Purpose: To report a nationwide survey on neuroblastoma conducted by the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) in 2020. Methods: The clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with and treated for neuroblastoma from 2005 to 2019 in 19 hospitals of KAPS members were collected. Survival and prognostic factor analyses were performed using the log rank test and Cox proportional hazard analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 669 patients with neuroblastoma were registered for the study. The results were presented and discussed at the 36th annual meeting of the KAPS, which was held in Seoul on August 21, 2020. Conclusion This study provides information on patient demographics, prognostic outcomes, and comprehensive treatment outcomes for neuroblastoma. The study is expected to be an important reference for improving pediatric surgeons’ understanding and treatment of neuroblastoma.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate and compare the incidence, demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, preoperative diagnostic methods, anatomical classifications, associated anomalies, operative treatments, and postoperative outcomes of patients with intestinal atresia treated by the members of the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) through three nationwide surveys. Methods: KAPS conducted 3 national surveys in 1998, 2010, and 2024 to examine the patients diagnosed with intestinal atresia. In preparation for the survey, we developed a customized case registration form to obtain data on patient sex, birth weight, gestational age, clinical manifestations, preoperative diagnostic methods, anatomical types, associated anomalies, operative treatments, and postoperative outcomes. Authorized KAPS members completed the case registration form. Results: The first, second, and third national surveys included 218, 222, and 236 individuals diagnosed with intestinal atresia, respectively. The male-to-female ratios were 1.5:1, 1.1:1, and 1.1:1, respectively. The first, second, and third national surveys revealed that 34.3%, 43.3%, and 53.4% of patients were born before 37 weeks of gestation, respectively. Additionally, 28.7%, 32.0%, and 40.7% of patients had a birth weight under 2,500 g. In the third national survey, duodenoduodenostomy was the most common procedure, performed in 70 out of 82 patients diagnosed with duodenal atresia. Resection and anastomosis were the main surgical procedures conducted in 47 out of 54 cases of jejunal atresia and 74 out of 92 cases of ileal atresia. The mortality rates in the first, second, and third national surveys were 13.8%, 3.6%, and 1.3% respectively, with the lowest rate observed in the third national survey. Conclusion These national surveys offer valuable insights into the current state of intestinal atresia, including specific surgical interventions and postoperative outcomes in South Korea. For pediatric surgeons aiming to enhance their understanding of intestinal atresia and its treatment options, these surveys could be an indispensable resource and guide.

Purpose: This study provides insights into the prevalence at birth, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of gastroschisis and omphalocele in Korea over the past decade, addressing the lack of localized data despite advanced healthcare capabilities. Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed data from 20 pediatric surgical centers in Korea from January 2012 to December 2021, including 269 patients diagnosed with gastroschisis or omphalocele. Data variables included gender, gestational age, birth weight, associated anomalies, type of defect, surgical interventions, and outcomes. Results: The study covered 269 patients, with 80 gastroschisis and 189 omphalocele cases. Gastroschisis prevalence at birth remained stable at 2.15 per 100,000 live births, while omphalocele increased to 5.08 per 100,000. Both conditions had similar gender ratios (0.95). Gastroschisis patients had lower birth weights (2,463.90±505.50 g) and smaller head circumferences (31.97±1.86 cm) compared to omphalocele patients (2,757.65±761.24 g, 32.78±2.64 cm). Omphalocele cases had more associated anomalies, especially cardiovascular issues. Prenatal diagnosis rates were high: 93.7% for gastroschisis and 86.4% for omphalocele. About 96.3% of gastroschisis and 84.1% of omphalocele patients were born in their treatment hospitals. Gastroschisis patients underwent surgery sooner (average 3.5 days) and started feeding later (16.5 days) than omphalocele patients (average 56.5 days to surgery, 6.6 days to start feeding). Hospital stays and follow-up durations were similar, averaging around 782.6 days for gastroschisis and 800.3 days for omphalocele patients. Survival rates were 89.7% for gastroschisis and 87.1% for omphalocele. Conclusion The study highlights the need for early diagnosis, centralized care, and specialized surgical approaches to optimize outcomes for gastroschisis and omphalocele patients in Korea. Enhanced prenatal screening and surgical protocols are recommended to improve these patients' prognosis.

PURPOSE: Hip adductor spasticity has a great impact on developing hip displacement in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Obturator nerve (ON) block is less invasive intervention rather than soft tissue surgery for reduction of hip adductor spasticity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ON block on hip lateralization in low functioning children with spastic CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed by retrospective investigation of the clinical and radiographic follow-up data of low functioning children [gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level III to V] with spastic cerebral palsy whose hip was subluxated. Migration percentage (MP) was measured on hip radiographs and its annual change was calculated. In intervention group, ON block was done with 50% ethyl alcohol under the guidance of electrical stimulation. RESULTS: The data of 49 legs of 25 children for intervention group and the data of 41 legs of 23 children for nonintervention group were collected. In intervention group, the MP were significantly reduced at 1st follow-up and the MPs at 2nd and last follow-up did not show significant differences from initial MP. Whereas in nonintervention group, the MPs at 1st, 2nd and last follow-up were all significantly increased compared to initial MPs. CONCLUSION: ON block with ethyl alcohol is useful as an early effective procedure against progressive hip displacement in these children with spastic CP.
Cerebral Palsy/*drug therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ethanol/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Spasticity/drug therapy ; Nerve Block/*methods ; Obturator Nerve/*drug effects ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Scabies is an old and common contagious skin disease. The incidence of scabies has decreased through the economic growth of Korea. However, recent outbreaks in medical facilities have created a suspicion that the infection of scabies is an emerging public health problem. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. This prospective study follows the retrospective study already performed by the same authors in 2011. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study of scabies was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 914 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. Microscopic examination revealed scabies mites or eggs, or clinical improvement after treatment. Patients were asked to provide information on scabies, especially regarding the contact source, and the physicians examined them. RESULTS: Of the participants, 432 patients were men and 482 were women. Patients aged younger than 10 years and 60~69 years were the most common groups. Scabies more commonly affected patients during the fall and winter. Of the patients, 68.0% were thought to be infected at their homes, followed by nursing homes or hospitals (25.7%), and 31.6% through contact with other patients or, occasionally, staff members, including caregivers. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that scabies is an emerging threat in institutions, especially medical facilities. In addition, we suggest that public and in-hospital education is essential to minimize the problems associated with scabies.
Caregivers ; Disease Outbreaks ; Economic Development ; Education ; Eggs ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mites ; Nursing Homes ; Ovum ; Prospective Studies* ; Public Health ; Scabies* ; Skin Diseases

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to describe hand function in relation with gross motor function and subtype of spastic cerebral palsy and to investigate the relationships among gross motor function, bimanual performance, unimanual capacity and upper limb functional measures in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected upper extremity data of 140 children with spastic CP. The Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) was used to assess gross motor function, Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) for bimanual performance, and Modified House Functional Classification (MHC) for the best capacity of each hand. Upper limb functions were evaluated by using the Upper Limb Physician's Rating Scale and Upper Extremity Rating Scale. RESULTS: There was a good correlation between GMFCS and MACS in children with bilateral CP, but the correlation was not strong in children with unilateral CP. No significant difference between GMFCS and MACS was found in children with bilateral CP, but children with unilateral CP scored higher on GMFCS than on MACS. A strong correlation was observed between MACS and MHC in children with bilateral CP, but not in children with unilateral CP. The upper limb functional measures in each hand were highly related with MACS and MHC in bilateral CP, but not in unilateral CP. CONCLUSION: Gross motor function, bimanual performance and the best capacity of each hand are closely related with each other in children with bilateral CP, but not in children with unilateral CP.
Cerebral Palsy/classification/*physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disability Evaluation ; Hand/*physiopathology ; Humans ; *Motor Skills ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology

BACKGROUND: Scabies is one of the common skin diseases observed in developing countries. The incidence of scabies has decreased dramatically since the late 1980s in Korea. However, recent outbreaks in nursing homes or hospitals have been raising public health concerns. OBJECTIVE: We intended to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. In particular, we tried to investigate the changing trend of contact sources in our society. METHODS: A multi-center cross sectional study was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 1,539 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. These patients showed scabies mites or eggs under microscopic examination, or clinical improvement after treatment. Their medical records with information of contact sources were reviewed. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-three patients were males and 826 were females. Patients' age from 70 to 79 was the most common followed by patients below 10 years of age. More patients were found in the fall and winter months. 66.7% of patients were thought to be infected at their homes which were situated next to nursing homes or hospitals (23.1%). Place of infection could not be verified in 39.3% of patients. 25.8% of patients were suggested to be infected through contact with medical staff or patients from hospitals or nursing homes. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the contact sources of scabies are changing in our society; nursing homes and hospitals are emerging sources of infection. The majority of patients are old or very young who are vulnerable to many diseases. Therefore, dermatologists should pay attention to new contact sources and appropriate care of patients.
Developing Countries ; Disease Outbreaks ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Medical Staff ; Mites ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Nursing Homes ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Ovum ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Scabies ; Skin Diseases

Isodicentric chromosome 15 [idic(15)] is a rare chromosomal abnormality that occurs due to inverted duplication of chromosome 15q. It is associated with many clinical findings such as early central hypotonia, developmental delay, cognitive dysfunction, autism spectrum disorders, and seizure. Delayed development is a common problem referred to pediatric rehabilitation clinics. A 9-month-old boy with delayed development was referred to our clinic for assessment and treatment. On chromosomal analysis, he was diagnosed as idic(15) syndrome with 47,XY,+idic(15)(q12) on karyotyping. Herein we describe his clinical manifestations and provide a brief review of the related literature.
Aneuploidy ; Child ; Autism Spectrum Disorder ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 ; Developmental Disabilities ; Karyotyping ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Seizures

OBJECTIVE: To determine reliability and clinical use of two methods of migration index (MI) in CP patients with or without hip dysplasia. METHOD: The materials included radiographs of 200 hips of children with cerebral palsy. Conventional anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis were taken with the child in the supine position with standardized methods. Two rehabilitation doctors measured the migration index using two methods. In the classic method, the lateral margin of the acetabular roof was used as a landmark and in the modified method the lateral margin of the sourcil was used as a landmark. Each rater measured the migration index at three separate times with a time interval of at least one week. Intraclass correlation (ICC) was used to test the inter- and intra-rater reliability. RESULTS: MI shows excellent intra-rater reliability in both the classic and modified methods, but the inter-rater reliability was higher in the classic method than in the modified method. When categorized according to the sourcil classification, inter-rater reliability was higher in the normal sourcil type and lower in the dysplastic sourcil types. CONCLUSION: Generally, the classic method showed higher reliability than the modified method, even though the reliability of the MI measurement was relatively high with both methods.
Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Hip ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Pelvis ; Supine Position

Prediction of malignancy or invasiveness of branch duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (Br-IPMN) is difficult, and proper treatment strategy has not been well established. The authors investigated the characteristics of Br-IPMN and explored its malignancy or invasiveness predicting factors to suggest a scoring formula for predicting pathologic results. From 1994 to 2008, 237 patients who were diagnosed as Br-IPMN at 11 tertiary referral centers in Korea were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' mean age was 63.1 +/- 9.2 yr. One hundred ninty-eight (83.5%) patients had nonmalignant IPMN (81 adenoma, 117 borderline atypia), and 39 (16.5%) had malignant IPMN (13 carcinoma in situ, 26 invasive carcinoma). Cyst size and mural nodule were malignancy determining factors by multivariate analysis. Elevated CEA, cyst size and mural nodule were factors determining invasiveness by multivariate analysis. Using the regression coefficient for significant predictors on multivariate analysis, we constructed a malignancy-predicting scoring formula: 22.4 (mural nodule [0 or 1]) + 0.5 (cyst size [mm]). In invasive IPMN, the formula was expressed as invasiveness-predicting score = 36.6 (mural nodule [0 or 1]) + 32.2 (elevated serum CEA [0 or 1]) + 0.6 (cyst size [mm]). Here we present a scoring formula for prediction of malignancy or invasiveness of Br-IPMN which can be used to determine a proper treatment strategy.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/*pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen/blood ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/*pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary/*pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*pathology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed