PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships among mother's perception of her own newborn, her caring-confidence level, and her child-rearing attitude; and to provide data for developing effective nursing education programs on maternal newborn care. METHOD: Explorative survey questionnaires were completed by 159 married mothers of newborns from November 2003 to March 2004. Data were analyzed using SPSS/Win 10.0 by t-test and Pearson's Correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean scores of the mother's perception of her own newborn, her caring-confidence level, and her child-rearing attitude were .26, 3.13, and 3.43 respectively. There was a positive correlation between mother's perception of her own newborn and her child-rearing attitude. There was a significant correlation between mothers caring-confidence level and her child-rearing attitude. Score of caring-confidence was significantly different depending on the availability of helper and history of delivery. CONCLUSION: Availability of helper and history of delivery significantly affected mothers caring-confidence. This in turn, along with mothers perception of her own newborn, enhanced mothers child-rearing attitude. Thus, an effective education for mothers should include these factors.
Education ; Education, Nursing ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Mothers* ; Child Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The recent availability of recombinant human erythropoietin has opened new perspectives in the management of a variety of anemias. Clinical trials have been initiated in several countries using different approaches and methodology. We randomly assigned twelve premature infants(gestational age < 32 week) at high risk of requiring erythrocyte transfusion for anemia of prematurity with either subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin or a placebo. Treatment with rHuEPO was initiated at a dose of 100 units/kg day for 3 days a week. All patients were given supplemental oral iron therapy at a dose of 3 mg/kg per day, as tolerated and oral vitamin E at a dose of 25 units per day. Treated and control babies did not differ with respect to weight, hematocrit, overall mean reticulocyte count or rate of growth respectively. However, reticulocyte counts increased earlier in patients given rHuEPO. We conclude that rHuEPO administration is safe and feasible at the dose studied.
Anemia* ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Erythropoietin* ; Hematocrit ; Humans* ; Iron ; Pilot Projects* ; Reticulocyte Count ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

Mid-arm circumference and mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio(MAC/HC) were measured in 207 AGA(appropriate for gestational age) infants delivered at 26 to 42 weeks of gestation from January 1990 to December 1993 in Yeungnam University Hospital, Taegu, Korea. There were linear relationships between MACs and MAC/HC ratios and gestational age(MAC : y=03181x -2.2069, r=0.81, p<0.001 ; MAC/HC ratio : y=0.049x+0.1128, r=0.62, ; < 0.001). Using standard curves of MAC and MAC/HC ratio according to the gestational age, measurement of MAC or MAC/HC ratio can be a noninvasive, simple method to evaluate the intrauterine growth of newborn infants and the nutritional status of growing premature infants.
Daegu ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Infant, Premature ; Korea ; Methods ; Nutritional Status* ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: A nationwide survey was conducted to investigate the most common causative organisms in neonatal sepsis in Korea. METHODS: By reviewing medical records of newborn infants who were confirmed as neonatal sepsis by isolating organisms from blood culture during a one year study period from January to December in 1997, data for causative organisms, risk factors, accompanying focal infections and combinations of antibiotics were collected. RESULTS: 112,351 neonates were born at 55 hospitals in 1997 and 30,767 neonates were admitted to the neonatal units. During this period, 1,175 episodes of neonatal sepsis were recorded in 1,116 neonates. The male to female ratio was 1.17:1. 424 cases(36%) were born prematurely. The main pathogens of early-onset sepsis were coagulase negative Staphylococcus(CONS, 19.3%), S. aureus (16.1%), S. epidermidis(16.1%) and Gram negative bacilli(19.2%) including Pseudomonas(5.9%), Klebsiella(3.9%), E. coli(3.9%), Enterobacter spp(3.5%), Acinetobacter(2.0%). Only six cases of group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus were isolated. Common obstetric factors were premature rupture of membranes(17.3%), maternal leukocytosis(14.6%), fetal tachycardia(10.2%), chorioamnionitis(3.1%) and maternal fever(3.1%). The main pathogens of late-onset sepsis were S. aureus (20.3%), S. epidermidis(18.9%) and CONS(13.7%). Frequent focal infections accompanying sepsis were arthritis(12.8%), meningitis(7.0%), pneumonia(5.4%) and urinary tract infection(3.1%). The most common combination of antibiotics used in early and late neonatal sepsis was ampicillin and gentamicin. When a nosocomial infection was suspected, a combination of vancomycin and cefotaxime was used most frequently. CONCLUSION: S. aureus and S. epidermidis were the most common pathogens in the neonatal sepsis.
Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cefotaxime ; Coagulase ; Cross Infection ; Enterobacter ; Female ; Focal Infection ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Risk Factors ; Rupture ; Sepsis* ; Streptococcus ; Urinary Tract ; Vancomycin

PURPOSE: Leptin is a highly hydrophilic 16-kDa protein which is produced in the adipose tissue and participates in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between umbilical cord blood leptin concentration and intrauterine growth. METHODS: Ninety-seven full-term newborn infants who were born in Yeungnam University Hospital from July to August 1998 were included in the study. They were divided into 3 groups related to birth weight : appropriate for gestational age(AGA) group(n=73), large for gestational age(LGA) group(n=17), small for gestational age(SGA) group(n=7). Birth weight, head circumference, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm circumference to head circumference ratio, Ponderal index, and BMI were measured at birth. Maternal body weight and placental weight were measured. Leptin concentrations of cord blood and maternal serum were measured by a RIA method, and testosterone, estradiol, insulin, c-peptide, glucose, white blood cell, hemoglobin, platelet count of cord blood were also measured. RESULTS: Leptin concentration in cord blood was positively correlated to birth weight and body length. Leptin concentrations(microgram/L) in cord blood were significantly different among groups(10.1+/-1.1 in LGA group, 8.7+/-0.9 in AGA group, 1.7+/-0.1 in SGA group). There was a statistically significant difference in leptin concentration of cord blood between female and male infants(11.6+/-1.9, versus 6.7+/-0.9). There was no significant correlations between leptin concentration of cord blood and placental weights or maternal leptin concentration. Therefore leptin concentration of cord blood can not inflect maternal leptin concentration but intrauterine fetal growth. CONCLUSION: Leptin in cord blood might originate mainly from fetal adipose tissue rather than the placenta, and may be related to fetal growth.
Adipose Tissue ; Birth Weight ; Body Weight ; C-Peptide ; Eating ; Energy Metabolism ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fetal Blood* ; Fetal Development* ; Glucose ; Head ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Insulin ; Leptin* ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Parturition ; Placenta ; Platelet Count ; Testosterone ; Weights and Measures

A nationwide survey was conducted to investigate the annual occurrence rate of neonatal sepsis, maternal risk factor in neonatal sepsis, localized infection in neonate, causative organism in nosocomial infection and the most common causative organism in neonatal sepsis in Korea. Clinical and bacteriological data were collected from thirty seven neonatal units through retrospective review of the medical records of the newborn infants who were confirmed as neonatal sepsis by isolating organisms from blood culture during one year study period from January to December in 1997. 78,463 neonates were born at 37 hospital in 1997 and 20,869 neonates were admitted to the neonatal units. During this period, 772 episodes of neonatal sepsis were recorded in 517 neonates. The occurrence rate of neonatal sepsis was 0.73%(0~2.95%). Male to female ratio was 1.15:1 and 303 cases(42.1%) were born prematurely. The main pathogens of early onset sepsis were S. aureus(20%), S. epidermidis(14.4%) and coagulase negative Staphylococcus( 14.4%). Gram negative bacilli including Enterobacter spp (7.2%), E.coli(5.1%), Klepsiella(4.5%), Pseudomonas(3.7%) Enterobacter faecium(3.6%) constitute 24.1%. Only two cases of group B beta-hemolytic Streptococcus were isolated. Common obstetric factors were PROM(21.1%), difficulty delivery(18.7%), fetal tachycardia(5.3%), chorioamnionitis(4.9%), maternal fever(4.7%). The main pathogens of late-onset sepsis were S. aureus(22.3%), S. epidermidis(20.4%) and CONS(9.9%). There were 6 cases (1.0%) of Candida sepsis. Frequent focal infections accompanying sepsis were pneumonia(26.1%), urinary tract infection(10.5%), meningitis(8.2%), and arthritis(3.6%). S. epidermidis(22.0%) and S. aureus(21.7%) were also the most common pathogens in 373 nosocomial infection.
Candida ; Coagulase ; Cross Infection ; Enterobacter ; Female ; Focal Infection ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis* ; Streptococcus ; Urinary Tract

PURPOSE: Foreign body aspiration in the tracheobronchial tree is a common medical emergency in children and represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed to analyze the clinical spectrum of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children and to evaluate the causes of late diagnoses. METHODS: A total of 108 patients with foreign body aspiration were recruited in the last 10 years, who had a flexible or rigid bronchoscopic examination. The age, sex, symptoms, causes of aspiration, radiologic findings, and clinical courses were investigated retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the elapsed time from aspiration to a definite diagnosis as early (< or =24 hours after aspiration) and late diagnoses (>24 hours after aspiration). The two groups were compared for clinical courses, radiologic findings, and the duration of admission of early- and late-diagnosed foreign body aspiration. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of the patients were less than 24 months of age and the most common symptoms were the sudden onset of a cough. Hyperinflation or obstructive emphysema (52.8%) and normal chest radiographs (19.4%) were the most frequent radiologic findings. Plain chest radiographies revealed visible foreign bodies in 7.4% of all patients with foreign body aspiration. Nuts were the most common foreign bodies aspirated. Sudden onset of a persistent cough and fever were predominant in the late-diagnosed group.(P<0.05) CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that clinical suspicion upon interviewing is enough to indicate bronchoscopy. The best way to reduce the number of accidents and deaths associated with foreign body aspiration is to promote public prevention polices.
Bronchoscopy ; Child ; Cough ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis* ; Emergencies ; Emphysema ; Fever ; Foreign Bodies* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Nuts ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the distinguishing clinicoradiologic findings of traumatic tracheobronchial injury. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 2003 and December 2009, six patients who underwent surgical repair for traumatic tracheobronchial injury due to blunt trauma were included in this study. We evaluated the mechanism of the injury, the coexisting injuries, the time until the making diagnosis and treatment, the diagnostic methods, the anatomic location of the injury and the surgical outcomes. RESULT: The mechanisms of injury were traffic accident and crushing forces. The frequent symptoms were subcutaneous emphysema, dyspnea and pain, and the common radiologic findings were pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, rib fracture and lung contusion. Only 2 patients were diagnosed by chest CT and the others were not diagnosed preoperatively. The location of injury was the trachea in 2 patients and the bronchial tree in 4 patients. There was no postoperative mortality or anastomotic leak; however, vocal cord palsy occurred in one patient. The most distinguishing sign was persistent lung collapse even though the chest tube was connected with negative pressure. CONCLUSION: Although it was not easy to diagnose traumatic tracheobronchial injury without a clinical suspicion, the distinguishing clinical symptoms and CT findings could help to make an early diagnosis without performing bronchoscopy.
Accidents, Traffic ; Bronchoscopy ; Chest Tubes ; Contusions ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Pneumothorax ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Rib Fractures ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Thorax ; Trachea ; Vocal Cord Paralysis

PURPOSE: Developmental delay in congenital hypothyroidism can be prevented by early detection and treatment. We conducted a follow-up study to assess the growth and development of infants with congenital hypothyroidism who were detected by newborn screening test and received thyroid hormone therapy. METHODS: Nineteen hypothyroid infants were detected by newborn screening test from April 1995 to May 1997. Measurements of free T4 and TSH levels by radioimmunoassay were used as a screening test, and serum T4, T3, free T4, TSH, TBG levels were measured and radioisotope scan of thyroid gland were done for final diagnosis. Height and weight measurements, thyroid function test, and Bayley Scales of Infant Development(BSID II) were done during follow up. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 2.2 : 1. The etiologies of congenital hypothyroidism were dyshormonogenesis(7 cases), hypoplasia(6 cases), ectopic gland(5 cases), and aplasia(1 case). All but one infant revealed normal physical growth. Mild developmental delay was detected in five cases by BSID-II about ten months after thyroxine replacement. Two cases revealed mild delay in Mental Developmental Index and 2 cases showed mild delay in Psychomotor Developmental Index, only one case was delayed in both indices. There was a negative correlation between PDI and age of starting treatment(r=-0.505, P<0.05), and a positive correlation between free T4 at the time of diagnosis and MDI(r=0.472, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment were important for normal growth and development of hypothyroid infants, and Bayley developmental scale can be used for long term follow up.
Congenital Hypothyroidism* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Male ; Mass Screening* ; Radioimmunoassay ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroxine ; Weights and Measures

Acute malperfusion syndrome is a serious complication of acute aortic dissection. A 76-year-old female patient was admitted with acute type B aortic dissection and developed renal malperfusion during medical therapy. We are reporting a clinically successful result from the thoracic endovascular aortic repair used for malperfusion syndrome that occurred by acute type B aortic dissection.
Aged ; Aorta ; Female ; Humans ; Stents ; Transplants