PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obese and underweight adolescents in Incheon area and to examine the relationship between serum cholesterol level and obesity, then to assess the nutritional condition of adolescents. METHODS: With a questionnaire regarding their demographic characteristics, blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy students aged 12 to 24 years by venipuncture at April and May, 2000. We measured the obesity index using standard body weight and the body mass index(BMI) according to the criteria established by the Korean Pediatric Society in 1998. Obesity was defined as BMI more than 95 percentile, and underweight less than 15 percentile by age and sex. RESULTS: A total of 1,456 students(M:F=685:771) aged 12 to 24 years were included in this study. The prevalence of obesity by standard body weight in adolescents in Incheon were 11.7%:mild obesity 6.5%, moderate 4.6%, and severe 0.5%. By BMI, the prevalence of obesity was 6.4% in males and 6.2% in females. In males, the prevalence of obesity in rural areas was 8.5%, lower than in urban areas(14.3%). The prevalence of underweight by obesity index was 34.1% in rural areas and 22.9% in urban areas. In females, the prevalence of obesity was 12.5% in rural areas and 19.6% in urban areas. There were no significant differences between the two regions(P=0.529). The prevalence of obesity increased with age till 16.3% of peak prevalence in 16 years of age, and then decreased. In males, the prevalence of obesity in academic and vocational school were 13.7% and 9.7%, respectively(P=0.116). In females of the academic and vocational school, the prevalence of obesity was 6.8% and 18.0%, respectively(P=0.001). In obese adolescents, serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 6.2%. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the prevalence of obesity in adolescents was about 12% and that the prevalence of underweight adolescents was considerably high. We think nutritional assessment and intervention are warranted for adolescent students.
Adolescent* ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Incheon* ; Male ; Nutrition Assessment ; Obesity* ; Phlebotomy ; Prevalence* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thinness*

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been increasingly utilized for reconstituting hematopoiesis in a variety of congenital disorders and hematologic malignancies. In this report, we evaluated the maximum collection volume, the efficacy of red cell depletion, cell viability and phenotypic analysis before and after cryopreservation. METHODS: Forty units of UCB (17 from NSVD and 23 from cesarean section) were collected into blood donation bag with ACD-A. Red cells were depleted using 3% gelatin sedimentation or buffy coat separation. UCB units were cultured in methylcellulose media, and phenotypic analyses were performed with monoclonal antibodies for CD34, HLA-DR, CD38, CD13, CD33, c-kit, CD45/CD3, CD45/CD19, CD3/CD4, CD3/CD8. RESULTS: The mean volume of one unit of UCB was 109.2 +/- 32.5 mL and one unit contained 1.20 +/- 0.51x19(9) nucleated cells. Cell counts after red cell depletion by 3% gelatin sedimentation or buffy coat separation revealed recovery rates of 77.5 +/- 14.9% and 64.5 +/- 7.4%, respectively. Cell viabilities and the number of colony forming units - granulocyte and monocyte from fresh and cryopreserved UCB were were 98.1 +/- 1.6%, 88.7 +/- 4.8%, and 6.48 +/- 2.14x10(5), 7.35 +/- 0.65x10(5). The mean percentage of CD34+ cells was 1.02 +/- 1.6% and those of CD34+/HLA-DR+, CD34+/CD38+, CD34+/CD13+, CD34+/CD33+, CD34+/c-kit+ cells were 68.6%, 58.0%, 5.6%, 46.8%, and 29.8%, respectively. Lymphocyte subsets were composed of CD45+/CD3+ (59.0%), CD45+/CD19+ (13.8%), CD3+/CD4+ (42.7%), and CD3+/CD8+ cells (17.1%). There was no significant difference in phenotypic characteristics between fresh and cryopreserved UCB. CONCLUSION: We established the protocols for UCB collection, red cell depletion, cryopreservation, culture and phenotypic analyses. These results would be very useful for future UCB transplantation and preservation/storage.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Blood Donors ; Cell Count ; Cell Survival ; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities ; Cryopreservation* ; Fetal Blood* ; Gelatin ; Granulocytes ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Hematopoiesis ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Methylcellulose ; Monocytes ; Stem Cells ; Umbilical Cord*

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) frequently occurs in adolescents because of accelerated physical growth in boys and girls. This was aimed at assessing the prevalence of iron deficiency and IDA in apparently healthy Korean adolescents according to the gender and age. METHODS: Apparently healthy students(M: F=1: 1.2) aged 11 to 24 years were included in this study and blood samples were obtained from April to May, 2000. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell indices, serum ferritin, iron and total iron-binding capacity were measured. RESULTS: In males, the prevalence of iron deficiency was 15.7% in the 11~12 years group, 16.1% in the 13~14 years group, 9.9% in the 15~16 years group, and 6.4% in the 17~18 years group. In females, the prevalence of iron deficiency was 26.8% in 11~12 years group, 27.9% in the 13~14 years group, 38.8% in the 15~16 years group, 36.0% in the 17~18 years group, 30.9% in the 19~24 years group. The prevalence of IDA in males was 3.6% in 11~12 years, 2.1% in 13~14 years group, 1.9% in 15~16 years group, and 0.6% in 17~18 years group. The prevalence of IDA in females was 4.2% in 11~12 years, 9.7% 13~14 years, 20.4% in 15~16 years, 16.2% in 17~18 years group, and 12.4% in 19~24 years group. CONCLUSION: As the prevalence of iron deficiency and IDA were substantially greater than expected, studies of iron state in adolescent girls, especially middle to high school age, should be undertaken to assess iron deficiency.
Adolescent* ; Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Ferritins ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Incheon* ; Iron* ; Male ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia frequently occurs in adolescence because of accelerated physical growth in both boys and girls, and because of menstrual iron loss and dieting to avoid obesity in female teenagers. As little is known about iron deficiency in adolescents in Korea, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in apparently healthy Korean adolescents in relation to gender, physical development, and dietary habit. METHODS: With a questionnaire regarding their demographic characteristics, blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy students aged 10~18 years by venipuncture at Sept. and Oct. 1996. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, RBC indices, serum ferritin levels, iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were measured. RESULTS: A total of 1,164 students (M:F = 610:554) aged 10~18 years were included in this study. In boys, the mean Hb concentration increased with age from 13.3g/dL in the 10~12 years group to 15.3g/dL in the 17~18 years group. In girls, the mean Hb concentration was 13.2g/dL in the 10~12 years group, and 12.7g/dL in the 15~16 years group. In boys, iron deficiency prevalence was 5.6% in the 10~12 years group, 10.6% in the 13~16 years. In girls, the prevalence of anemia increased with age: 0.8% in the 10~12 years group; 5.5% in the 13~14 years group; 16.9% in the 15~16 years group; 19.7% in the 17~18 years group. Iron deficiency prevalence in girls was 9.2% in the 10~12 years group, 14.1%in the 13~14 years group, 22.6% in the 15~16 years group, and 30.7% in the 17~18 years group. The prevalence of IDA in girls was 0.8% in the 10~12 years group, 4.3% in the 13~14 years group, 7.3% in the 15~16 years group, and 13.1% in the 17~18 years group. On questionnaire, 19.5% of males and 40.0% of females usually missed one meal a day. The proportion of missed meals in girls increased with age. The proportions of Hb<12g/dL and ferritin<10ng/dL were significantly high in boys aged 10~14 years with vegetarian parents. The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency in the students with menstruation was 14.9% and 21.6%, which was higher than the prevalence of 3.3% and 13.2% in those who did not have the menarche (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: As the prevalence of iron deficiency and IDA were substantially greater than expected, studies of iron state in adolescent girls, especially middle to high school age, should be undertaken to assess iron deficiency. In addition, nutritional education for adolescents is warranted.
Adolescent* ; Anemia ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Diet ; Education ; Female ; Ferritins ; Food Habits ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Iron* ; Korea ; Male ; Meals ; Menarche ; Menstruation ; Obesity ; Parents ; Phlebotomy ; Prevalence* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; Parotid Gland ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Ducts ; Salivary Glands ; Salivary Glands, Minor

We performed a nationwide epidemiological study to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of nocturnal enuresis (NE) in Korean adolescents and adults. A questionnaire was sent via e-mail to 51,073 people aged 16-40 yr by stratified sampling according to age, sex, and region among a 200,000 internet survey panel pool. The questionnaire included following information; presence or absence of NE, frequency of NE, possible risk factors for NE, self-esteem scale score and depression score results, and measures for the treatment of NE. Among the 2,117 responders, 54 (2.6%) had NE (> or =1 enuretic episode within 6 months). Of 54 bedwetters, 9.3% wet > or =1 night per week and 20.5% wet > or =1 per month. The prevalence rates remained relatively stable with no apparent trend of reduction with age. The presence of sleep disturbance, family history, urgency, or urge incontinence increased the probability of NE episode significantly. The self-esteem score was lower (P=0.053) and the depression scale score was higher (P=0.003) in bedwetters compared with non-bedwetters. Overall 2.6% of Korean aged 16-40 yr have NE. The higher rate of urgency and urge incontinence in adolescent and adult enuretics suggests that bladder function has an important role in adolescent and adult NE.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nocturnal Enuresis/*epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Disorders ; Urinary Incontinence/epidemiology ; Young Adult

We made a mistake in our recently published article.

PURPOSES: To investigate the viral etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in Korean adults, we have detected respiratory viruses (Respiatory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza virus and parainfluenza virus) in the way of prospective, multi-center study. METHODS: From July 1997 to April 2000, nasal aspirates or sputum were obtained from adults patients with community pneumonia admitted to the participating hospitals and transferred immediately to the central laboratory in the Seoul National University Children's Hospital. The specimens were divided into three parts. One part was used for indirect immunofluorescent test for respiratory viruses, the other part for the culture of RSV and adenovirus in HEp-2 cell monolayer. Another part was used for the culture of influenza virus and parainfluenza virus in MDCK or LLC- MK2 cell monolayers. RESULTS: Of 317 samples, 32 (10.1%) specimens were positive for viral isolation by indirect IF staining or culture, including one dual-infected specimen (adenovirus and parainfluenza virus). Influenza virus was most commonly detected (16 specimens). Parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and RSV were detected in 10, 4 and 3 patients, respectively. All isolated influenza viruses were type A (H3N2 in 9 patients, H1N1 in 2 and unspecified in 5), and 8 out of 10 parainfluenza virus isolates were type 3. CONCLUSION: Similar to previous foreign reports, a significant portion of community-acquired pneumonia in Korean adult is caused by respiratory viruses. Our data empathized the need of referral system for viral diagnosis and of nationwide investigation on respiratory virus infections.
Adenoviridae ; Adult* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Pneumonia* ; Prospective Studies ; Referral and Consultation ; Seoul ; Sputum

PURPOSE: We wanted to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of overactive bladder(OAB) in Korean children who were 5-13 years of age, according to the definition of OAB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomly selected cross-sectional study was conducted on 26 kindergartens and 27 elementary schools nationwide in Korea. There were 19,240 children; a parent was asked to complete the questionnaires, which included items about OAB and the children's voiding and defecating habits. OAB was defined as urgency with or without urge incontinence, and usually with an increased daytime frequency and nocturia(ICCS 2006, group A) or an increased daytime frequency(>8 times/day) and/or urge urinary incontinence with or without urgency (group B); its prevalence and associated factors were investigated. RESULTS: The response rate for the questionnaires was 85.84%. The overall prevalence of OAB was 16.59%(group A) and 18.79%(group B). For groups A and B, the prevalence of OAB decreased with age from 22.89% to 12.16% and from 40.44% to 9.60%, respectively(p=0.0001). The overall rate of wet and dry OAB was 26.97% and 73.03%, respectively. Compared to the normal group, the children with OAB had a higher prevalence of nocturnal enuresis(NE), constipation, fecal incontinence, a history of urinary tract infection and delayed bladder control in both groups A and B(p<0.05). The rate of increased daytime frequency and urge incontinence were 3.69% and 2.31%(p=0.009), and 26.97% and 14.78%(p=0.0001) in group A and for the non-OAB children, respectively; their prevalence in group A decreased with age from 5.04% to 3.06% and from 45.74% to 18.50%, respectively(p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of OAB in group A for Korean children 5-13 years of age was similar to that in group B. However, the range of prevalence in group B was much more variable than that in group A. NE, constipation, fecal incontinence, a history of urinary tract infection and delayed bladder control may be risk factors for OAB in children.
Child ; Constipation ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fecal Incontinence ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge ; Urinary Tract Infections

We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of various anticholinergics in Korean children with non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB). A total of 326 children (males:females= 157:169) aged under 18 yr (mean age 7.3+/-2.6 yr) who were diagnosed with OAB from 2008 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean duration of OAB symptoms before anticholinergic treatment was 16.9+/-19.0 months. The mean duration of medication was 5.6+/-7.3 months. Urgency urinary incontinence episodes per week decreased from 1.9+/-3.1 to 0.4+/-1.5 times (P<0.001). The median voiding frequency during daytime was decreased from 9.2+/-5.4 to 6.3+/-4.2 times (P<0.001). According to 3-day voiding diaries, the maximum and average bladder capacity were increased from 145.5+/-66.9 to 196.8+/-80.3 mL and from 80.8+/-39.6 to 121.8+/-56.5 mL, respectively (P<0.001). On uroflowmetry, maximum flow rate was increased from 17.6+/-8.4 to 20.5+/-8.2 mL/sec (P<0.001). Adverse effects were reported in 14 (4.3%) children and six children (1.8%) discontinued medication due to adverse effects. Our results indicate that anticholinergics are effective to improve OAB symptoms and tolerability was acceptable without severe complications in children.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cholinergic Antagonists/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Constipation/etiology ; Dizziness/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/*drug therapy