The risk factors associated with neonatal scalp abscess include electrode insertion for fetal scalp monitoring, traumatic scalp lacerations, and sepsis or meningitis. We report a case of neonatal scalp abscess with extension to dura mater, although our patient had no known risk factors. A 18-day-old, full-term baby was referred to the our hospital to evaluate a swelling over his left occipital scalp. A full sepsis work-up was performed and all were negative. Cranial sonography revealed echogenic cystic mass with peripheral vascularity consistent with ruptured epidermoid cyst or scalp abscess. The computed tomography (CT) scan of head was performed because of possibility of ruptured epidermoid cyt and revealed 2.0x2.0 cm sized hyperattenuating mass with suspicious intracranial extension. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of head revealed the presence of 1.4x1.1 cm sized peripheral rim enhancing mass at left occipital area consistent with scalp abscess. And also, the lesion was suspicious dural exposure at left temporal area. Clinicians should be aware that scalp abscess may occur without any risk factors and perform diagnostic workup including a complete sepsis evaluation, cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF), and cranial imaging study to screen for intracranial extension.
Abscess* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Dura Mater* ; Electrodes ; Epidermal Cyst ; Head ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Lacerations ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis ; Risk Factors ; Scalp* ; Sepsis

During summer and fall months (from June to November), enteroviral infection is more common than group B streptococcal infection or herpes simplex viral infection in neonates. Enteroviruses are divided into polioviruses, coxsackieviruses A, coxsackieviruses B, and echoviruses. Enteroviruses can cause a wide spectrum of acute illnesses ranging from non-specific febrile illness, upper respiratory tract infection or gastroenteritis, to severe diseases such as myocarditis, and encephalitis. Coxsackieviruses B are important neonatal pathogens, which can cause meningoencephalitis, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and cardiomyopathy. Transplacental transmission of coxsackievirus or perinatal transmission by inhalation or swallowing of cervical secretion or feces during delivery causes more severe diseases than postnatal transmission by horizontal transmission in nursery or neonatal intensive care unit, due to larger load of viruses. Four preterm infants had severe coxsackieviral B infection with thrombocytopenia, meningitis, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and myocarditis within seven days of age during this June. Coxsackieviruses B were detected from their feces, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood. Viruses might be transmitted prenatally through placenta from mother to fetus, which caused severe disease. Coxsackieviruses B infections have to be considered in the neonates with sepsis-like illness during summer and fall months, or enteroviral seasons.
Cardiomyopathies ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Deglutition ; Encephalitis ; Enterovirus ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Feces ; Fetus ; Gastroenteritis ; Herpes Simplex ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Inhalation ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Meningitis ; Meningoencephalitis ; Mothers ; Myocarditis ; Nurseries ; Placenta ; Poliovirus ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Seasons ; Streptococcal Infections ; Thrombocytopenia

Authors experienced a newborn treated with severe anemia transferred to our hospital due to pulselessness and apnea shortly after birth. Laboratory analysis of the blood on admission revealed hemoglobin 3.1 g/dL, reticulocyte 11.0%. Kleihauer-Betke test for fetal hemoglobin from maternal blood was seen Hgb F 7%, then we suggested almost 180 ml fetomaternal hemorrhage. But, anemia was not improved despite repeated packed RBC transfusion. So, we evaluated the other cause of intractable anemia. The results were as follows; the Coombs' test was positive. The antibody identification test using mother's serum revealed anti-Mia antibody. The patient improved with supportive treatment, but got hypoxic brain injury due to massive fetomaternal hemorrhage. At day 29, the infant was doing well and was discharged. We report a case of neonatal isoimmune hemolytic disease due to anti-Mia with massive fetomaternal hemorrhage with a brief review of the related literatures.
Anemia ; Apnea ; Brain Injuries ; Coombs Test ; Female ; Fetal Hemoglobin ; Fetomaternal Transfusion* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Reticulocytes

Lumbocostovertebral syndrome is a rare type of congenital lumbar hernia. Its features include lumbar hernia associated with genitourinary, vertebral, and rib anomalies. About 30 cases have been reported in the English literature, but in Korea, there has not been a case reported. We experienced a neonate with multiple costovertebral anomalies and bilateral lumbar hernia with liver and small intestine herniation diagnosed by physical examination and computed tomography. We report a case of a congenital lumbocostovertebral syndrome in neonate with literature review.
Hernia* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestine, Small ; Korea ; Liver ; Physical Examination ; Ribs

Anomalies of the fetal venous system are rare. Major portion of fetal venous anomalies are malformation of umbilical vein and ductus venosus. Abnormal umbilico-systemic shunt, bypassing the ductus venosus makes direct connection between the high-pressure umbilical system and the low-pressure systemic system. And it makes adverse to the fetal hemodynamics. Fetal hemodynamic distress may induce fetal growth retardation, hepatomegaly, cardiomegaly, hydrops fetalis and fetal death. We report a case of non-immune hydrops fetalis which was associated with abnormal umbilical vein pathway. Our patient had bifurcated umbilical veins. Main branch of umbilical vein was drained directly to the left internal iliac vein and another branch was drained to the portal vein. After birth, extrahepatic shunt through main branch of umbilical vein that bypassed the portal system was persisted and thrombocytopenia was combined due to consumption in thrombus of a dilated anomalous umbilical vein. Later this case was diagnosed as Noonan syndrome with a genetic testing.
Cardiomegaly ; Fetal Death ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Fetus ; Genetic Testing ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis* ; Iliac Vein ; Noonan Syndrome* ; Parturition ; Portal System ; Portal Vein ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombosis ; Umbilical Veins ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: We evaluate respiratory morbidities in infants beyond 35 weeks of gestation born via elective cesarean section by gestational age. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 443 infants who were born at Seoul National University Hospital by elective cesarean section beyond 35 weeks of gestation from January 2011 to December 2012. We compared respiratory morbidities in four groups classified by gestational age (35(+0)-36(+6) weeks, 37(+0)-37(+6) weeks, 38(+0)-38(+6) weeks, 39(+0)-40(+6) weeks). RESULTS: There were significantly lower Apgar scores in the late-preterm infant group (35-36 weeks) compared to other term infant groups and the proportion of infants born from mothers with preeclampsia gradually decreased as gestational age increased. There were significant differences in O2 supplement, duration of O2 (>24 hours), checked chest radiography, transient tachypnea of newborn (TTN), transfer to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), endotracheal intubation, and ventilator uses including nasal continuous positive airway pressure in four groups (P<0.05). By logistic regression analysis, compared to births at 38 weeks, births at 35-36 weeks and at 37 weeks were associated with an increased risk of respiratory morbidities [odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for births at 35-36 weeks, 122.5 (17.4-863.4) for TTN; 54.0 (10.1-289.4) for transfer to NICU; 99.5 (14.9-666.2) for ventilator apply; OR and 95% CI for births at 37 weeks, 8.8 (1.6-50.1) for TTN; 5.3 (1.1-24.7) for transfer to NICU; 8.4 (1.5-47.7) for ventilator apply; P<0.05]. There were no significant differences in respiratory morbidities between births at 38 weeks and births at 39-40 weeks. CONCLUSION: Postponing the timing of elective cesarean section to beyond 38 weeks of gestation would be helpful in reducing the neonatal respiratory morbidities.
Cesarean Section* ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Female ; Gestational Age* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Logistic Models ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy* ; Radiography ; Respiration Disorders ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Term Birth ; Thorax ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: To evaluate the causes of nil per os (NPO) before reaching full enteral feeding and compare the clinical outcomes of extremely low birth weight infant (ELBWI) by NPO duration. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 92 ELBWI who were born and admitted to Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 2009 to December 2011. We analyzed the perinatal factors and causes of NPO. To compare neurodevelopmental outcomes and growth, we used K-ASQ (Korean ages & stages questionnaires) and growth Z-score. RESULTS: There were total 163 fasting episodes before reaching full enteral feeding. Mean NPO time was 6.7+/-5.6 days and mean frequency of NPO was 1.8 episodes. Most common cause of NPO was the medication for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure (47.5%) and the next was the feeding intolerance (25.3%). Longer NPO group (more than 7 days) showed longer time to full enteral feeding and hospital day. Incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis was significantly higher in the longer NPO group. But there was no difference between two groups in the incidence of sepsis, cholestasis, and osteopenia. Changes in height Z-score from birth to postmenstrual age 35 weeks were significantly higher in the longer NPO group. In longer NPO group, catch-up of weight Z-score at CA 8 months was poor. And number of patients with score under cutoff level in K-ASQ was higher. CONCLUSION: NPO duration seems to be related with long term growth and neurodevelopment. Effort to minimize fasting time is needed by keeping enteral feeding during PDA medication and active management for feeding intolerance.
Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Cholestasis ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Enteral Nutrition* ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Fasting ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the iron status of fullterm and preterm infants and to investigate effects of gender, IUGR, and maternal diabetes mellitus (DM) on iron status of infants. METHODS: We evaluated newborn infants admitted at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 2011 to April 2013. The five parameters were measured: hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation. RESULTS: Serum ferritin was lower in preterm infants than in fullterm infants (209.5 vs 323.5 ng/mL, P=0.003). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation levels were not influenced by gestational age. Maternal DM was associated with decreased serum ferritin (204.3 vs 347.8 microg/L, P=0.008). There was no difference of ferritin levels between male and female as well as between IUGR infants and non-IUGR infants. CONCLUSION: In this study, low gestational ages and maternal DM are associated with low ferritin level. Careful monitoring of iron status is required for preterm infants and infants of DM mother.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Ferritins ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Iron* ; Male ; Mothers ; Transferrin

PURPOSE: Not only regionalization of neonatal care for high risk newborn, but also safe neonatal transport system of newborn were not completely established in Korea. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age with regard to inborn and outborn status, to understand the problems of regionalization of neonatal care and neonatal transport system and to provide the basis to solve the potential problems. METHODS: This retrospective study included 40 outborn and 40 inborn preterm infants less than 35 week gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Korea University Ansan Hospital during the period between January 2006 and June 2013. RESULTS: Compared with those in the inborn group, the incidences of hypoglycemia and respiratory distress were significantly more frequent in the outborn group at admission. The uses of surfactant, ventilator, and inotrope were significantly more frequent in the outborn during hospitalization. Mortality occurred only in the outborn group. Most of infants were transferred by a nurse alone, not a team with doctor. CONCLUSION: Transferred preterm infants may not be sufficiently stabilized before transport, according to the result of more frequent hypoglycemia and respiratory distress in the outborn group. In order to reduce mortality and morbidity of transferred newborn from level I, the national policy about neonatal intensive care unit level guideline (manpower, equipment, and facility), regionalization of neonatal intensive care, and neonatal transport system are needed in Korea.
Gestational Age ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Korea ; Mortality ; Perinatal Care ; Regional Medical Programs ; Resuscitation ; Retrospective Studies ; Transportation of Patients ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: Though it is a general and common method to temporarily stop breast feeding and use whole milk instead for neonatal breast milk jaundice, it may cause some difficulties in continuing breast feeding after the recovery. We study the effect of continuing breast feeding on the treatment of breast milk jaundice and the success of breast feeding afterwards. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 59 neonates who were admitted to Cheil general hospital from Jan 2008 to Aug 2012 for phototherapy due to breast milk jaundice. Subjects were divided into two groups, one with continuing breast feeding (35 cases) during treatment and the other with stopping breast feeding (24 cases). We examined and compared the changes in the level of serum total bilirubin between two groups, as well as the difficulties the mothers might had in continuing or restarting breast feeding after the discharge. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in times of treatment (until reaching the level of serum total bilirubin <13 mg/dL) between two groups (P=0.066). However, the group with temporary stop of breast feeding had difficulties such as nipple confusion and breast engorgement compared to breast feeding group (P=0.001). In long-term follow up, the breast feeding duration (P=0.017) and the rate of exclusive breast feeding for 6 months (P=0.024) were also significantly higher in breast feeding group. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that continuing breast feeding while treating breast milk jaundice is helpful both for successfully continuing breast feeding and preventing problems after discontinuing breast feeding.
Bilirubin ; Breast Feeding* ; Breast* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice* ; Medical Records ; Methods ; Milk ; Milk, Human* ; Mothers ; Nipples ; Phototherapy ; Retrospective Studies