ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes of maternal mortality ratio and the causes of death in Korea during 1995-2000. METHODS: Maternal mortality data were collected through two stages: collection of registration data and maternal mortality survey at medical institutions. The cause of death was judged by agreement of three obstetrician. RESULTS: Maternal mortality ratio decreased from 20 (per 100,000 live births) in 1995 to 18 in 1999 and 15 in 2000. The mortality ratio was higher for women 35 years and older. Postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and obstetric embolism are three main causes of maternal death which comprised about half of all maternal death. CONCLUSION: Maternal mortality ratio decreased during 1995-2000. All causes of maternal death decreased since 1995. However obstetric embolism appeared to be relatively more important cause of death in 1999-2000.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Cause of Death , Embolism , Korea , Maternal Death , Maternal Mortality , Mortality , Postpartum HemorrhageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Korean Red Cross (KRC) supplies above 98% of blood components used in Korea. The KRC reports the blood collection data annually, but the transfusion data at hospital were not included in this report. The blood supply and utilization data in 1988 were surveyed to produce basic statistics of blood collection at the blood centers and transfusion at hospitals. METHODS: Transfusion data were collected from two hundred and nine hospitals, which belong to the Korean Hospital Association. We received the answers of completed survey questionnaires about blood bank activities in hospital transfusion services. The blood collection data were cited from the KRC annual report. RESULTS: Among 93,486 beds in total hospital, 32%, 10% and 7% of the beds are located in Seoul, Pusan and Taegu, respectively. The usage of red blood cells showed a good correlation with the hospital bed numbers. However, most of the FFP and platelet concentrates were used in Seoul, Pusan, and Kyunggido. The average number of RBCs transfused per bed was 13.1 units, FFP 6.4 units, and platelet concentrate 8.5 units. The average usage of blood components increased in proportion with the bed number increases. The numbers of RBCs transfused showed a good correlation with those of FFP and platelet, respectively (RBC vs. FFP r=0.68, RBC vs. platelet concentrate r=0.72). The upper top ten ranked hospitals in usage of blood components were mostly university hospitals. Forty five percent of total whole bloods, 22% of packed RBC, 37% of FFP, and 43% of platelet concentrates were used in these top ten ranked hospitals. CONCLUSION: The averages of blood component transfusion units and the loss of blood from collection to transfusion for the patients were higher than those of other developed countries. Finally, for further effective blood usage, we should analyze the blood component transfused in hospital annually, and the supply of blood components by KRC should be controlled according to the demands of transfusion in hospitals.
Subject(s)
Humans , Blood Banks , Blood Component Transfusion , Blood Platelets , Developed Countries , Equipment and Supplies , Erythrocytes , Hospitals, University , Korea , Red Cross , Seoul , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to analyze obstetric and neonatal causes of Korean neonatal deaths. METHODS: The study subjects are a cohort of infants who were born during 1996 and who died before their first birthday. The data were collected through three stages of the study: the collection of existing data, a national infant mortality survey at medical facilities, and data integrating and adjusting process. The sources of existing data were health insurance data and the resident registration data. The National infant mortality survey was conducted by both 'Ministry of Health and Welfare' and 'Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs'. 3930 medical and health facilities where obstetrics services are available were surveyed during November 1998. The survey results were computerized to match data sets, and any overlap among different data sets were filtered. Causes of deaths were grouped according to the KCD (Korean Standard Classification of Diseases). Causes of neonatal death were further analyzed using composite causes combining obstetric and neonatal conditions. RESULTS: Causes of 2,433 neonatal death were known out of 2,856 deaths. "Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period" comprised 77.1% of neonatal death, being the most common cause. The next common cause was 'congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities', constituting 15.7% of neonatal death. Among the 'certain conditions originating in the perinatal period', 'respiratory distress of newborn' constituted 17.1% of neonatal deaths and 'disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight', constituted 15.6% of neonatal deaths. Neonatal sepsis constituted 14.8% of neonatal death. Among congenital malformations 'congenital malformation of the heart' was most common, constituting 6.2% of neonatal death. 'Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period' was more important cause of preterm neonatal death. Of the related maternal condition, idiopathic preterm birth, multifetal pregnancy, premature rupture of the membranes and hypertensive diseases during pregnancy were common conditions. Congenital malformation was the most important cause of term neonatal death. CONCLUSION: Prematurity-related condition was more important cause of preterm neonatal death while congenital malformation was the most important cause of term neonatal death.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant , Pregnancy , Cause of Death , Classification , Cohort Studies , Dataset , Gestational Age , Health Facilities , Infant Mortality , Insurance, Health , Membranes , Obstetrics , Parturition , Premature Birth , Rupture , SepsisABSTRACT
The author analysed statistically 221 cases of the ocular injuries, among 4056 out-and-in patients who visited to the Red Cross Hospital, during the period of 1979. 6. 1. ~ 1980. 5. 31. The incidence of ocular injuries was 5.4% of all patients. The incidence was exceedingly more common in male (76.5 %) and in the age of first to second decade (56.6 %). The ocular injuries were more common in the spring (33.1 %). Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a most common in the ocular injuries (21.8 %). Small flying particles, such as sand, dust, and iron piece, were most common causative agent of ocular injuries. At the first visit, 15.8 % of all cases were markedly decreased visual acuity and 2.5 % of all cases were not improved. The prognosis of the ocular injury is good with early adeguate management of trauma.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Diptera , Dust , Hemorrhage , Incidence , Iron , Prognosis , Red Cross , Silicon Dioxide , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
This 24 yrs. old male pt. visited our hosptial on september 1971, with complaints of visual disturbance, ocular pain in Lt. eye. Behcet's disease is usually Characterized by the triad of Hypopyon, uveitis, aphthous ulcer of the mouth and genitalia. A brief review of literatures has been descrived.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Genitalia , Mouth , Stomatitis, Aphthous , UveitisABSTRACT
A case of pulsating exophthalmos is reported in a 50 years old Korean Woman. The complaints of this case were exophthalmos, chemosis on Rt. eye and intracranial bruit. The etiology of this case is considered due to toxemia of pregnancy and hypertension without trauma. A brief review of the literatures related with the etiology, symptom and therapy is made.