Risk Factors for Cystic Periventricular Leukomalacia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: In the present study, we aimed to determine the risk factors for the development of cystic periventricular leukomalacia (CPVL) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 309 infants weighing less than 1,500 g who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Hanyang University Medical Center, Seoul from April 2007 to December 2012. Thirty-nine infants died within 28 days of birth. Of the remaining 270 infants, 21 with CPVL established by cranial ultrasonography, and 63 without CPVL, who were matched for gestational age, were enrolled in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses of maternal, perinatal, and neonatal risk factors for CPVL were performed through retrospective assessment of data collected from the medical records. RESULTS: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC > or =stage II: 42.9% vs. 9.5%, P=0.002), culture-proven sepsis (66.7% vs. 34.9%, P=0.021), hypotension with sepsis (33.3% vs. 6.3%, P=0.004), and severe intraventricular hemorrhage (> or =grade III: 61.9% vs. 22.2%, P=0.002) were associated with the development of CPVL on univariate analysis. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, two variables were found to be statistically significant independent risk factors: NEC (> or =stage II: adjusted OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 1.219-21.514; P=0.026) and hypotension with sepsis (adjusted OR, 8.23; 95% CI, 1.194-56.713; P=0.032). CONCLUSION: NEC (> or =stage II) and hypotension with sepsis were associated with an increased risk of developing CPVL in VLBW infants.

Clinical Characteristics of Symptomatic Clostridium difficile Infection in Children: Conditions as Infection Risks and Whether Probiotics Is Effective / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study investigated the clinical presentations of symptomatic Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 43 children aged 3 days, and the most frequently prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin-clavulanate (35.7%). Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with CDI despite taking probiotic supplements, most commonly Lactobacillus acidophilus (53.6%). The most common symptom was diarrhea (72.1%) at the time CDI was diagnosed. C. difficile was eradicated in 11 patients (25.6%) after treatment with oral metronidazole for 10-14 days, and in the two patients (4.6%) who required two courses of oral metronidazole. Sixteen patients (37.2%) showed clinical improvement without any treatment. CONCLUSION: This study showed the various clinical characteristics of CDI in children and that preexisting clinical conditions favored the development of CDI. In addition, CDI was found to occur in a number of patients even after probiotic prophylaxis given in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.

Blood Urea Nitrogen Concentration and Aggressive Parenteral Amino Acid Administration in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants during the First Week / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: Early administration of parenteral amino acids has been shown to limit catabolism and improve growth in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between an earlier aggressive administration of amino acids and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all ELBWI who were born and admitted to Hanyang University Hospital from March 2007 to December 2009. The high initial dose group received > or =3.0 g/kg/d amino acids, while the lower initial dose group did not received a minimum of > or =3.0 g/kg/d parenteral AA at < or =3 days of age. RESULTS: There were no differences in gestational age, birth weight and sex between the groups. Mean fluid intake and total calories during the first 48 hours of life were similar between two groups. There is no correlation between amino acid intake and BUN level in ELBWI during study period. However, gestational age showed a significant negative correlation with BUN level in ELBWI on day 3 and 7. CONCLUSION: An earlier, more aggressive administration of amino acids was safe and well-tolerated. There is no correlation between amino acid intake and BUN level in ELBWI infants within 7 days of life.

A Case of Primary Carcinoma of Fallopian Tube / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

Primary carcinoma of fallopian tube is very rare tumor, that has an incidence less than 1% in all female genital malignanciea. Yhe symptoms are not distinctive, and in moat cases, they are so slight that the disease is well advanced when the diagnosis is made. The postmenopausal bleeding is the most common presenting eomplaint. The diagnosis of carcinoma of the fallopian tube is not made preoperatively in most cases. A 57 years woman presented with complainta of postmenopausal bleeding for 1 month. This paper reports a case of primary fallopian tube carcinoma and presents literature review.