Clinical Experiences and Selection of Accessory Devices for Pediatric Endoscopic Foreign Body Removal: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Korea

Background@#Swallowing of foreign bodies (FBs) is the most common indication of therapeutic endoscopy in children. Endoscopic removal may be necessary depending on the type of FB, age of the child, and location of the FB. We attempted to analyze the characteristics of each device used for the endoscopic removal of FBs in children. @*Methods@#Medical records of the patient’s age, sex, weight, type, location, size, shape, type of device used for endoscopic removal, and endoscopic time were retrospectively collected. @*Results@#A total of 424 FB removal procedures were analyzed. The average age of the patients at the time of FB removal was 4.1 ± 3.7 years. Coins were the most common FBs (192, 45.3%). The most common locations of the FBs were the esophagus (45.7%) and the stomach (48.3%), respectively. For a total of 371 cases, forceps were used in 96 cases (25.9%) for esophageal FBs and in 25 cases for gastric FBs (6.7%), while nets were used in 250 cases (67.4%) for gastric FBs retrieval; the average durations of the procedures were 7.2 ± 7.4 minutes, 8.5 ± 7.2 minutes, and 5.7 ± 7.3 minutes, respectively (P = 0.003). The procedure time was significantly shorter, in the group of patients with low body weights, when nets were used than when forceps were used to remove gastric FBs (P = 0.001). @*Conclusion@#The endoscopic procedure duration, in low-weight children, was shorter when retrieval nets were used than that with forceps.

Diagnosis of Nonmigrating Metallic Foreign Bodies in the Abdomen Using Ultrasound: An Alternative Approach Using a Traditional Method / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) is a common phenomenon among young children. Plain radiography is the first step diagnostic modality to detect the radio-opaque FBs. And computed tomography has been recommended by several guidelines as useful modalities for diagnosing ingested FBs. However, there is a risk of radiation exposure, making it burdensome to use in asymptomatic patients. Ultrasound (US) is not a commonly used technique for diagnosing ingested foreign bodies. However, US can provide real-time imaging with good resolutions without radiation exposure in pediatric patients. Herein, we report two pediatric cases of metallic foreign body ingestion that were successfully diagnosed using US for localizing foreign bodies. This study indicates that US may be used as an alternative method for detecting the localization of metallic foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract without exposure of radiation, particularly in pediatric patients.

Fecal Calprotectin Assay at an Early Stage of Treatment Can Be Used as a Surrogate Marker to Predict Clinical Remission and Mucosal Healing in Pediatric Crohn’s Disease / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#This study evaluated the predictive role of fecal calprotectin (FC) measured at an early stage of treatment for monitoring clinical remission (CR) after six months and endoscopic remission (ER) after one year of treatment in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD). @*Methods@#This retrospective study included 45 patients who simultaneously underwent ileocolonoscopy and FC testing during follow-up. FC levels were measured before and after six weeks of treatment. CR was assessed after six months of treatment using Pediatric Crohn’ s Disease Activity Index and acute-phase reactants. ER was assessed after one year using the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease. @*Results@#Twenty-nine (64.4%) patients used oral prednisolone for remission induction and 16 (35.6%) patients used anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Thirty (66.7%) patients achieved CR, while 24 (53.3%) achieved ER. The FC level measured after six weeks of treatment could predict CR (χ2 =9.15, p=0.0025) and ER (χ2 =12.31, p=0.0004). The δFC could predict CR (χ2 =7.91, p=0.0049), but not ER (χ2 =1.85, p=0.1738). With a threshold of ≤950.4 µg/g, FC at week six could predict CR with 76.7% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.769 (standard error 0.0773, p=0.0005). The same threshold predicted ER with 87.5% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. The AUC was 0.774 (standard error 0.074, p=0.0002). @*Conclusion@#FC assay at an early stage of treatment can be used as a surrogate marker to predict CR and mucosal healing in pediatric CD.

Clinical Characteristics of Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Children

Purpose@#Human parvovirus B19 infection is widespread and has a heterogeneous clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic infection to potentially life-threatening complications. We investigated the various clinical features of human parvovirus B19 infection during an outbreak of the virus in our community. @*Methods@#A retrospective chart review study was conducted at the Pusan National University Children's Hospital from December 2017 to April 2019. We investigated the clinical features of children with parvovirus B19 immunoglobulin M or parvovirus B19 DNA detected using polymerase chain reaction. @*Results@#A total of 24 children were diagnosed with parvovirus B19 infection. Twelve (50%) had lace form rashes, and four (16.7%) had petechial rashes. Two (8.3%) were diagnosed with fever without a focus. Six (25%) developed aplastic crisis as a complication of infection, of whom three were previously diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis and three with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. @*Conclusions@#In addition to erythema infectiosum, the parvovirus B19 infection can present clinically with various types of rashes and fever without a focus. Furthermore, hematologic manifestations such as neutropenia and aplastic crisis can occur during infection.

Cholecystectomy is Feasible in Children with Small-Sized or Large Numbers of Gallstones and in Those with Persistent Symptoms Despite Medical Treatment / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Purpose@#We investigated the clinical features and factors affecting the choice of treatment modality and the course of pediatric gallstone (GS) disease. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 65 patients diagnosed with GS using imaging studies between January 2009 and December 2017 were included. @*Results@#This study included 65 patients (33 boys and 32 girls; mean age, 8.5±5.3 years;range, 0.2–18 years) who primarily presented with abdominal pain (34%), jaundice (18%), and vomiting (8%). Idiopathic GS occurred in 36 patients (55.4%). The risk factors for GS included antibiotic use, obesity, hemolytic disease, and chemotherapy in 8 (12.3%), 7 (10.8%), 6 (9.2%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. We observed multiple stones (including sandy stones) in 31 patients (47.7%), a single stone in 17 (26.2%), and several stones in 17 (26.2%). GS with a diameter of <5 mm occurred in 45 patients (69.2%).Comorbidities included hepatitis, choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, and acute pancreatitis in 20 (30.8%), 11 (16.9%), 11 (16.9%), and 4 patients (6.2%), respectively. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was administered to 54 patients (83.1%), leading to stone dissolution in 22 patients (33.8%) within 6 months. Cholecystectomy was performed in 18 patients (27.7%) (mean age, 11.9±5.1 years). Most patients treated surgically had multiple stones (83%) and stones measuring <5 mm in size (89%), and 66.7% of patients had cholesterol stones. @*Conclusion@#Cholecystectomy is feasible in patients with small-sized or large numbers of GS and those with persistent abdominal pain and/or jaundice. UDCA administration with close follow-up is recommended in patients with uncomplicated GS.

Clinical and Imaging Findings of Neonatal Seizures Presenting as Diffuse Cerebral White Matter Abnormality on Diffusion-Weighted Imaging without any Structural or Metabolic Etiology

Purpose@#Some patients with neonatal seizures show diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions in the cerebral white matter. The aim of this study was to describe clinical and imaging findings of patients with neonatal seizures who had diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions without any structural or metabolic etiology. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 56 neonates aged less than 1 week underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluation of seizures from November 2008 to February 2017. After excluding 43 patients, 13 patients showed diffuse white matter abnormality on diffusion-weighted imaging. Initial and follow-up clinical and MRI findings were analyzed retro-spectively. @*Results@#All 13 patients were born at full term. Among the ten patients who underwent a stool test for viruses, six were positive for rotavirus and one for astrovirus. MRI revealed diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions distributed along the cerebral white matter, thalami, and midbrain variably. @*Conclusion@#Diffuse, symmetric diffusion-restricted lesions involving the cerebral white matter can be seen in patients with neonatal seizures without any structural or metabolic etiology. Rotavirus is commonly but not exclusively detected in these patients. Nevertheless, viral infection-associated encephalopathy should be considered for patients with characteristic clinical and MRI findings.

Successful rapid weight reduction and the use of liraglutide for morbid obesity in adolescent Prader-Willi syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), an imprinting disorder, results from the loss of expression of a paternal gene on chromosome 15q11-q13. Progressive obesity and its associated complications lead to increased morbidity and early death in PWS patients. The management techniques available for morbid obesity in adolescents and adults with PWS are limited. Herein, we report successful weight reduction in an adolescent PWS case showing morbid obesity and respiratory failure. An 18-year-old girl with PWS presented with diffuse cellulitis and dyspnea due to severe obesity. Her body weight had increased from 146 to 161 kg despite dietary restriction to 800 kcal/day, and a mechanical ventilator was required for dyspnea. During mechanical ventilation, the patient was managed using diuretics and by restricting fluid intake; her daily calorie intake was reduced to 200 kcal. This aggressive calorie and water restriction continued for 3 weeks and reduced her body weight to 118.6 kg. After transfer to the general ward, the patient was provided with growth hormone therapy and intensive aquatic rehabilitation and was administered liraglutide; as a result, her weight further decreased to 104 kg (body mass index [BMI], 50.8 kg/m2), and she was discharged. Following discharge, she maintained her BMI and adapted to 1,000 kcal/day for 1 year. Aggressive water and calorie restriction were observed as an effective method for rapid weight reduction in PWS patients, and liraglutide appeared useful in maintaining weight reduction in adolescent and adult PWS.

Medication-Related Knowledge and Medication Adherence in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background@#Non-adherence to oral maintenance therapy in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a significant healthcare problem. Knowledge of the prescribed medication can increase medication adherence. We aimed to investigate the relationship between medication adherence and disease-related knowledge of pediatric and adolescent patients with IBD. @*Methods@#We conducted a “pop quiz” to investigate the disease-related knowledge of pediatric patients with IBD who were followed-up at our institution and reviewed their medical records, including data on sex, diagnosis, age at diagnosis, and disease duration. Medication adherence was evaluated by the doctor in charge, and ≥ 80% of patients constituted the “good adherence group.” @*Results@#Of 93 patients, 59 (63.4%) were males, and 78 (83.9%) had Crohn's disease. The mean age at diagnosis was 13.8 ± 2.8 years; mean follow-up duration, 4.8 ± 3.4 years; and mean patient age, 18.6 ± 3.7 years. Only 65 patients (69.9%) knew the exact name of the medication they were currently taking, and 34 (36.6%) knew the correct dose. Only 15 patients (16.1%) knew the name of the medications they were previously taking. A total of 64 patients (66.8%) showed an adherence rate of 80% for the weekly prescribed oral medication. The patients in the poor adherence group were significantly older than those in the good adherence group (P = 0.035). The number of hospitalizations per year was statistically higher in the good adherence group (P = 0.024). The proportion of patients who knew the names of the medications they were previously taking and were aware of the side effects of the medications was significantly higher in the good adherence group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.020, respectively). @*Conclusion@#Adolescent IBD patients have lower oral medication adherence. Knowledge of the prescribed medications taken previously, and the adverse effects of these medications are associated with good adherence. IBD specialists should educate the patients regarding the disease and about their medication.

Medication-Related Knowledge and Medication Adherence in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background@#Non-adherence to oral maintenance therapy in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a significant healthcare problem. Knowledge of the prescribed medication can increase medication adherence. We aimed to investigate the relationship between medication adherence and disease-related knowledge of pediatric and adolescent patients with IBD. @*Methods@#We conducted a “pop quiz” to investigate the disease-related knowledge of pediatric patients with IBD who were followed-up at our institution and reviewed their medical records, including data on sex, diagnosis, age at diagnosis, and disease duration. Medication adherence was evaluated by the doctor in charge, and ≥ 80% of patients constituted the “good adherence group.” @*Results@#Of 93 patients, 59 (63.4%) were males, and 78 (83.9%) had Crohn's disease. The mean age at diagnosis was 13.8 ± 2.8 years; mean follow-up duration, 4.8 ± 3.4 years; and mean patient age, 18.6 ± 3.7 years. Only 65 patients (69.9%) knew the exact name of the medication they were currently taking, and 34 (36.6%) knew the correct dose. Only 15 patients (16.1%) knew the name of the medications they were previously taking. A total of 64 patients (66.8%) showed an adherence rate of 80% for the weekly prescribed oral medication. The patients in the poor adherence group were significantly older than those in the good adherence group (P = 0.035). The number of hospitalizations per year was statistically higher in the good adherence group (P = 0.024). The proportion of patients who knew the names of the medications they were previously taking and were aware of the side effects of the medications was significantly higher in the good adherence group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.020, respectively). @*Conclusion@#Adolescent IBD patients have lower oral medication adherence. Knowledge of the prescribed medications taken previously, and the adverse effects of these medications are associated with good adherence. IBD specialists should educate the patients regarding the disease and about their medication.

Newly Diagnosed Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome Presenting with Rectal Polyposis in a Male Pediatric Patient: A Case Report / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: Recommendations from the Committee on Pediatric Obesity of the Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

The Committee on Pediatric Obesity of the Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition newly developed the first Korean Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity in Children and Adolescents to deliver an evidence-based systematic approach to childhood obesity in South Korea. The following areas were systematically reviewed, especially on the basis of all available references published in South Korea and worldwide, and new guidelines were established in each area with the strength of recommendations based on the levels of evidence: 1) definition and diagnosis of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents; 2) principles of treatment of pediatric obesity; 3) behavioral interventions for children and adolescents with obesity, including diet, exercise, lifestyle, and mental health; 4) pharmacotherapy; and 5) bariatric surgery.

Usefulness of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Peptic Ulcer Disease in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to assess the clinical usefulness of transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS) in detecting peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in children. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (19 boys, 5 girls; mean age, 10.6±4.5 years [range, 3.0–17.9 years]) who were admitted to the hospital for acute abdomen or gastrointestinal bleeding and diagnosed with PUD by endoscopy and who underwent TUS were included. Clinical data were retrospectively collected by reviewing patient medical records. Gastric ulcer (GU) was suspected when the gastric wall exceeded 8 mm in thickness and had lost its five-layer structure on TUS. Duodenal ulcer (DU) was suspected if the duodenal wall thickness exceeded 5 mm. RESULTS: Sensitivity of TUS in diagnosing PUD was 66.7% for GU and 38.9% for DU. Mean age and body weight of the 11 patients suspected with PUD on TUS were 10.9±4.4 years and 38.1±17.2 kg, respectively. For 13 patients without suspected PUD, they were 12.1±4.1 years and 39.6±17.0 kg, respectively. There was a significant difference in height, weight, and body mass index between patients who were suspected to have PUD and those who were not suspected on TUS (p=0.014, 0.008, and 0.005, respectively). A significant difference in the sensitivity of TUS in diagnosing PUD was found between patients under 30 kg and those over 30 kg (88.9% and 20.0%, respectively; p=0.003). CONCLUSION: TUS investigation of the stomach and duodenum is an efficient method for PUD detection in children with low body weight. TUS can be used in preliminary diagnostic work-up before further invasive tests.

Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric obesity: recommendations from the Committee on Pediatric Obesity of the Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition / 소아과

The Committee on Pediatric Obesity of the Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition newly developed the first Korean Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity in Children and Adolescents to deliver an evidence-based systematic approach to childhood obesity in South Korea. The following areas were systematically reviewed, especially on the basis of all available references published in South Korea and worldwide, and new guidelines were established in each area with the strength of recommendations based on the levels of evidence: (1) definition and diagnosis of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents; (2) principles of treatment of pediatric obesity; (3) behavioral interventions for children and adolescents with obesity, including diet, exercise, lifestyle, and mental health; (4) pharmacotherapy; and (5) bariatric surgery.

Comparison of four nutritional screening tools for Korean hospitalized children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several nutritional screening tools were recently developed to screen the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized children, but have not been validated in Asia. We compared four nutritional screening tools for pediatric patients in evaluating nutritional risks in newly hospitalized children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Medical records of newly admitted pediatric patients between June 2016 and May 2017 at two tertiary hospitals were reviewed. Initial information by nurses and hospital records by doctors on baseline demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data at admission were collected in all subjects. Nutritional risks were evaluated using four nutritional screening tools including the pediatric nutritional risk score (PNRS), the screening tool for the assessment of malnutrition in pediatrics (STAMP), the paediatric Yorkhill malnutrition score (PYMS), and the screening tools for risk of nutritional status and growth (STRONGkids). RESULTS: A total of 559 patients (310 boys and 249 girls, mean age 6.3 ± 5.5 years) were recruited. Patients in medical and surgical departments were 469 (83.9%) and 90 (16.1%), respectively. The prevalence of patients at risk of malnutrition were 31.1% for low risk, 52.2% for medium risk, and 16.6% for high risk by PNRS; 11.4%, 39.7%, and 48.8% by STAMP; 26.5%, 25.4%, and 48.1% by PYMS; and 35.6%, 58.9%, and 5.5% by STRONGkids. PNRS versus STRONGkids and STAMP versus PYMS showed moderate agreement (kappa = 0.566 and kappa = 0.495, respectively). PYMS and STAMP revealed a relatively high sensitivity of 87.8% and 77.6% for wasting. CONCLUSION: Different nutritional screening tools revealed considerably different results in evaluating nutritional risks in newly hospitalized children. Since pediatric patients are at risk of malnutrition at admission and during hospitalization, screening tools should be applied properly according to the situation of each hospital.

Comparison of effectiveness of growth hormone therapy according to disease-causing genes in children with Noonan syndrome / 소아과

PURPOSE: To analyze the growth response to growth hormone (GH) therapy in prepubertal patients with Noonan syndrome (NS) harboring different genetic mutations. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with prepubertal NS treated at Pusan National University Children’s Hospital between March 2009 and July 2017 were enrolled. According to the disease-causing genes identified, the patients with NS were divided into 4 groups. Three groups were positive for mutations of the PTPN11, RAF1, and SOS1 genes. The five genes undetected (FGU) group was negative for PTPN11, RAF1, SOS1, KRAS, and BRAF gene mutations. The influence of genotype was retrospectively analyzed by comparing the growth parameters after GH therapy. RESULTS: The mean chronological age at the start of GH treatment was 5.85±2.67 years. At the beginning of the GH treatment, the height standard deviation score (SDS), growth velocity (GV), and lower levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF)-1 levels were not statistically different among the groups. All the 23 NS patients had significantly increased height SDS and serum IGF-1 level during the 3 years of treatment. GV was highest during the first year of treatment. During the 3 years of GH therapy, the PTPN11, RAF1, and SOS1 groups showed less improvement in height SDS, IGF-1 SDS, and GV, and less increase in bone age-to-chronological age ratio than the FGU group. CONCLUSION: The 3-year GH therapy in the 23 prepubertal patients with NS was effective in improving height SDS, GV, and serum IGF-1 levels. The FGU group showed a better response to recombinant human GH therapy than the PTPN11, RAF1, and SOS1 groups.

The Most Common Cause of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding without Other Symptoms in Children is Colonic Polyp: Is Total Colonoscopy Needed?

No abstract available.

Experience of Campylobacter gastroenteritis in Korean children: Single-center study / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: Although Campylobacter is the main cause for bacterial acute gastroenteritis (AGE), there has been no notable clinical research into it, especially for Korean children. In this study, we share our experience of clinical, laboratory and image findings with Campylobacter AGE. METHODS: Between May 2013 and June 2016, children diagnosed as having Campylobacter AGE were retrospectively enrolled in our study. Campylobacter AGE was considered diagnosed when a patient had symptoms of bacterial AGE and a positive Campylobacter result in stool using multiplex PCR. RESULTS: Among 539 patients with suspected bacterial AGE, 31 (5.8%) patients had a positive result for Campylobacter. The average age of the 31 patients was 10.2 ± 5.0 years with a range between 1.1 and 16.9 years. Eighteen (58%) of the total patients were hospitalized between June and August. Diarrhea (93.5%), abdominal pain (83%) and fever (83%) were common symptoms. For 20 patients (65%), diarrhea lasted for less than three days, and fever lasted for 2.1 days on average. Among the 20 patients subjected to imaging studies, 12 patients (60%) showed bowel wall thickening on the right side of colon. In blood tests of 30 patients, 22 (73%) and 29 (97%) patients exhibited leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein, respectively. During treatment for Campylobacter AGE, prediagnostic empirical antibiotics were used for 6 (19%) patients. All patients recovered without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Among the children with suspected bacterial AGE, 5.8% had a positive result on Campylobacter in stool using multiplex PCR. Therefore, we observe that Campylobacter AGE should be considered in school-age children who have diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.

Management of Pediatric Patients Presenting with Acute Abdomen Accompanying Dilatation of the Common Bile Duct / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe our treatment experiences with patients who had acute abdomen (AA) with common bile duct (CBD) dilatation. METHODS: The treatment outcomes in children with AA and CBD dilatation were retrospectively reviewed. According to the shape of the intrahepatic bile ducts on ultrasonography (US), the origin of the pain was estimated as choledochal cyst (CC) complication or choledocholithiasis in normal CBD. Patients with complicated CC underwent surgery, and patients with choledocholithiasis in a normal appearing CBD underwent symptomatic treatment initially. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients, 30 (88.2%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 6.4±4.9 (range, 0.8–17) years. Seventeen (50.0%) patients had CBD stones and 17 (50.0%) did not. Surgical treatment was performed in 20 (58.8%) patients, 2 of whom underwent preoperative stone removal with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and an operation. Conservative treatment was applied in 12 (35.3%) patients (8 with and 4 without stones), 1 of whom developed symptom relapse and underwent an operation. Among the 8 patients with CBD stones, 4 (4/17, 23.5%) had complete resolution of the stones and recovery of the CBD diameter after conservative treatment. US findings of patients with stone showed a fusiform or cylindrical shape of the CBD in 14 (82.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: The presence of stones in the distal CBD and the US features of CBD dilatation may be helpful to diagnose and treat the causes of biliary dilatation. Conservative treatment can be considered as initial therapy in patients with uncomplicated CBD dilatation with stone.

Nutritional Screening Tools among Hospitalized Children: from Past and to Present / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Increased awareness of the importance of nutrition among hospitalized children has increased the use of nutrition screening tool (NST). However, it is not well known the NST for hospitalized children. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the past and present state of adult and child NST and discuss the pros and cons of each NST.

The 2017 Korean National Growth Charts for children and adolescents: development, improvement, and prospects / 소아과

Growth charts are curves or tables that facilitate the visualization of anthropometric parameters, and are widely used as an important indicator when evaluating the growth status of children and adolescents. The latest version of the Korean National Growth Charts released in 2007 has raised concerns regarding the inclusion of data from both breastfed and formula-fed infants, higher body mass index (BMI) values in boys, and smaller 3rd percentile values in height-for-age charts. Thus, new growth charts have been developed to improve the previous version. The 2006 World Health Organization Child Growth Standards, regarded as the standard for breastfed infants and children, were introduced for children aged 0–35 months. For children and adolescents aged 3–18 years, these new growth charts include height-for-age, weight-for-age, BMI-for-age, weight-for-height, and head circumference-for-age charts, and were developed using data obtained in 1997 and 2005. Data sets and exclusion criteria were applied differently for the development of the different growth charts. BMI-for-age charts were adjusted to decrease the 95th percentile values of BMI. Criteria for obesity were simplified and defined as a BMI of ≥95th percentile for age and sex. The 3rd percentile values for height-for-age charts were also increased. Additional percentile lines (1st and 99th) and growth charts with standard deviation lines were introduced. 2017 Korean National Growth Charts are recommended for the evaluation of body size and growth of Korean children and adolescents for use in clinics and the public health sector in Korea.