PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to access the prevalence of orthostatic dysregulation(OD) and the frequency of each category for major and minor criteria among elementary school students using the OD questionnaire. METHODS: We carried out inquiry by questionnaire as to the frequency of OD among two elementary schools with 725 students, 10 to 12 years of age, residing in Gwangju, Korea. The questionnaire was made according to criteria proposed by the Japan OD Study Group. RESULTS: Of the 725 students(male 390; female 335) questioned, the OD was found in 338 students (53.5 percent). Prevalence of OD in males(59.2 percent) was significantly higher than in females(46.8 percent)(P<0.05). Palpitation with slight exercise(95.9 percent) was the most frequent major symptom. Headaches(85.8 percent) were the most frequent minor symptom among cases of OD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of OD in elementary school students in this study(53.5 percent) was higher than in other studies. Contrary to studies from other countries, the male to female ratio was reversed. Because the diagnostic criteria seem to be dependent on subjective reporting of the symptoms, a newer diagnostic system based on more objective findings should be established.
Child ; Female ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: In febrile convulsions, glucose concentrations are known to increase both in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF). The reason behind this increase is, however, not completely understood. We have studied the effects of convulsion and fever on the CSF and blood concentrations in four different groups of children: convulsive and non- convulsive children, with and without fever. METHODS: This study was retrospectively undertaken to review medical records of 167 children who had lumbar puncture at Chosun University Hospital during 2 years from January 1994 to December 1996. The blood samples for glucose determinations were taken just before the lumbar puncture. The effects of several variables (body temperature, duration of fever, convulsions) were analysed on glucose concentrations in the CSF and blood between the groups. RESULTS: 1) The concentration of glucose in the CSF was significantly higher in convulsive children with(90.9+/-24.Smg/dl) and without fever(105+/-29.7mg/dl) than in non-convulsive children with(68.4+/-12.3mg/dl) and without fever(67.5+/-13.3mg/dl). 2) The concentration of glucose in the blood was not significant in the different groups. 3) There was no correlation between the body temperature and the concentration of glucose in the CSF(r=0.09, p>0.05).4) A negative correlation between the duration of the fever and the concentration of glucose in the CSF was found in febrile chi1dren (r=-0.26, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that an increase in the CSF glucose concentration in convulsive children may be influenced more by a stress reaction, evoked by the seizure than increased body temperature.
Body Temperature ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Child* ; Fever ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures* ; Seizures, Febrile ; Spinal Puncture

BACKGROUND: This study was to evaluate a nationwide nosocomial infection rate and antimicrobial resistance in intensive care units(ICUs) in Korea. METHODS: The study was carried out at 16 university-affiliated teaching hospitals from July through October 2004. We performed a prospective multicenter study to investigate nosocomial infection rates, device-associated infection rated, and causative pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance. RESULTS: The urinary tract was the most commonly involved site. Nosocomial infection rate was 12.48 in medical. ICU (MICU), 9.59 in medical surgical ICU (MSICU), 14.76 in surgical ICU (MSICU), and 11.60 in other lCU. Device-associated infection rates were as follow: 1) rates of urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infection were 4.26 in MICU, 3.17 in SICU, 4.88 in MSICU, and 5.87 in other ICU; 2) rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection were 3.24 in MICU, 1.56 in SlCU, 2.36 in MSICU, and 1.78 in other ICU; 3) rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia were 3.61 in MlCU, 13.05 in SICU, 1.68 in MSICU, and 4.84 in other lCU. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently identified microorganism in this study; 93% of S. aurues were resistant to methicillin; 17% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated were resistant to imipenem; 11% of Enterococcus faecium and 18% of Enterococcus faecalis showed resistance to vancomycin. Over a half of Acinetobacter spp, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli showed resistant to fluoroquinolone. Conclusion: This study shows the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of infection control in the lCU in Korea. This study should provide a theoretical strategy to enforce the infection control.
Acinetobacter ; Cross Infection* ; Enterococcus faecalis ; Enterococcus faecium ; Escherichia coli ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Hospitals, University* ; Imipenem ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Korea* ; Methicillin ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Prospective Studies ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vancomycin