PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate serum magnesium(Mg) concentration in very low birth weight(VLBW) infants during the first three weeks of life and to assess its relation to diseases of prematurity. METHODS: We measured serum Mg level at 0, 1, 2, and 3weeks of life in VLBW infants and analyzed its correlations with diseases of prematurity. Ninety-five VLBW infants(mean gestational age 30.4wks, birth wt 1304gm) who survived 30days were selected. Seven infants who had been treated with magnesium sulfate prenatally were excluded. RESULTS: Serum Mg level decreased linearly during the first three weeks of life(P=0.03). Serum Mg level at birth had no significant relation to gestational age, birth weight and serum calcium concentration. Serum Mg level at birth were higher within normal range in infants with respiratory distress syndrome(n=20, 2.6mg/dl vs. n=68, 2.2mg/dl, P=0.036), patent ductus arteriosus (n= 19, 2.5mg/dl vs. n=69, 2.2mg/dl, P=0.035) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)(n=15, 2.6mg/dl. vs. n=73, 2.2mg/dl, P=0.01) than in infants without them. Serum Mg level at first week of life were similar(2.3mg/dl. vs. 2.2mg/dl, P=0.51) and serum Mg level at second and third weeks of life were significantly lower in infants with BPD than in control(1.9mg/dl vs. 2.2mg/dl, P=0.002 and 1.6mg/dl vs. 2.2mg/dl, P=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Serum Mg level during the first three weeks of life decreased linearly. Serum Mg level of infants with BPD at birth was higher within normal variation than in infants without BPD. And serum Mg level of infants with BPD at second and third weeks of life were lower than control. Thus, we suggest that Mg deficiency during the first three weeks of life might play a role in the pathogenesis of BPD.
Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Calcium ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Magnesium Sulfate ; Magnesium* ; Parturition ; Reference Values

Intussusception is the most common cause of acquired intestinal obstruction during infancy and early childhood and requires early diagnosis and treatment. We observed 431 cases of intussusception who admitted at Chungang Gil Hospital from January 1987 to June 1991, and compared the result of treatment with Barium Enema in 302 cases with that of Air Enema in 129 cases. The results were as follows; 1) In sex distribution, males were more affected than females as a ratio of 2:1. 2) In age incidence, 78.2% of the cases were between 3~10 months. 3) Slight seasonal prevalence was noted in spring and autumn. 4) The common symptoms and signs were cyclic irritability (89.1%), vomiting (78.9%), bloody stool (84.9%) and abdominal mass(43.1%). 5) The common diseases accompanied were URI (39.7%), AGE (13.0%) and UTI(1.2%). 6) 5.8% of cases were visited after the 48 hours of symptom onset, in these cases the operation rate was 39.1%. So the longer duration of symptoms persists, the lower reduction rate follows. 7) The most common type of intussusception was ileocolic type, and the lowest reduction rate was noted in ileoileocolic type. 8) In the reduction rate, 87.4% with Barium Enema and 89.1% with Air Enema. 9) After 24 hours of symptom onset, the reduction rate, 74.4% with Barium Enema and 78.6% with Air Enema. 10) Recurrence rate was 9.3% with Barium Enema and 7.8% with Air Enema. 11) In Barium Enema, 1 case of bowel perforation was observed, and he expired with barium peritonitis, in Air Enema, 2 cases of bowel perforation were observed, and cured after operation. 12) We observed some advantages in Air Enema such as simplicity, high reduction rate and absence of fatal complications. And we think that Air Enema is a useful diagnstic and treatment method of intussusception.
Barium* ; Early Diagnosis ; Enema* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intussusception* ; Male ; Peritonitis ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Seasons ; Sex Distribution ; Vomiting

The incidence of Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) in premature infants is rare, the presentation is not typical, and the diagnosis delayed due to uncertain diagnostic criteria in abdominal ultrasonography (US). We report two premature infants with HPS diagnosed by US and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast study. Patient 1. A premature female infant (birth weight 1950 gm at 34 week's gestation) with the onset of intermittent vomiting at 9 days of age was evaluated. US was normal at 13 days of life, however, abnormal at 41 days of life (pyloric muscle length 16.5 mm). Patient 2. A premature male infant (birth weight 1470 gm at 29 week's gestation) with the onset of intermittent vomiting at 10 days of age was evaluated. US showed pylorospasm at 11 days of life, however, findings compatible with HPS at 57 days of life (pyloric muscle thickness 11 mm).UGI contrast study at 48 days of life showed similar findings in both cases. Both patients had undergone pyloromyotomy. In conclusion, the diagnosis of HPS in premature infants requires careful follow-up by US and UGI contrast study.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Male ; Pyloric Stenosis* ; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic ; Ultrasonography ; Vomiting

Toxic epidermal necrolysis(TEN) is a bullous disorder affecting mainly basal layers of epidermis by hypersensitive reaction. It is rarely reported in infants under six months of age. It can be developed by drug, infection, and vaccination, which makes it difficult to differentiate from staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome(SSSS) especially in early infancy. We report a case of TEN in a 6-week-old infant with short bowel syndrome receiving total parenteral nutrition. A male infant(birth weight 2,570gm at 37 weeks) whose mother had polyhydramnios with bilous vomiting at birth was evaluated. Barium and histologic study showed total aganglionosis. Surgical resection was performed at 3 days of life and subsequently short bowel syndrome developed. Total parenteral nutrition via central venous catheter was done due to feeding intolerance. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from blood at 37days of life, and we administered vancomycin. As multiple scaly eruption and fever developed at 47days of life, we were suspicious of SSSS. Blood culture done at 47days of life revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa and skin biopsy showed the split at dermoepidermal junction at light microcopy and confirmed the diagnosis of TEN. Despite discontinuation of antibiotics, the infant did not improve and died due to shock at 54days of life. We emphasized that in case of acute, severe exfoliative disease in early infancy, the diagnosis of TEN should be considered and that skin biopsy should be performed to make the correct diagnosis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Barium ; Biopsy ; Central Venous Catheters ; Diagnosis ; Epidermis ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mothers ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Parturition ; Polyhydramnios ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Shock ; Short Bowel Syndrome ; Skin ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome* ; Vaccination ; Vancomycin ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: Preterm very low birth weight infant have high rate of adverse neurodevelopmental sequale. Recently, there have been lots of reports that human umbilical cord blood transplantation ameliorates functional deficits in animal models as hypoxic ischemic injury. This pilot study was undertaken to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of autologous umbilical cord blood cell transplantation for preventing neurodevelopmental sequale in perterm VLBW. METHODS: Subjects were 26 preterm infants whose birth weight are less than 1,500 g and delivered under the intrauterine period 34 weeks. Autologous umbilical mononuclear cells (about 5.87x10(7)/kg) were injected to neonate via the umbilical vein on the postnatal 24-48 hour. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed by numbers of nucleated RBC, urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio, concentration of neuron specific enolase (NSE), interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid on day 1 and 7. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the numbers of the nucleated RBC, urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio, concentration of creatine kinase between the transplanted infants and controls. But the nucleated RBC is more likely to be rapidly discharged in the transplanted group. In the transplanted group, the concentrations of IL6, IL-1beta, and GDNF were no significant difference between day 1 and 7, although GDNF seemed to be elevated. Serum NSE concentration was significantly elevated after transplantation, but not in CSF. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that autologous umbilical cord blood transplantation in preterm very low birth weight infant is safe to apply clinical practice. Long term follow up study should be needed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of umbilical cord blood transplantation for neuroprotection.
Birth Weight ; Cell Transplantation ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Creatine Kinase ; Fetal Blood* ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Models, Animal ; Neuroglia ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Pilot Projects* ; Transplants ; Umbilical Cord* ; Umbilical Veins

PURPOSE: Early intervention is needed to treat patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) as it is a major cause of increased mortality in preterm infants. However, it is uncertain which is better, medical versus surgical management. We reviewed medical records to compare the treatment course and outcome between medically and surgically treated preterm PDA infants. METHODS: Thirth-two Mechanically ventilated pretem infants (gestational age<34 wks, birth weight<2,000gm) who survived beyond 30 days were studied. Treatment course and outcome were compared between indomethacin-treated (INDO, n=15) and surgically treated who have not responded to indomethacin (Surg, n=17). RESULTS: Volume of administered fluid and urine output during the first five days of life were similar, however, initial weight loss were lower in the SURG group than INDO group (p=0.031). Size of PDA on the echocardiogram were larger in SURG group (mean 3.4 mm) than INDO group (mean 2.5 mm) (p=0.046). Duration of hospitalization was longer in the SURG group (mean 46 days) than INDO group (mean 72 days) (p=0.033), however, time to start feeding, ventilator duration and weaning time were similar in both groups. Incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage was lower in the SURG group (47%) than INDO group (6%) (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Preterm infants with poor initial weight loss and large size of PDA were likely to become surgical candidates and required longer periods of hospitalization and showed increased incidence of IVH. Although surgical treatment of PDA in preterm infants is definitive, fluid restriction and medical management at early postnatal period is recommended.
Ductus Arteriosus, Patent* ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Indomethacin ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weaning ; Weight Loss