Neonatal Transport and Regionalization of Neonatal Intensive Care: The Perspective of Transferred Preterm Infants in a Single Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the South-western Area of Gyeonggi-do / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Not only regionalization of neonatal care for high risk newborn, but also safe neonatal transport system of newborn were not completely established in Korea. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age with regard to inborn and outborn status, to understand the problems of regionalization of neonatal care and neonatal transport system and to provide the basis to solve the potential problems. METHODS: This retrospective study included 40 outborn and 40 inborn preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Korea University Ansan Hospital during the period between January 2006 and June 2013. RESULTS: Compared with those in the inborn group, the incidences of hypoglycemia and respiratory distress were significantly more frequent in the outborn group at admission. The uses of surfactant, ventilator, and inotrope were significantly more frequent in the outborn during hospitalization. Mortality occurred only in the outborn group. Most of infants were transferred by a nurse alone, not a team with doctor. CONCLUSION: Transferred preterm infants may not be sufficiently stabilized before transport, according to the result of more frequent hypoglycemia and respiratory distress in the outborn group. In order to reduce mortality and morbidity of transferred newborn from level I, the national policy about neonatal intensive care unit level guideline (manpower, equipment, and facility), regionalization of neonatal intensive care, and neonatal transport system are needed in Korea.

Perforation of azygos vein and right-sided hydrothorax caused by peripherally inserted central catheter in extremely low birth weight infant / 소아과

We report a case in which routine chest roentgenograms of an 840 g infant led to the belief that the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) was appropriately positioned within the superior vena cava when, in actuality, it was within the azygous arch. Although many cases of pleural effusions have been reported to be caused by a central venous catheter, a right-sided hydrothorax caused by azygous vein rupture from the use of a PICC is an extremely rare complication. Sudden changes in the condition of a preterm infant with PICC should raise the suspicion of a catheter- related problem.

Two Cases of Left Ventricular Tumors Complicating Subaortic Stenosis in Newborn Infants

The most cornmon obstruction of left ventricular outflow in childhood is produced either by a fibrous ring below the aortic valve, or by localized or diffuse muscular hypertrophy of the inter-ventricular septum. Cardiac tumors causing subaortic stenosis in the newborn infant are extremely rare. This report describes two cases of subaortic stenosis caused by a tumor of the left ventricle in newborn infants, both diagnosed by 2-dimensional echocardiography. In one patient, the obstructive portion of the tumor was successfully resected from its attachment to the ventricular septum by aortotomy on day 5. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of rhabdomyoma. This patient developed cutaneous, neurologic and radiologic abnormalities of tuberous sclerosis during the follow-up of 42 months.

Bronchiolitis Obliterans and Generalized Vitiligo as Rare Presentations of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

Chronic graft-versus-host disease(GVHD), found in 30~50% of long-term survivors after an HLA-identical sibling transplant, in a multi-organ syndrome resembling collagen vascular diseases. Although the skin is the most commonly involved organ, generalized vitiligo with poliosis has rarely been reported as a manifestation. Patient 1 underwent an allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplant when late graft failure developed after initial bone marrow transplant(BMT) for aplastic anemia. She suffered from Grade III GVHD involving gut and skin, and developed cough, wheeze and dyspnea along with decreased pulmonary function. The diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans in association with chronic GVHD was made, and treatment with steroid and hydroxychloroquine(HCQ) resulted in some improvement. Patient 2 showed de novo chronic GVHD after allogeneic BMT for aplastic anemia. The vitiligo with premature grayness of hair and eyelash was the manifestation of chronic GVHD. Steroid and HCQ treatment stabilized the skin manifestations. HCQ treatment, though a larger study is needed, seemed to be safe adjuvant in the management of chronic GVHD in children.