PURPOSE: Tracheostomy has been increasingly performed in children, along with the improvements in neonatal and pediatric intensive care. The objective of this study was to describe the indications, comorbidities, complications, and outcomes of tracheostomy in children in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of children who required tracheostomy in a tertiary hospital in Korea between April 2009 and March 2018. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 41 children underwent tracheostomy. The median age of the patients was 11.9 months (interquartile range [IQR], 5.4–179.2 months), and 20 (48.8%) were boys. Tracheostomy was performed commonly in respiratory disease (12 [29.2%]) and neurologic disease (17 [41.5%]). The indications of tracheostomy differed according to patient age. There were trends toward longer length of intubation (median, 78.0 days; IQR, 36.0–185.0 days), longer hospitalization (213.3±154.5 days), higher decannulation rate (32.0%) and lower complications (12.0%) in patients who received tracheostomy as an infant/toddler. CONCLUSION: Regarding pediatric tracheostomy in this study, there were bimodal age distribution and consequential clinical differences depending on patient age.
Age Distribution ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Critical Care ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Intubation ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Tracheostomy

Objective: To study the efficiency and indication of combined medication with a stimulant and non-stimulant for attention-deficiency/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), herein, the authors examined children and adult patients with ADHD. Methods: Subjects included patients diagnosed with ADHD who paid two or more visits to the outpatient clinic of the Kyung Hee University hospital from January 2009 to December 2019. The authors examined the age, sex, drugs, treatment adherence, and reason for combined medication. The subjects were classified into four groups: treatment with a non-stimulant (atomoxetine) only (Group ATX), treatment with a stimulant (methylphenidate immediate-release, extended-release, or osmotic-release oral system) only (Group MPH), exposed to both but separately used (Group SEP), and exposed to both with combined use (Group COM). The patient was considered adherent to treatment (1) on visiting the hospital ten or more times or consecutively for six months, and (2) medication possession ratio ≥ 0.8. Results: Of 929 patients, 229 (24.7%) were female. Group ATX comprised 146 (15.7%) patients, Group MPH comprised 627 (67.5%) patients, Group SEP comprised 106 (11.4%) patients, and Group COM comprised 50 (5.4%) patients. Longer-term adherence was seen with combined medication and in females than with monopharmacy and in males. The main indication for combination was dose-limiting untoward effects. Conclusion These results suggest that combined medication would facilitate treatment adherence for ADHD. Further research is essential for the replication of these results in a large sample and the investigation of the indications for administering combined medication in children and adults with ADHD.

Objective: The shortage of clinical data regarding adult patients with often results in adults with ADHD being stigmatized and being inadequately treated. In this paper, famous people who potentially have ADHD were analyzed to understand better, the life-long progression of ADHD. Methods: 131 people were analyzed as potential candidates for ADHD. A grading system for the candidates was developed: class 1, compatible with ADHD; class 2, likely; class 3, less likely; class 4, uncertain with a shortage of data; and class 5, not compatible. Initially, 39 subjects in class 4 and 12 in class 5 were excluded from the analysis. Finally, 80 subjects (30 in class 1, 33 in class 2, and 17 in class 3) were analyzed for sociodemographic data and psychiatric comorbidities. Results: 88.8% were men and 47.5% of the subjects were married once. In terms of occupation, 45.0% of the subjects were cultural professionals and 25.0% were chief executives. Narcissistic personality disorder was the most frequently noted comorbidity, followed by substance-related and addictive disorder. Conclusion Famous people with ADHD in this study revealed high skill levels in occupation, offering positive aspects of ADHD in adults.

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a transcriptional regulator that binds to a complex DNA motif in various orientations and plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, chromatin restructuring, and developmental processes. Mutations in the CTCF are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we report the first Korean case with a de novo heterozygous variant in the CTCF (c.1025G>A; p.Arg342His). She showed global developmental delay, failure to thrive, and dysmorphic face, which are phenotypes consistent with previous reports in the autosomal dominant intellectual developmental disorder 21 (MIM 615502). She also showed clinical features not previously reported, such as antral web and tracheobronchomalacia.Our case follows suit and expands understanding of this rare disorder by reporting common features and, on the other hand, unreported concomitant congenital anomalies.

BACKGROUND: Newborn screening of tyrosinemia type 1 is important for identifying infants at risk for developing this disease before life-threatening symptoms occur. It is difficult to differentiate between tyrosinemia type 1 and transient neonatal tyrosinemia (TNT) by analyzing tyrosine alone. Thus, succinylacetone must be analyzed. In this study, we measured succinylacetone in dried blood spot (DBS) by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and established cut-off values. METHODS: We used the hydrazine derivatization method to measure succinylacetone in 127 DBSs showing normal results in the newborn screening test and 93 DBSs showing increased tyrosine levels. We established cut-off values using the 99.9th percentile value or median+5 standard deviation value. RESULTS: Succinylacetone levels determined by our method were well-correlated with the results recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proficiency testing (r=0.9968). The succinylacetone levels in normal newborn DBSs were significantly lower than those in DBSs with high tyrosine levels (P < 0.001). The cut-off values were calculated to be 1.3 µM from the results of 127 normal DBS samples and 2.2 µM from 220 DBSs, including in 93 newborns with TNT. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of succinylacetone in DBSs by HPLC-MS/MS is useful in individuals with increased tyrosine concentrations and can be used for rapid differential diagnosis of tyrosinemia when an appropriate cut-off value is established.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mass Screening ; Mass Spectrometry* ; Methods ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Trinitrotoluene ; Tyrosine ; Tyrosinemias

PURPOSE: Allergic rhinitis is the most common atopic disease and the most common chronic disease of children. Eosinophil count and percentage in nasal smear are useful for differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between nasal eosinophil count and percentage.METHODS: Between January 2017 and August 2018, 221 children patients with a clinical history of rhinitis were tested at the outpatient respiratory and allergy unit of the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea. Nasal secretion was collected by swabbing a children's nasal inferior turbinate 3–4 times with a cotton swab and then placed on to a glass slide. Later, the smear was stained by Giemsa stain.RESULTS: This is the first study to assess the comparison of nasal eosinophil count and percent. There is a positive correlation between nasal eosinophil count and percent Y=1.02 X+2.82 (Y=Eosinophil count, X=Eosinophil percentage). To determine the usefulness of nasal eosinophil count and percentage in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, we analyzed receiver operating characteristic curves. The cutoff value of the nasal eosinophil count was 6.5/high-power field, and that of the nasal eosinophil ratio was 3% for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected rhinitis, one of the values of nasal eosinophil count or percentage can be used in clinical practice.
Azure Stains ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eosinophils ; Glass ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Pediatrics ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; ROC Curve ; Turbinates

Objective: Patients presenting with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone can avail of two treatment options at the emergency department (ED). This study compared outcomes between dressing and composite graft (CG) using skin stump for patients visiting the ED with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. We reviewed 244 patients with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone who visited the ED from September 2018 to February 2021. We compared the outcomes of the patients who were treated by CG using skin stump and those who received a dressing in the ED. Results: In all, 142 patients were treated by CG using skin stump, and 102 patients were given a dressing only. In the CG group, good outcomes were obtained in 140 patients, whereas additional skin graft treatment was required for two patients with bad outcomes. In the dressing group, 81 patients had good outcomes and 21 patients had bad outcomes which required additional skin graft treatment. Conclusion Results of our study revealed that compared to traditional dressing, ED treatment for fingertip skin defects without exposed bone showed good outcomes when administered CG using skin stump. Hence, we recommend that instead of simple dressing, CG using skin stump is the preferred mode of treatment for patients presenting in the ED with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of radiologic findings in children with suspected foreign body aspiration. METHODS: A retrospective medical chart review was done on 32 children with suspected foreign bodies in terms of age, sex, symptoms, signs, bronchographic findings, and type and location of foreign bodies. The diagnostic value of radiography was analyzed: 29 with chest anteroposterior (AP) or posteroanterior (PA) view, 23 with chest lateral decubitus view, 27 with chest computed tomography (CT), 29 with chest AP, PA or chest lateral decubitus view, and 25 with bronchoscopy. RESULTS: As a measure for detecting foreign body aspiration, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of radiologic findings were: chest AP or PA view, 50%, 100%, 100%, 29.4%, and 58.6%, respectively; chest lateral decubitus view, 57.9%, 50.0%, 84.6%, 20.0%, and 56.5%, respectively; chest AP, PA or chest lateral decubitus view, 69.6%, 66.7%, 88.8%, 36.4%, and 69.0%, respectively; and chest CT, 100.0%, 85.7%, 95.2%, 100.0%, and 96.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is clinical benefit to take chest radiographs to diagnose foreign body aspiration. However, based on the results of this study, it may be not necessary to take chest lateral decubitus to diagnose foreign body aspiration. If chest radiographs show unilateral hyperinflation, foreign body aspiration can be diagnosed. In cases of normal chest radiography and history of a witnessed choking episode combined with positive signs, the diagnosis of airway foreign body aspiration should be made by using chest CT.
Airway Obstruction ; Bronchoscopy ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Foreign Bodies* ; Humans ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thorax* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.