Health-Related Quality of Life and Cognitive Functioning at On- and Off-Treatment Periods in Children Aged between 6-13 Years Old with Brain Tumors: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to examine the relationship between intelligence and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children (6-13 years old) diagnosed as having a brain tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We administered a Korean version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, version 4.0 (PedsQL), the Korean version of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, and the Korean Version of the Parenting Sense of Competence (K-PSOC) scale before or after initial radiotherapy (T1) and after treatment termination (T2). In total, 13 patients completed both the T1 and T2 interviews. RESULTS: Scores significantly declined between T1 and T2 on the full-scale intelligence quotients (FIQ), verbal intelligence quotients (VIQ), performance intelligence quotients (PIQ), similarity and coding tests, as well as the K-PSOC, which measures parental anxiety. FIQ scores at T1 were correlated with the self-reported PedsQL total scores (r=0.739) and the parent proxy-report PedsQL scores for school functioning (r=0.706) at T2. Also, the FIQ scores at T2 were correlated with the self-reported PedsQL total scores (r=0.748) and scores for physical health (r=0.728) at T2. CONCLUSION: The cognitive ability and intelligence level of the patients significantly declined between on and off treatment periods, and higher intelligence functioning at both on and off treatment was correlated with long-term higher HRQOL. Further investigations that monitor intelligence, HRQOL and parenting stress over a longer period, using a greater number of participants, are needed.

Normal Reference Range for Cervical Length in Twin Pregnancy using transvaginal ultrasound / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: We performed prospective longitudinal study to establish reference range for cervical length and evaluate the change in cervix throughout pregnancy in twin pregnancy. METHODS: Fifty-four women of twin pregnancy without history of preterm labor, preterm delivery, cervix cerclage, that delivered at or after 36 weeks were included in this study. Serial measurements of cervical lengths by transvaginal ultrasound exam were performed at 20 weeks of gestation and every 4 weeks (until 28 weeks), every two weeks (until 36 weeks) and every week until delivery. Linear regression analysis was done for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The reference range for cervical length in twin pregnancy was presented as mean, standard deviation and 95% confidence interval of the mean. Cervical length gradually decreased as the gestational age progressed. There was a significant correlation between cervical length measurements and gestational age (Y=71.361-1.336X, r2=0.384, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We presented the reference range for cervical length in twin pregnancy and evaluated the association between gestational age and cervical length. These results can be used as reference guideline in consecutive assessments of cervical lengths during twin pregnancy.

Reference range for fetal orbital parameters: A prospective longitudinal study / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish reference ranges for the fetal orbital diameters (OD) and outer orbital diameters at 16 to 38 weeks' gestation. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 41 consecutive women with uncomplicated singleton gestations during their first trimester of pregnancy. Serial measurements of the fetal orbits by ultrasound examination were performed at intervals of 4 weeks until 28 weeks, and then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly thereafter. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 331 fetal orbital diameters and 298 outer orbital diameters were measured. The reference ranges for orbital diameters and outer orbital diameters were presented as mean, 95% confidence interval of the mean and percentiles. A linear growth function was observed between gestational age (GA), orbital diameter (Y=0.654 x GA - 0.856; r2=0.948; p<0.0001) and outer orbital diameter (Y=1.679 x GA+0.510; r2=0.942; p<0.0001). Significant correlation was also found between orbital diameter and outer orbital diameter (Y=2.451 x OD+4.840; r2=0.906; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: We have presented percentile tables and regression formulas for fetal orbital diameters and outer orbital diameters. These results provide normative data of the growth of the fetal orbit and may be useful in assessing fetal orbital architecture in patients at risk of ocular abnormalities.

Ultrasound assessment of fetal colon development during the third trimester of pregnancy: A prospective longitudinal study / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish a normal range for the outer diameter of the fetal transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 38 consecutive women with uncomplicated singleton gestations during their first trimester of pregnancy. Ultrasound for serial measurements of the fetal transverse colon diameter were performed at intervals of 2 weeks from 28 weeks to 36 weeks and then weekly until delivery. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 201 transverse colon diameters were measured in all 38 fetuses. The normal range for the outer diameter of the transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation was presented as mean, 95% confidence interval of the mean and range. A linear growth function was observed between gestational age (GA) and transverse colon diameter (TCD) (TCD=0.499 x GA - 0.5504, r2=0.65; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: We have presented a table of normal range and a regression formula for outer diameter of the fetal transverse colon from 28 to 40 weeks' gestation. These data may serve as reference values in the detection of abnormalities of the fetal colon.