The natural history and prognostic factors of Graves' disease in Korean children and adolescents / 소아과

PURPOSE: Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. In this study, we investigated the natural course and the prognostic factors of Graves' disease in Korean children and adolescents. METHODS: One-hundred thirteen (88 girls and 25 boys) patients were included in this study. A retrospective analysis was made of all patients who were diagnosed with Graves' disease. The following parameters were recorded and analyzed: patient's sex, age at diagnosis, duration of disease, laboratory findings, symptoms and signs, and family history of autoimmune thyroid disease. RESULTS: All patients were initially treated with antithyroid drugs, either methimazole (93.8%) or propylthiouracil (6.2%). Antithyroid drugs had been discontinued in 75 (66.4%) of 113 patients. Of these 75 patients, 23 (20.4%) relapsed after 25.5+/-33.7 months. Thirteen (11.5%) of 23 patients, who experienced the first relapse, showed a second remission. However, 2 (1.8%) of 13 patients relapsed again. Euthyroid state could not be achieved by antithyroid drugs in 1 patient, and radioactive iodine therapy was performed. The older the patient at diagnosis, the greater the likelihood of remission (P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Age at diagnosis seems to be a prognostic factor in Korean children and adolescents with Graves' disease, and should be taken into account in treatment plan determination.

Smoking-Induced Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia in a 15-year-old Girl: A Case Report

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is a very rare disease that is characterized by acute febrile respiratory failure, diffuse bilateral infiltrates on chest X-ray, and eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the absence of infection. We present the case of a 15-year-old girl diagnosed with smoking-induced acute eosinophilic pneumonia. A previously healthy young girl with a 1-day history of fever presented with cough, dyspnea, and diffuse bilateral infiltrates on chest X-ray. She had started smoking only 3 weeks before presentation. She was diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid tests and lung biopsy and dramatically improved after steroid treatment. We emphasize that acute eosinophilic pneumonia must be considered when acute pneumonia does not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Effective treatment and prompt institution of therapy can obviate unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

Smoking-Induced Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia in a 15-year-old Girl: A Case Report

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia is a very rare disease that is characterized by acute febrile respiratory failure, diffuse bilateral infiltrates on chest X-ray, and eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the absence of infection. We present the case of a 15-year-old girl diagnosed with smoking-induced acute eosinophilic pneumonia. A previously healthy young girl with a 1-day history of fever presented with cough, dyspnea, and diffuse bilateral infiltrates on chest X-ray. She had started smoking only 3 weeks before presentation. She was diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid tests and lung biopsy and dramatically improved after steroid treatment. We emphasize that acute eosinophilic pneumonia must be considered when acute pneumonia does not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Effective treatment and prompt institution of therapy can obviate unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

Current Status of Children on Peritoneal Dialysis in Korea: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study

PURPOSE: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the major form of dialysis in use for infants and children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to gain insight into the current status of children on PD in Korea. METHODS: In May 2008, questionnaires were sent to the pediatric nephrologists via e-mail. Four centers replied and those data were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients were included in this study. Male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Mean age was 11.5+/-4.9 years (0-19 years). Primary renal diseases diagnosed were as follows: primary glomerular disease (34%), chronic pyelonephritis-reflux nephropathy (14.6%), systemic disease (9.7%), renal hypoplasia/dysplasia (8.7%), heredofamilial disease (6.8%), vascular disease (3.9%), drug-induced nephropathy (1.0%), and unknown (12.6%). PD modalities were as follows: CAPD (42.7%), CCPD (27.2%), NIPD (11.7%), and Hybrid (18.4%). Weekly total Kt/V was 2.1+/-0.7 (0.3- 4.1). Results of peritoneal equilibrium test were as follows: low 36.8%, low average 31.6%, high average 19.7%, and high 11.8%. Z-score for weight was -1.00+/-1.20 (-4.54~+2.50). Z-score for height was -1.55+/-1.65 (-9.42~+1.87). Growth hormone was administered in 24.3% of patients. Anti-hypertensive drugs were administered in 64.0% of patients. Laboratory findings were as follows: hemoglobin 10.5+/-1.4 g/dL, calcium 9.7+/-0.7 mg/dL, phosphorus 5.4+/-1.4 mg/dL, and parathyroid hormone 324.2+/-342.8 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: Primary glomerular disease was the most common cause of ESRD. CAPD was the most prevalent PD modality. Low and low average peritoneal transport type were common. Growth disturbance were noted in many patients. Some patients had hypertension even with anti- hypertensive drugs. Calcium-phosphorus levels were maintained adequately, but many patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism.