PURPOSE: In the Spring 1995, there was an outbreak of adenoviral infection, which caused four death out of ten patients with adenoviral pneumonia in our hospital. Clinical courses of ten patients with severe pneumonia were similar each other, and two were confirmed as adenoviral pneumonia by postmortem autopsy. Although not proven, we believe eight patients had adenoviral pneumonia. Therefore, we report clinical features in ten cases of severe adenoviral pneumonia. METHODS: Two cases with adenoviral pneumonia and eight cases with presumed adenoviral pneumonia were admitted in this hospital from March to June, 1995. Age and sex distribution, clinical manifestations, laboratory data, chest X-ray findings were reviewed. RESULTS: They were young children between 4 to 25 months of age(mean 12.7+/-6.1 months), and male to female ratio was 9:1. They presented with abrupt fever, cough, tachypnea, and dyspnea. Mean duration of fever were 12.7+/-6.1 days. Crackles on auscultation were heard in all patients. Studies for Mycoplasma and Tuberculosis were all negative. Cultures of bacteria and fungi were negative, and they did not respond to the antibiotics. The chest X-ray revealed the diffuse lobar consolidation with varying amount of pleural effusions. The findings of pleural fluid showed characteristics of transudate with predominant monocyte. Eight of our severe adenoviral pneumonia patients were enjoying normal health previously. Only two patients had previous medical problems, one with chronic cytomegalovirus pneumonia and the other with neutropenia induced by phenobarbital. The course of illness suggests that the infection was hospital acquired and the final outcome was fatal. Three of them developed seizure with fever, five change of consciousness, four conjunctivitis, three otitis media, and two gastro-intestinal symptoms. Autopsy was done in two of four patients. Grossly, the lungs were heavy and dark- red in color. There were bilateral pneumonic consolidation with patchy areas of hemorrhage. Microscopically, severe necrotizing bronchitis and bronchiolitis with numerous intranuclear inclusion of Cowdry type A and B were found. Alveoli were edematous and filled with fibrinous exudate, and covered with hyaline membrane. Ultrastructurally, typical adenoviral particles showing hexagonal shape in paracrystalline array symmetry were found in the nucleus of aleveolar lining cells. CONCLUSIONS: Yet, occasionally, adenoviral infection becomes most aggressive form of pneumonia. We should consider adenoviral pneumonia when clinical findings of pneumonia are very similar with baterial pneumonia except poor response to broad spectrum antibiotics. There is no specific treatment for adenoviral infection. So, for prevention of adenoviral pneumonia, we recommend isolation in suspicious adenoviral infection.
Adenoviridae ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Auscultation ; Autopsy ; Bacteria ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchitis ; Child ; Conjunctivitis ; Consciousness ; Cough ; Cytomegalovirus ; Dyspnea ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Fever ; Fibrin ; Fungi ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies ; Lung ; Male ; Membranes ; Monocytes ; Mycoplasma ; Neutropenia ; Otitis Media ; Phenobarbital ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia* ; Respiratory Sounds ; Seizures ; Sex Distribution ; Tachypnea ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Accurate recognition of stroke victims by ambulance paramedics is necessary to ensure the rapid transfer of these patients to the hospital. We carried out a prospective study to characterize the cause of prehospital delays after stroke by the emergency medical service (EMS) and to determine the accuracy of identifying acute stroke by paramedics. METHODS: All paramedics in the Busan Metropolitan 119 EMS were asked to record the clinical presentations and time intervals from symptom onset to various points along the patients' prehospital course on the ambulance admission sheets for suspected stroke patients during a month (February 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010). Neurologists in twenty four hospitals reviewed the hospital records for the patients who were given a diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack by the paramedics. RESULTS: Of the EMS on-scene evaluations, the diagnosis of stroke by ambulance paramedics was correct for 79 of the 186 (43%) patients. Positive predictive values for main suspected stroke symptoms were 95% in hemiparesis, 88% in speech disturbance and 44% in impaired consciousness. The prehospital personnel transferred the suspected stroke patients to each hospital at a mean of 25 minutes after the emergency 119 call. However, only 62% of the stroke patients called EMS within the first 2 hours of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Public education for the need to seek EMS promptly after stroke as a medical emergency, and strokespecific training for EMS personnel are essential so that stroke patients receive effective acute treatment.
Allied Health Personnel ; Ambulances ; Consciousness ; Dietary Sucrose ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Paresis ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: Early failure of vascular access for hemodialysis is not uncommon. It has been known that DM, hypertension, age, sex and some abnormal laboratory findings at the surgery are the risk factors. We designed this study to analyze the risk factors for the early access failure of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). METHODS: Among 111 patients who underwent vascular access surgery and hemodialysis at KHMC from 2000 to 2004, 106 patients with AVF were enrolled. The rate of early access failure of AVF was evaluated. Histories of DM, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and ipsilateral central venous catheterization, medication and laboratory findings were investigated through the medical records, retrospectively and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of early access failure of AVF was 21.3%, higher than that of AV grafts. The number of patients older than 50 years of age was greater in early access failure group. Early access failure group showed higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. Early access failure group showed higher incidence of ipsilateral central venous catheterization. Early access failure group also showed higher level of hemoglobin and hematocrit. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher hemoglobin and history of ipsilateral central venous catheterization are independent risk factors for early access failure of AVF. CONCLUSION: Older age at the time of surgery, history of ipsilateral central venous catheterization or cardiovascular disease and higher level of hemoglobin were associated with early access failure of AVF. History of ipsilateral central venous catheterization and higher level of hemoglobin are independent risk factors.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Central Venous Catheters ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Renal Dialysis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Transplants

Globally, there have been a small number of donor cell leukemia cases reported but, to our knowledge, none have been reported in Korea until now. Donor cell leukemia is a rare though well-recognized complication that occurs after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Herein, we report the case of an 18-year-old woman who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia originating from donor cells after allo-HSCT.
Adolescent ; Anemia, Aplastic* ; Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukemia* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Tissue Donors*

BACKGROUND: Although idiopathic cardiomyopathies(i-CMP) are very important in all age groups, the epidemiology of i-CMP in children has not been well defined. A retrospective study in Korean children was performed in 1998 to obtain basic data on i-CMP. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The medical records of all patients aged birth to 15 years from the hospitals where pediatric cardiologists worked were reviewed to obtain information on i-CMP. Pediatric cardiologists from a total of 22 hospitals were participated in reviewing the medical records of their patients and filling up the protocol. The data were pooled to the study committee and reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 278 cases with i-CMP, there were dilated cardiomyopathy (d-CMP) in 182 (65.4%): hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (h-CMP) in 74 (26.6%): restrictive cardiomyopathy (r-CMP) and unclassified in 17 (6.1%) and 5 (1.9%) each. The average annual occurrence of new cases as a whole was 2.65 per 100,000 (95% CI: 1.5-3.7): d-CMP, 1.73/100,000/year (95% CI: 0.73-2.73): h-CMP, 0.71/100,000/year (95% CI: 0.35-1.07): r-CMP, 0.16/100,000/year (95% CI: 0.02-0.3). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 11 months in d-CMP: 3.0 years in h-CMP: 6.9 years in r-CMP. The survival rate in d-CMP was 76% at 1 year, 72.5% at 2 year, 70% at 5 year. There was no difference in survival rate according to age (in d-CMP, between children less than 2 years of age and over 2 years of age (74% vs. 79% at 1 year: 67% vs. 76% at 5 year, p=NS): in h-CMP, between children less than 1 year of age and over 1 year of age (84% vs. 96% at 1 year: 63% vs. 81% at 5 year, p=NS)). R-CMP showed the worst survival rate (72% at 1 year, 30.2% at 5 year). CONCLUSION: In spite of the inherent defects of retrospective analysis, this study provides the useful epidemiological data in children with i-CMP. However, more systemic approach is needed to define the nature of the i-CMP in children.
Cardiomyopathies* ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects of Schisandra chinensis Baillon extract (SCE) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative hepatic damage in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were pretreated with SCE (300, 600, and 1,200 mg/kg BW) or saline once daily for 14 consecutive days. On day 14, each animal, except those belonging to the normal control group, were injected with t-BHP (0.8 mmol/kg BW/i.p.), and all of the rats were sacrificed 16 h after t-BHP injection. RESULTS: Although no significant differences in AST and ALT levels were observed among the TC and SCE groups, the high-dose SCE group showed a decreasing tendency compared to the TC group. However, erythrocyte SOD activity showed a significant increase in the low-dose SCE group compared with the TC group. On the other hand, no significant differences in hepatic total glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were observed among the TC and SCE groups. Hepatic histopathological evaluation revealed that pretreatment with SCE resulted in reduced t-BHP-induced incidence of lesions, such as neutrophil infiltration, swelling of liver cells, and necrosis. In particular, treatment with a high dose of SCE resulted in induction of phase II antioxidant/detoxifying enzyme expression, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we conclude that SCE exerts protective effects against t-BHP induced oxidative hepatic damage through the reduction of neutrophil infiltration, swelling of liver cells, and necrosis. In addition, SCE regulates the gene expression of phase II antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes independent of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity.
Animals ; Catalytic Domain ; Erythrocytes ; Gene Expression* ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glutathione Reductase ; Glutathione Transferase ; Hand ; Incidence ; Liver ; Necrosis ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schisandra* ; tert-Butylhydroperoxide

PURPOSE: The outcomes of infants weighing less than 1,500 gm(very low birth weight infant : VLBWI) reflect recent progress in neonatal intensive care. In this study, we analyzed changes over time in survival rate and morbidity of VLBWIs during the past seven years. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was analyzed for VLBWIs admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center within three days from birth. We compared the outcomes of previous corresponding data(period I : Oct. 1994 to Sept. 1996), with the outcomes of period II(Oct. 1996 to Dec. 1998) and period III(Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2000). RESULTS: As shown in Tables 1 and 3, the distribution of birth weight, gestational age(GA), gender, and inborn admissions did not change during the 7-year study. The overall survival rate of VLBWI increased significantly over time(period I : 72% vs period III : 88.3%, P<0.05). Between period I and period II, the birth weight-specific survival rate increased by 23.6%(75% vs 92.7%, P<0.05) for infants 1,000 to 1,249 gm. Between period II and period III, the birth weight-specific survival rate increased three times(20% vs 66.7%, P<0.05) for infants <750 gm. The survivors of lowest birth weight included infants at 624 gm(GA : 26(+5) weeks), 667 gm(GA : 25(+6) weeks) and 480 gm(GA : 26(+2) weeks) in each period. The gestational age-specific survival rate in period III increased significantly in GA 25-26 weeks and 29-30 weeks(vs period I and period II, P<0.05). The survivors of lowest gestational age included infants at GA 26 weeks(970 gm), GA 23(+5) weeks(791 gm) and GA 24(+1) weeks(740 gm) in each period. The incidence of severe IVH(grade III, IV) and the early death rate(I; P<0.05), reflecting improve-ments in neonatal intensive care. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of VLBWI continues to increase, particularly for BW <750 gm, GA <26 weeks. This increase in survival is not associated by any increase in major morbidities.
Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Survivors

PURPOSE: Recent progress in neonatal intensive care has led to increased survival of infants weighing less than 1500 gm. Many studies to declining sequelae of intensive care, addition to increasing survival, were made. So, we investigated particulary the relationship between survival and birth weight, gestational age, and factors associated with morbidities. METHOD: The retrospecitve review of medical records was analyzed for 92 VLBW infants(birth weight <1,500gm) who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung seoul hosptial from 1994 to 1996. We compared the outcomes of 32 VLBW infants between October 1994 and September 1995 (period I), with the outcomes of 60 VLBW infants between October 1995 and September 1996 (period II). RESULTS: 1) The incidence of VLBW infants was 1.01% in period I and 1.55% in period II. The overall survival rate increased to 76.7% in period II, compared with 71.9% in period I. 2) By birth weight, the highest survival rate was 100% at 750gm in peeriod I, and 86.4% at 1000 to 1249gm in period II. The survival rate at birth weight 1000 to 1249 gm increased significantly in period II. According to gestational age, the highest was at 31-32 weeks(85.7%) in period I, and at 29-30 weeks(88.9%) in period II. 3) The male : female ratio was 1:1 in period I versus 1:1.07 in period II. There was no significant difference in sex and mode of delivery. 4) The most common major morbidity occurred in VLBW infants was respiratory distress syndrome (65.6% in period I, 53.3% in period II). 5) There was no difference of neonatal death rate during period I, while 2-3 days after birth was the highest(30.0%) during period II. Major causes of death, during both periods, were infection and respiratory distress syndrome and/or its sequelae. CONCLUSION: This report demonstrates marked increased survival rate than previous other reports and especially during period II. With increasing survival, more attention to neonatal sequelae, including chronic lung disease and neurodevelopmental delay, is required.
Birth Weight ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Critical Care* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Seoul ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: It is controversial whether indoor pet exposure is either a risk or protective factor developing sensitization to pet allergens or asthma. Therefore, we investigated whether indoor pet ownership entails a risk for the development of asthma and sensitization in childhood. METHODS: The Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC) is a general-population-based birth cohort study that recruited 2,078 mother-baby dyads in Korea between April and July of 2008. Among 1,577 children who were followed up in 2015, 559 underwent skin prick tests, spirometry and bronchial provocation tests using Provocholine. Having a cat or a dog and the prevalence of asthma were evaluated by using self-reported questionnaires and physicians’ medical records. RESULTS: During infancy, the rate of dog ownership was 4.5% (71 of 1,574) and that of cat ownership was 0.5% (8 of 1,574). Of the subjects, 7.9% (n=109) currently had at least 1 dog and 2.5% (n=34) had at least 1 cat. Pet ownership during infancy was associated with sensitization to cats or dogs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–13.98), wheezing within 12 months (aOR, 5.56; 95% CI, 1.65–18.75) and current asthma (wheezing episode in the last 12 months+diagnosed asthma by physicians) (aOR, 6.36; 95% CI, 1.54–26.28). In contrast, pet ownership during the last 12 months was not associated with sensitization to cats or dogs or current asthma. CONCLUSION: Indoor pet exposure during infancy can be critical for developing sensitization to cats or dogs and asthma in childhood. Avoidance of pet exposure in early life may reduce sensitization to cats or dogs and development of asthma.
Allergens ; Animals ; Asthma ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Cats ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Dogs ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Parturition ; Pets ; Prevalence ; Protective Factors ; Respiratory Sounds ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Spirometry

BACKGROUND: A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug methacholine chloride (Provocholine®) was recently introduced to Korea where it is now widely used in clinical practice. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and cutoff value of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to Provocholine in 7-year-old children. METHODS: Six hundred and thirty-three children from the Panel Study on Korean Children who visited 16 regional hospitals were evaluated. Skin prick tests, spirometry and bronchial provocation tests for Provocholine as well as a detailed history and physical examinations were performed. The bronchial provocation test was reliably performed on 559 of these children. RESULTS: The prevalence of ever-diagnosed asthma via medical records was 7.7%, and that of current asthma (wheezy episode in the last 12 months + diagnosed asthma by physicians) was 3.2%. The prevalence of BHR to Provocholine was 17.2% and 25.8%, respectively, for a PC20 < 8 and < 16 mg/mL. The risk factors for BHR (PC20 < 16 mg/mL) were atopic dermatitis diagnosis and current dog ownership, whereas those for current asthma were allergy rhinitis diagnosis, a history of bronchiolitis before the age of 3, recent use of analgesics/antipyretics and maternal history of asthma. The BHR prevalence trend showed an increase along with the increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) quartile. The cutoff value of PC20 for the diagnosis of current asthma in children at age 7 was 5.8 mg/mL (sensitivity: 47.1%, specificity: 87.4%). CONCLUSIONS: BHR to Provocholine (PC20 < 8 mg/mL) was observed in 17.2% of 7-year-olds children from the general population and the cutoff value of PC20 for the diagnosis of current asthma was 5.8 mg/mL in this age group. The risk factors for BHR and current asthma showed discrepancies suggesting different underlying mechanisms. Bronchial provocation testing with Provocholine will be a useful clinical tool in the future.
Animals ; Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Bronchiolitis ; Child* ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diagnosis ; Dogs ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Methacholine Chloride* ; Ownership ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Rhinitis ; Risk Factors* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Spirometry ; United States Food and Drug Administration