Background: Pediatric obesity is a global public health concern. South Korea is witnessing a notable increase in obesity rates among children and adolescents, despite various governmental interventions. Parents play a crucial role in preventing and managing pediatric obesity, as they are typically the primary observers of their child’s weight and daily habits. Methods: This study involved 10 parents of overweight or obese children and adolescents in South Korea, identified from a 2023 Student Health Examination. Focus group interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences, followed by a rigorous qualitative content analysis of the data. Results: The analysis revealed one main theme, parental roles and challenges in managing pediatric obesity, that encompassed five categories: parental awareness and perception of pediatric obesity; causes of pediatric obesity; parental strategies for managing obesity; barriers to management; and support systems and resources.Parental recognition of their child’s obesity was predominantly initiated through student health examinations at school, and the cause of obesity was multifactorial. Parents use various strategies, such as dietary changes and exercise promotion, but face barriers, including stigma and resource constraints. Parents demand comprehensive support from schools, healthcare providers, and community programs to effectively manage obesity. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to address parents’ specific obstacles in managing pediatric obesity. Enhancing parental awareness, providing clear information, and strengthening support systems are essential for preventing and managing pediatric obesity in South Korea.

Background: Pediatric obesity is a global public health concern. South Korea is witnessing a notable increase in obesity rates among children and adolescents, despite various governmental interventions. Parents play a crucial role in preventing and managing pediatric obesity, as they are typically the primary observers of their child’s weight and daily habits. Methods: This study involved 10 parents of overweight or obese children and adolescents in South Korea, identified from a 2023 Student Health Examination. Focus group interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences, followed by a rigorous qualitative content analysis of the data. Results: The analysis revealed one main theme, parental roles and challenges in managing pediatric obesity, that encompassed five categories: parental awareness and perception of pediatric obesity; causes of pediatric obesity; parental strategies for managing obesity; barriers to management; and support systems and resources.Parental recognition of their child’s obesity was predominantly initiated through student health examinations at school, and the cause of obesity was multifactorial. Parents use various strategies, such as dietary changes and exercise promotion, but face barriers, including stigma and resource constraints. Parents demand comprehensive support from schools, healthcare providers, and community programs to effectively manage obesity. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to address parents’ specific obstacles in managing pediatric obesity. Enhancing parental awareness, providing clear information, and strengthening support systems are essential for preventing and managing pediatric obesity in South Korea.

Background: Pediatric obesity is a global public health concern. South Korea is witnessing a notable increase in obesity rates among children and adolescents, despite various governmental interventions. Parents play a crucial role in preventing and managing pediatric obesity, as they are typically the primary observers of their child’s weight and daily habits. Methods: This study involved 10 parents of overweight or obese children and adolescents in South Korea, identified from a 2023 Student Health Examination. Focus group interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences, followed by a rigorous qualitative content analysis of the data. Results: The analysis revealed one main theme, parental roles and challenges in managing pediatric obesity, that encompassed five categories: parental awareness and perception of pediatric obesity; causes of pediatric obesity; parental strategies for managing obesity; barriers to management; and support systems and resources.Parental recognition of their child’s obesity was predominantly initiated through student health examinations at school, and the cause of obesity was multifactorial. Parents use various strategies, such as dietary changes and exercise promotion, but face barriers, including stigma and resource constraints. Parents demand comprehensive support from schools, healthcare providers, and community programs to effectively manage obesity. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to address parents’ specific obstacles in managing pediatric obesity. Enhancing parental awareness, providing clear information, and strengthening support systems are essential for preventing and managing pediatric obesity in South Korea.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Lupus is characterized by the autoantibodies against nuclear Ags, underscoring the importance of identifying the B cell subsets driving autoimmunity. Our research focused on the mitochondrial activity and CXCR4 expression in CD11c + B cells from lupus patients after ex vivo stimulation with a TLR9 agonist, CpG-oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN). We also evaluated the response of CD11c + B cells in ODN-injected mice. Post-ex vivo ODN stimulation, we observed an increase in the proportion of CD11chi cells, with elevated mitochondrial activity and CXCR4 expression in CD11c + B cells from lupus patients. In vivo experiments showed similar patterns, with TLR9 stimulation enhancing mitochondrial and CXCR4 activities in CD11chi B cells, leading to the generation of anti-dsDNA plasmablasts. The CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 and the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor IM156 significantly reduced the proportion of CD11c + B cells and autoreactive plasmablasts. These results underscore the pivotal roles of mitochondria and CXCR4 in the production of autoreactive plasmablasts.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Lupus is characterized by the autoantibodies against nuclear Ags, underscoring the importance of identifying the B cell subsets driving autoimmunity. Our research focused on the mitochondrial activity and CXCR4 expression in CD11c + B cells from lupus patients after ex vivo stimulation with a TLR9 agonist, CpG-oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN). We also evaluated the response of CD11c + B cells in ODN-injected mice. Post-ex vivo ODN stimulation, we observed an increase in the proportion of CD11chi cells, with elevated mitochondrial activity and CXCR4 expression in CD11c + B cells from lupus patients. In vivo experiments showed similar patterns, with TLR9 stimulation enhancing mitochondrial and CXCR4 activities in CD11chi B cells, leading to the generation of anti-dsDNA plasmablasts. The CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 and the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor IM156 significantly reduced the proportion of CD11c + B cells and autoreactive plasmablasts. These results underscore the pivotal roles of mitochondria and CXCR4 in the production of autoreactive plasmablasts.

Lupus is characterized by the autoantibodies against nuclear Ags, underscoring the importance of identifying the B cell subsets driving autoimmunity. Our research focused on the mitochondrial activity and CXCR4 expression in CD11c + B cells from lupus patients after ex vivo stimulation with a TLR9 agonist, CpG-oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN). We also evaluated the response of CD11c + B cells in ODN-injected mice. Post-ex vivo ODN stimulation, we observed an increase in the proportion of CD11chi cells, with elevated mitochondrial activity and CXCR4 expression in CD11c + B cells from lupus patients. In vivo experiments showed similar patterns, with TLR9 stimulation enhancing mitochondrial and CXCR4 activities in CD11chi B cells, leading to the generation of anti-dsDNA plasmablasts. The CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 and the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor IM156 significantly reduced the proportion of CD11c + B cells and autoreactive plasmablasts. These results underscore the pivotal roles of mitochondria and CXCR4 in the production of autoreactive plasmablasts.

Purpose: Hypothermia upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) contributes significantly to various neonatal complications, particularly in preterm infants. This study aimed to assess the impact of quality improvement (QI) interventions, including using plastic bags and head caps, and adjusting delivery room temperatures, on improving the admission body temperature and reducing hypothermia in infants born at less than 32 weeks or weighing 1,500 g. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of infants born at less than 32 weeks or weighing 1,500 g who admitted to the NICU at Samsung Medical Center from January 2022 to February 2024. The QI program that was initiated in April 2023 focused on managing admission temperatures using plastic bags and head caps, and maintaining delivery room temperatures at ≥25 °C. The admission temperature and short-term outcomes pre- and post-QI were compared. Results: In a study of 270 patients, implementing QI initiatives significantly raised the admission temperature from 36.2±0.5 to 36.4±0.4 °C (p<0.01), particularly impacting infants weighing ≥1,000 g, in whom mild hypothermia occurrences dropped from 76.3% to 43.9% (p<0.01). This improvement in temperature management significantly decreased both mild and severe hypothermia rates post-QI. Additionally, implementing all three initiatives was more effective than when two or fewer initiatives were implemented. Conclusion Simple and cost-effective QI interventions can increase admission temperatures and decrease hypothermia in neonates. Further research is essential to explore the long-term outcomes and develop effective hypothermia management strategies in neonatal care.

Purpose: To investigate the risk factors associated with hypospadias in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (VLBWIs). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 729 infants born at ≥24 weeks of gestational age and weighing <1,500 g from January 2012 to December 2022. We assessed the prevalence of hypospadias by birth weight percentiles and also compared the demographics and placental histopathology of the infants with hypospadias (n=52) and those without hypospadias (n=677). Results: Of the 729 patients analysed, hypospadias was recorded in 26 (20.3%), 14 (26.9%), and 12 (2.5%) infants in the <3rd, ≥3rd–<10th, and ≥10th–<90th percentiles, respectively. Of all of the patients with hypospadias, 50% had birth weights <3rd percentile (p<0.001). The hypospadias group demonstrated a longer mean gestational age (30.1 weeks vs. 27.9 weeks, p<0.001), lower incidence of maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension (48.1% vs. 17.3%, p<0.001), lower incidence of premature rupture of membrane (11.5% vs. 27.1%, p=0.013), lower acute chorioamniotic maternal response (9.1% vs. 35.2%, p<0.001), and higher maternal underperfusion (95.5% vs. 71.9%, p<0.001). Conclusion The frequency of hypospadias was found to be the highest among VBLWIs <3rd percentile, who were severely small for their gestational age (SGA). Additionally, the incidence increased with a decreasing birth weight. Physical examination is necessary at birth for VLBWIs classified as SGA. Moreover, the data on the incidence of hypospadias among VLBWIs in neonatal intensive care units can assist in tracking counseling from the prenatal to the postnatal period for patients born <3rd percentile.