Factors associated with mumps meningitis and the possible impact of vaccination / 소아과

PURPOSE: Mumps meningitis is a common complication of mumps infection; however, information on mumps meningitis in the postvaccine era is limited. The purpose of the present study was to determine factors associated with mumps meningitis and to discuss the effect of vaccination on this disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients younger than 19 years with mumps, diagnosed at a university hospital in Korea between 2003 and 2013. Patients were divided into groups with and without meningitis, and the clinical features of the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS: The study enrolled 119 patients: 19 patients with meningitis and 100 patients without. Univariate analysis showed that older age (median: 15 years vs. 9.5 years, respectively), a longer interval from last vaccination (median: 10.2 years vs. 4.8 years, respectively), and febrile presentation (94.7% vs. 31.0%, respectively) were significantly associated with mumps meningitis. Sex, number of vaccination doses, bilateral parotitis, and the presence of complications other than meningitis did not differ between the 2 groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.89; P=0.04) and fever (odds ratio, 30.46; 95% confidence interval, 3.27-283.61; P<0.01) remained independent factors for mumps meningitis. CONCLUSION: Clinicians in the postvaccine era should be aware of the possibility of mumps meningitis in febrile cases of mumps in adolescents, regardless of the number of vaccination doses. To establish the role of vaccination in mumps meningitis, further studies will be necessary.

Association between Gastric pH and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: To assess gastric pH and its relationship with urease-test positivity and histological findings in children with Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: Fasting gastric juices and endoscopic antral biopsy specimens were collected from 562 children and subjected to the urease test and histopathological examination. The subjects were divided into 3 age groups: 0-4, 5-9, and 10-15 years. The histopathological grade was assessed using the Updated Sydney System, while the gastric juice pH was determined using a pH meter. RESULTS: The median gastric juice pH did not differ significantly among the age groups (p=0.655). The proportion of individuals with gastric pH >4.0 was 1.3% in the 0-4 years group, 6.1% in the 5-9 years group, and 8.2% in 10-15 years (p=0.101). The proportions of moderate and severe chronic gastritis, active gastritis, and H. pylori infiltration increased with age (p<0.005). Urease-test positivity was higher in children with hypochlorhydria (77.8%) than in those with normal gastric pH (31.7%) (p<0.001). Chronic and active gastritis were more severe in the former than the latter (p<0.001), but the degree of H. pylori infiltration did not differ (20.9% vs. 38.9%; p=0.186). CONCLUSION: Gastric pH while fasting is normal in most children regardless of age. Urease-test positivity may be related to hypochlorhydria in children, and hypochlorhydria is in turn related to H. pylori infection.

Lupus Anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia Syndrome that did not Progress to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report / 임상소아혈액종양

Lupus anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LA-HPS) is a rare disorder, and appears mostly in children. The primary concern is its potential development into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 5-year-old patient was hospitalized with multiple purpuric lesions. A markedly prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were observed and were not corrected after mixing with normal plasma. Decreased factor II activity was consistent with LA-HPS. Identifying risk factors that play an important role in the development of SLE in patients with LA-HPS is of importance. Based on the case described here, anti-double stranded (ds) DNA antibody and the Sapporo criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome are related to subsequent SLE development, whereas there is no correlation with the results of the lupus anticoagulant (LA) test. We recommend an early and serial examination of anti-ds DNA antibody and full evaluation of Sapporo criteria for the screening of patients with LA-HPS who may progress to SLE.

Differences in Clinical and Laboratory Findings between Group D and Non-Group D Non-Typhoidal Salmonella Gastroenteritis in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the differences in clinical features and laboratory findings between group D and non-group D non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) gastroenteritis in children. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with NTS confirmed by culture study was performed. The clinical features and laboratory findings of group D and non-group D NTS were compared. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2012, 75 cases were diagnosed as NTS at our center. The number of group D and non-group D patients was 45 and 30, respectively. The mean age was higher in group D than in non-group D patients (5.1 years vs. 3.4 years, p=0.038). Headaches were more frequently observed (p=0.046) and hematochezia was less frequently observed (p=0.017) in group D than in non-group D NTS gastroenteritis patients. A positive Widal test result was observed in 53.3% of group D and 6.7% of non-group D NTS cases (O-titer, p=0.030; H-titer, p=0.039). There were no differences in white blood cell counts, level of C-reactive protein and rate of antimicrobial resistance between group D and non-group D cases. CONCLUSION: The more severe clinical features such as headache, fever, and higher Widal titers were found to be indicative of group D NTS gastroenteritis. Additionally, group D NTS gastroenteritis was more commonly found in older patients. Therefore, old age, fever, headache, and a positive Widal test are more indicative of group D NTS than non-group D NTS gastroenteritis. Pathophysiological mechanisms may differ across serologic groups.

Differences in Clinical and Laboratory Findings between Group D and Non-Group D Non-Typhoidal Salmonella Gastroenteritis in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the differences in clinical features and laboratory findings between group D and non-group D non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) gastroenteritis in children. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with NTS confirmed by culture study was performed. The clinical features and laboratory findings of group D and non-group D NTS were compared. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2012, 75 cases were diagnosed as NTS at our center. The number of group D and non-group D patients was 45 and 30, respectively. The mean age was higher in group D than in non-group D patients (5.1 years vs. 3.4 years, p=0.038). Headaches were more frequently observed (p=0.046) and hematochezia was less frequently observed (p=0.017) in group D than in non-group D NTS gastroenteritis patients. A positive Widal test result was observed in 53.3% of group D and 6.7% of non-group D NTS cases (O-titer, p=0.030; H-titer, p=0.039). There were no differences in white blood cell counts, level of C-reactive protein and rate of antimicrobial resistance between group D and non-group D cases. CONCLUSION: The more severe clinical features such as headache, fever, and higher Widal titers were found to be indicative of group D NTS gastroenteritis. Additionally, group D NTS gastroenteritis was more commonly found in older patients. Therefore, old age, fever, headache, and a positive Widal test are more indicative of group D NTS than non-group D NTS gastroenteritis. Pathophysiological mechanisms may differ across serologic groups.

Lupus Anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia Syndrome that did not Progress to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report / 임상소아혈액종양

Lupus anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LA-HPS) is a rare disorder, and appears mostly in children. The primary concern is its potential development into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 5-year-old patient was hospitalized with multiple purpuric lesions. A markedly prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were observed and were not corrected after mixing with normal plasma. Decreased factor II activity was consistent with LA-HPS. Identifying risk factors that play an important role in the development of SLE in patients with LA-HPS is of importance. Based on the case described here, anti-double stranded (ds) DNA antibody and the Sapporo criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome are related to subsequent SLE development, whereas there is no correlation with the results of the lupus anticoagulant (LA) test. We recommend an early and serial examination of anti-ds DNA antibody and full evaluation of Sapporo criteria for the screening of patients with LA-HPS who may progress to SLE.

A Natural Course of an Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis without Adequate Surgical Procedure / 소아외과

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is one of the common surgical abdomen in infancy, characterized by progressive non-bilious vomiting. The etiology is unknown, but it likely develops after birth. The pylorus of the stomach becomes thick and triggers progressive vomiting. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) is widely used as a diagnostic tool. Currently, there is a rare IHPS patient with severe metabolic derangement because of general use of abdominal US and its accuracy. We experienced a natural course of a 62- day-old male infant with IHPS who was suffering from intermittent vomiting, loss of weight but had not been properly treated for 1 month. It is needed to make an effort to diagnose differentially in recurrent vomiting infant and check-up regularly, and also educate parents properly.