A case of idiopathic isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy in a Korean child / 소아과

Hypoglossal nerve palsy (HNP) is an uncommon neurological abnormality that can provoke characteristic clinical signs, including unilateral atrophy of the tongue musculature. We present the case of a healthy 11-year-old Korean male who was admitted to the outpatient department of our institution with acute onset dysarthria, tongue fasciculations, and right-sided tongue weakness upon awakening. His evaluation included a virology work-up, neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain MRI, and otorhinolaryngological physical examination; all tests were normal and showed no evidence of inflammation. Fifteen days after the onset of symptoms, the patient recovered completely. Herein, we report a case of idiopathic isolated HNP in a Korean male.

Effect of Synagis(R) (palivizumab) prophylaxis on readmission due to respiratory syncytial virus in very low birth weight infants / 소아과

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Synagis(R) (palivizumab) in reducing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) readmission rate in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI ) and the subgroup that showed the most effective vaccination. METHODS: We enrolled 350 VLBWI who had been discharged alive from the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2005 to December 2007 and were followed up for at least one year. A retrospective study based on medical records was performed for a period of one year after discharge. RSV readmission rate was investigated according to BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring oxygen at postnatal day 28) and Synagis(R) prophylaxis. We categorized the subgroups by the severity of BPD gestational age, and birth weight and compared the RSV readmission rates between subgroups. RESULTS: Eleven VLBWI were readmitted. Synagis(R) prophylaxis resulted in a 86% reduction in the rate of readmission due to RSV infection (prophylaxis group, 0.7% and no prophylaxis group, 5.0%; P=0.02). Readmission rate in BPD patients was also reduced in the prophylaxis group (0.7% in the prophylaxis group vs. 5.2% in the no prophylaxis group, P=0.03). The readmission rate in patients without BPD was reduced in the prophylaxis group (0% in the prophylaxis group vs. 4.9% in the no prophylaxis group, P=1.00), but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Synagis(R) prophylaxis was effective at reducing RSV readmission in VLBWI. Its efficacy was verified irrespective of BPD, gestational age, or birth weight.

Rotavirus-associated neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study aimed to test whether rotavirus-associated necrotizing enterocolitis (RV+NEC) produced diffe rent clinical findings or outcomes from those of non-rotavirus necrotizing enterocolitis (RV-NEC). METHODS: Eight patients from the RV+NEC group and 22 patients from the RV-NEC group diagnosed with modified Bell stage II or higher NEC were selected for this study. Fecal specimens from all infants were tested for rotavirus infection using a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Clinical, radiographic, and clinical outcome data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: RV+NEC infants had a significantly higher birth weight and were born at a significantly higher gestational age (33.5+/-3.3 weeks vs. 29.3+/-4.4 weeks; P=0.01). There were no differe nces in the occurrence of thrombocytopenia, mural gas, and pneumoperitoneum between the 2 groups. However, portal vein gas was more common in the RV+NEC group (88% vs. 9%; P<0.01). Neither the incidence of Bell stage III (or higher) NEC nor surgical inte rvention differed between the two groups. The number of complications and mortality rates were also similar. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus-associated NEC occurs in infants with a higher birth weight and those born at a greater gestational age. However, the severity of the condition and the resulting outcomes did not differ from those for infants affected by non-rotavirus NEC.