Clinical Manifestations of Ureaplasma urealyticum Colonization in Infants / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization is a significant cause of fetal and neonatal pneumonia and is associated with the prevalence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between U. urealyticum colonization and neonatal morbidity. METHODS: We tested 476 infants for U. urealyticum on the first day of life among infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Bun-dang Seoul National University Hospital from June 2003 to July 2006. Urine and endotracheal aspirates were processed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or culture for U. urealyticum colonization. We compared the morbidity in the colonized group with the non-colonized group. RESULTS: The study group consisted ot 136 infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age and 340 infants more than 32 weeks of gestational age. In infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, 18 (13%) of 136 infants had 1 or more positive specimens by culture or PCR. BPD occurred more in the colonized group than in the non-colonized group (p=0.058) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurred significantly less in the colonized group (p=0.043). Total WBC counts on the third day of life was significantly increased in the colonized group (p=0.003) and this significance was prominent in the neutrophil fraction (p=0.001). There was no significant relation between U. urealyticum colonization and IgM levels nor C-reactive protein (CRP) level nor U. urealyticum colonization of the mother. Twenty-three(7%) of 340 infants more than 32 weeks of gestational age had 1 or more positive specimens by culture or PCR. BPD didn't occur and RDS didn't decrease significantly in the colonized group (p=0.605). Total IgM levels didn't increase significantly in the colonized group (p < 0.006) but total WBC counts and CRP levels didn't increase significantly in the colonized group. There was no significant relation between U. urealyticum colonization and U. urealyticum colonization of the mother (p=0.21). CONCLUSION: U. urealyticum colonization in infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age was associated with an increased prevalence of BPD and a decreased prevalence of RDS.

Clinical Usefulness of the New Definition of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) using the newly proposed definition for BPD and investigate the relationship between the severity of BPD by new definition and clinical severity of illness and radiographic change. METHODS: We selected very low birth weight infants <1,500 g with gestational age <32 weeks born in the Bun-Dang Seoul National University Hospital from June 2003 to May 2005. The datas were categorized in four weight groups, <751, 751 to 1,000, 1,001 to 1,250 and 1,251 to 1,500 g and the incidence of BPD was computed in survivors based on the oxygen need at postnatal 28 days and 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Further, BPD-associated comorbidities and radiographic changes at 36 weeks PMA were compared among the groups defined by the new severity of BPD criteria. RESULTS: Among VLBW <1,500 g, the incidence of BPD at 28 days and 36 weeks PMA were 67 and 39%, respectively. Using the newly defined criteria, the incidence of mild, moderate and severe BPD were 29, 33 and 6%, respectively. Associated comorbidities correlated significantly with severity of BPD. Significantly longer hospital stay, longer duration of mechanical ventilation, higher score of radiography at 36 weeks PMA was observed with increasing severity of BPD. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of BPD by new definition significantly related to clinical severity and radiographic changes. Whether it will have a role in predicting long-term pulmonologic and neurologic outcome remains to be determined.