The results of cardiopulmonary exercise test in healthy Korean children and adolescents: single center study / 소아과

PURPOSE: The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is an important clinical tool for evaluating exercise capacity and is frequently used to evaluate chronic conditions including congenital heart disease. However, data on the normal CPET values for Korean children and adolescents are lacking. The aim of this study was to provide reference data for CPET variables in children and adolescents. METHODS: From August 2006 to April 2009, 76 healthy children and adolescents underwent the CPET performed using the modified Bruce protocol. Here, we performed a medical record review to obtain data regarding patient' demographics, medical history, and clinical status. RESULTS: The peak oxygen uptake (VO2Peak) and metabolic equivalent (METMax) were higher in boys than girls. The respiratory minute volume (VE)/CO2 production (VCO2) slope did not significantly differ between boys and girls. The cardiopulmonary exercise test data did not significantly differ between the boys and girls in younger age group (age, 10 to 14 years). However, in older age group (age, 15 to 19 years), the boys had higher VO2Peak and METMax values and lower VE/VCO2 values than the girls. CONCLUSION: This study provides reference data for CPET variables in case of children and adolescents and will make it easier to use the CPET for clinical decision-making.

Growth and Hormones Changes during the First Two Years in Very Low Birth Weight Infants / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate postnatal growth and examine the longitudinal change of leptin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), adiponectin, and ghrelin in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: Weight, height, and head circumference (HC) were prospectively measured at birth, full term, and at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 months of corrected age (CA) in 91 VLBW infants (41 females and 50 males). They were evaluated as either being small for gestational age (SGA) or appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Blood samples were serially taken for IGF-I, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin. RESULTS: 1) Weight, height, and HC Z scores decreased from birth to 2 months of CA at a deeper rate for AGA and birth weight < 1,000 g than for SGA and < 1,000 g birth weight < 1,500 g infants. 2) Weight, height, and HC Z scores increased from 2 months to 24 months of CA for the whole population. 3) 25.0% in the SGA and 5.4% in the AGA group did not show weight catch up growth (< -2 SDS) at 1 year of age (P < 0.05). 4) At 12 months of CA, 16.7% in the SGA and 13% in the AGA group did not show height catch up growth. 5) Leptin, ghrelin, IGF-I concentrations increased during the first 2 years of life in VLBW. 6) 1 year weight Z score is related to term weight Z score (beta = 0.775, P = 0.001). One year height Z score is related to term weight Z score. (beta = 0.632, P = 0.000) CONCLUSION: Rapid catch up growth occurred mainly during the first year of life, irrespective of SGA or AGA. Leptin, ghrelin, and IGF-I concentration increased during the first 2 years of life in VLBW. Rapid catch up growth is thus required to give rapid and enough nutrition after birth in VLBW.