Effects of Early Phosphorus Intake on Respiratory Distress in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of early phosphorus intake on respiratory distress in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) with a high incidence of hypophosphatemia. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to target 164 ELBWIs admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Birth characteristics, nutritional intake, and electrolyte levels during the first week were investigated as predictors that would affect the clinical outcomes. The correlations among invasive ventilation at postnatal age of 2 weeks, moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and phosphorous intake were analyzed. RESULTS: Hypophosphatemia (phosphorus level <4 mg/dL) was observed in 72.0% of the subjects. The rates of invasive ventilation (P=0.001) and moderate-to-severe BPD (P=0.005) were significantly lower in the high phosphorus intake group (≥0.7 mM/kg/day) than in the low phosphorus intake group (<0.7 mM/kg/day). Phosphorus intake during the first week was a significant factor affecting invasive ventilation at 2 weeks of age (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 8.212; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.256 to 28.896; P=0.001) and moderate-to-severe BPD (adjusted OR, 3.402; 95% CI, 1.274 to 9.084; P=0.015). CONCLUSION: Early insufficient phosphorus intake confers a significantly higher risk with invasive ventilation at 2 weeks of age and moderate-to-severe BPD. Therefore, early sufficient phosphorus supply may improve respiratory outcomes in ELBWIs.

The Association between Admission Hypothermia and Neonatal Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of admission hypothermia on neonatal outcomes in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). METHODS: Medical records of 153 preterm infants, with birth weights <1,500 g and gestational ages <32 weeks, were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics and neonatal outcomes in infants who experienced moderate hypothermia during the first hour of life (Group I) were compared to those in infants with mild hypothermia or normothermia (Group II). RESULTS: Fifty of 153 infants experienced moderate hypothermia after birth. Group I had lower birth weight than Group II (867.8±304.4 g vs. 1,140.3±247.5 g, P<0.001), and were younger than Group II (27.6±2.6 weeks vs. 29.1±1.9 weeks, P<0.001). Adjusted proportion of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN) were higher in Group I than in Group II (56% vs. 21.8%, P=0.005), (9.1% vs. 1.5%, P=0.019). Multiple logistic regression analysis that did not control for PPHN (model II) showed that gestational age (Odds ratio [OR] 0.93, P=0.001), moderate hypothermia (OR 4.07, P=0.013), and surgical patent ductus arteriosus (OR 4.96, P=0.023) were associated with moderate to severe BPD. Association of moderate hypothermia with moderate to severe BPD was invalid when further multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for PPHN (model I), which had a strong association with moderate to severe BPD (OR=15.46, P=0.039), was performed. CONCLUSION: Moderate hypothermia after birth in VLBWIs was associated with PPHN and moderate to severe BPD. The association between moderate hypothermia and moderate to severe BPD might be mediated by PPHN.

Restricted Usage of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants for Early-Onset Sepsis as Quality Improvement Program

PURPOSE: The prevalence of antibiotics resistant bacterial infection among preterm infants has been increased due to indeliberate use of prophylactic broad spectrum antibiotics. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of restricted usage of prophylactic antibiotics by comparing the incidence of culture proven early onset sepsis (EOS). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study for extremely low birth weight infants who were born in Seoul National University Children's Hospital during 2009-2014. The groups were divided into two periods, from 2009 to 2011 (period I) and from 2012 to 2014 (period II) based on the implementation on quality improvement activity since 2012. The indication of prophylactic antibiotics were; 1) umbilical vein catheter (UVC) insertion for resuscitation in delivery room, 2) prolonged preterm premature rupture of membrane >18 hours, 3) maternal fever during labor or sustained septic amniotic fluid. The incidence of EOS and the rate of empirical antibiotics usage were compared between two periods. RESULTS: A total of 245 infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit during the study period. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics were similar between two periods except UVC insertion rate. The rate of empirical antibiotics usage significantly decreased in period II (71.1% for period I vs. 56.4% for period 2, P=0.022). Incidence of EOS was not different between two periods whether prophylactic antibiotics use or not. CONCLUSION: Quality improvement for reducing prophylactic antibiotics use may be effective to reduce a use of antibiotics without increasing EOS.

Therapeutic Plan for Benign Polypoid Lesion of Gallbladder

PURPOSE: Since the laparoscopic cholecystectomy became an usual procedure, operative indications of the gallbladder polyps have had the tendency to enlarge. There are no precise management plan about the gallbladder polyps which is not included in the accepted operative indications. Therefore a management plan may be required for the patients who has gallbladder polyps which is not accepted operative indications. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 106 patients with gallbladder polyps who were diagnosed preoperatively by ultrasound and CT from January 1991 to January 2005. Our operation indications are polyp above 10 mm, symptomatic polyp, sessile polyp, coincidence of stone, focal thickening of gallbladder wall, diffuse wall thickening and detection during other operations. The gallbladder polyps which were suspected to the gallbladder cancer strongly on radiologic studies and polyps above 20 mm size were excluded in this studies. RESULTS: Among the 106 patients, 87 patients underwent operation, and polypoid lesions disappeared during the follow-up period in 3 patients, and 16 patients are on regular follow up. Fifty-six cases received operation with accepted operative indications, and the thirty-one cases underwent operation by the patient's demand. Two groups showed significant difference in true polyp on pathological diagnosis (P < 0.001). There was 16.07% true polyp in opertive indication based 56 patients and no true polyp in patient's demanded 31 cases. The pathologic diagnoses were cholesterol polyp in 27 patients (87.15%), no polyp in 2 patients, adenomatous hyperplasia in 2 patients. The correlation of the polyp size and pathologic diagnosis was an inverse relation to the polyp size and incidence of pseudopolyp (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: We propose that the 6-month-interval follow-up observation is fully safe for polyps sized below 10 mm and not included in accepted operative indications.

Clinical Analysis of Intestinal Volvulus

PURPOSE: The intestinal volvulus is difficult to diagnose, and if the treatment and diagnosis are delayed, there is a risk of high mortality. This study was performed to ensure the more proper management method and diagnostic modality of volvulus. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1998, 16 patients with a diagnosis of colonic and small intestinal volvulus were managed in Soonchunhyang University Chunan Hospital. Medical charts were reviewed, retrospectively and follow-up was done. RESULTS: 15 among the 16 patients with volvulus underwent the operation. The one case was diagnosed and expired before operation. The resection of the lesion and primary anastomosis had been generally selected as the procedure of choice. Segmental resection of the sigmoid colon with primary anastomosis was performed on 7 cases of the sigmoid volvulus. There were 6 cases of the small bowel volvulus, of which 5 cases got a segmental resection of the small bowel with primary repair and the one got a total resection of the small bowel with gastrocolostomy. The right hemicolectomy was performed in 2 cases which were the right colon volvulus. 9 cases of morbidity were developed; there were 5 cases of wound infection and others were enterocutaneous fistula, pulmonary infection, and septic shock respectively. There were three mortality. CONCLUSION: If the small bowel volvulus is present or gangrenous signs are developed, and the management of the intestinal volvulus is delayed, there can be serious complications and the course can be life-threatening. Therefore, if gangrene or small bowel volvulus are suspected, operative management should be seriously considered.