four stool samples were collected from children admitted to Ewha Mokdong Hospital from March 1996 to December 1999. The samples were frozen and analyzed for rotavirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, astrovirus, and calicivirus by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with monoclonal antibody. 53 stool samples were collected from patients with diarrhea (diarrheal group) and 21 stool samples from patients hospitalized for reasons other than diarrhea (control group). Clinical features and laboratory findings were reviewed in both groups. RESULTS: Among 74 stool samples, virus antigens were detected in 60 samples. Of the 60 virus-positive stool samples, 47 enterovirus, 26 rotavirus, 16 adenovirus, 11 astrovirus, and 11 calicivirus antigens were detected by EIA. Of the 60 virus-positive stool samples, 28 samples have one viral antigen, 30 samples have 2 or more viral antigens, and 2 samples showed a simultaneous infection of Salmonella group B and enterovirus. There was no relationship between the detected virus and clinical features. CONCLUSION: In this study, viral coproantigen and clinical symptoms were not associated. In the future, further larger scale studies are necessary.

Predictive Factors of Saline Reduction under Ultrasound-guidance in Patients with Intussusception

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of saline reduction under ultrasound-guidance in patients with intussusception. METHODS: Ultrasound-guided saline enema reductions were performed in 105 patients with intussusception from September 1993 to April 1996 at Ewha Womans University Mok-dong Hospital. Clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings were analyzed as the predictive factors of ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction in 15 patients(14.3%) who were not reduced by saline enema reduction compared to 90 patients(85.7%) who were reduced. RESULTS: The mean age of the not-reduced group was 8.9+/-5.8 months old which was significantly younger than 14.5+/-15.4 months old of the reduced group(P0.05). Among the ultrasonographic findings, the thickness of the hypoechoic outer rim in the not-reduced group was 10.5+/-3.3mm which was significantly thicker than 7.4+/-1.8mm of the reduced group(P<0.05). In stepwise logistic regression analysis, hypoechoic outer rim thickness over 8mm contributed significantly as the predictive factor for the failure of ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The thickness of the hypoechoic outer rim over 8mm on ultrasonogram was the predictive factor for the failure of saline reduction.