OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated whether different methods of conization of the cervix were associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in subsequent pregnancy. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The study group included women who had undergone cold knife conization (n=170) or a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) (n=86) and then had subsequent singleton pregnancies. The control group (n=497) included women with no history of cervical surgery. The outcomes were spontaneous preterm delivery and various neonatal outcomes such as low birth weight (LBW) and perinatal mortality. RESULTS: Cold knife conization was associated with a significantly increased risk of preterm delivery less than 34 weeks (relative risk 4.9, 95% confidence interval 1.6-15.1), preterm delivery less than 28 weeks (7.6, 15-39.6), LBW (2.6, 1.2-5.8), and perinatal mortality (11.9, 1.3-107.6). LEEP was not associated with a increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: Cold knife cone biopsy, but not LEEP of the cervix, is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery less than 34 weeks of gestation and adverse neonatal outcomes. Clinicians counsel women appropriately before conservative treatment of cervical intraepithelial lesions.
Biopsy ; Case-Control Studies ; Cervix Uteri ; Cold Temperature ; Conization ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Perinatal Mortality ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Premature Birth ; Retrospective Studies

Four trials of external quality assessment in diagnostic hematology were performed in 2008 with average 822 participating laboratories in Korea. We performed quality assessment for white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, platelet count, blood cell morphology, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. The response rate was more than 96.5%. The coefficients of variation in hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC was stable but variable in platelet count and WBC count according to measuring cell count. Test results of blood cell morphology showed variation among various cell morphologies.
Blood Cells ; Cell Count ; Erythrocyte Count ; Hematocrit ; Hematology ; Hemoglobins ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time

PURPOSE: Ibuprofen is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for treating fever and pain including headache, arthralgia, and back pain. There is scarce information on the safety of ibuprofen associated with fetal anomaly when used early in pregnancy. Epidemiology studies have suggested that use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, during pregnancy may increase the risk of cardiac defects and gastroschisis. The aim of the study was to evaluate fetal outcomes among pregnant women who were unintentionally exposed to ibuprofen in early pregnancy. METHODS: Total 381 pregnant women who were unintentionally exposed to ibuprofen during early pregnancy were prospectively followed up. In addition, 643 age and gravity matched pregnant women not exposed to any potential teratogenic agent during pregnancy were recruited as controls. Patients were followed-up until delivery or loss to follow-up. Newborns were examined in order to identify any major congenital malformation. RESULTS: Mean age of exposed women was 31.2+/-3.4 years, with a mean number of previous pregnancies of 2.3+/-1.2 and mean gestational weeks at exposure of 4.4+/-2.2. All gestations were confirmed by ultrasonography. Of exposed women, 17 (5.6%) had spontaneous abortions, 16 were on- going pregnancies, 1 had an intra-uterine fetal death, 21 artificial abortion and 55 cases were lost to follow-up. Therefore, 271 pregnancies unintentionally exposed to ibuprofen were evaluated, each delivering a singleton baby. Three babies had congenital anomalies: one had unilateral hydronephrosis, another baby was born with a unilateral inguinal hernia. The last baby was born with unilateral kidney dysplasia with megaureter. In the control group, 6 babies were born with major malformations [1.11% vs. 1.31% (P=0.552, OR: 0.841, 95% CI: 0.2 to 3.4)]. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that the ibuprofen may not be a major human teratogen.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Arthralgia ; Back Pain ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroschisis ; Gravitation ; Headache ; Hernia, Inguinal ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Ibuprofen ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnant Women ; Prospective Studies

Four trials of external quality assessment in diagnostic hematology were performed in 2007 with average 722 participating laboratories in Korea. We performed quality assessment for white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, platelet count, blood cell morphology, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. The response rate was more than 95.2%. The coefficients of variation in hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC were stable but variable in platelet count and WBC count according to measuring cell counters. Test results of blood cell morphology showed variation among various cell morphologies.
Blood Cells ; Cell Count ; Erythrocyte Count ; Hematocrit ; Hematology ; Hemoglobins ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time

Four trials of external quality assessment in diagnostic hematology were performed in 2007 with average 722 participating laboratories in Korea. We performed quality assessment for white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, platelet count, blood cell morphology, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. The response rate was more than 95.2%. The coefficients of variation in hemoglobin, hematocrit and RBC were stable but variable in platelet count and WBC count according to measuring cell counters. Test results of blood cell morphology showed variation among various cell morphologies.
Blood Cells ; Cell Count ; Erythrocyte Count ; Hematocrit ; Hematology ; Hemoglobins ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Platelet Count ; Prothrombin Time

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have identified that physical activity influences decrements of both mortality and morbidity. Besides these objective indices, positive influences of physical activity on individuals' lives are being studied upon various populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of physical activity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in relatively healthy adults of Korea. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent by mail to one thousand examinees who were scheduled for health check-up. We analyzed data from 214 men and 195 women. The physical activities were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaraire (IPAQ)-short form and the HRQOL was assessed by the CMCHS ver 1.0. The subjects were separated by gender and into either a recommended level of physical activity group or a lower physical activity group according to the physical activity scale. RESULTS: The group with physical activity beyond the recommended level had better HRQOL measures than those who did not. After revising the factors that affected the HRQOL, cognition of present heath status, satisfaction for health status, bodily pain, physical function, emotional function, social function and general health measure scores were significantly higher in the female group with physical activity beyond recommended quantity than those who did not. However, there were no statical significance in the male group. CONCLUSION: Physical activity was associated with health related quality of life in middle aged women.
Adult ; Cognition ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Motor Activity* ; Postal Service ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Four trials of external quality assessment in diagnostic hematology were performed in 2005 with about 500 participating laboratories in Korea. We performed quality assessment for white blood cell count, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, platelet count, white cell differential count, red blood cell morphology. The response rate was more than 97%. The coefficients of variation in hemoglobin and RBC number was stable but variable in platelet number and WBC number according to measuring cell counts. Test results showed wide variation according to measuring machine and reagents.
Cell Count ; Erythrocyte Count ; Erythrocytes ; Hematology* ; Indicators and Reagents ; Korea* ; Leukocyte Count ; Platelet Count

Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is a well accepted and effective treatment for massive and recurrent hemoptysis. However, several complications of BAE have been reported. Cortical blindness is defined as a loss of vision caused by bilateral occipital lobe lesions with normal pupillary light reflexes and a normal fundus. The reported incidence of transient cortical blindness (TCB) after cerebrovertebral angiography is approximately 1%. Two cases of TCB after BAE were found from a Medline search. Here, we report another case of TCB who was treated with BAE for a massive hemoptysis.
Incidence

Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is a well accepted and effective treatment for massive and recurrent hemoptysis. However, several complications of BAE have been reported. Cortical blindness is defined as a loss of vision caused by bilateral occipital lobe lesions with normal pupillary light reflexes and a normal fundus. The reported incidence of transient cortical blindness (TCB) after cerebrovertebral angiography is approximately 1%. Two cases of TCB after BAE were found from a Medline search. Here, we report another case of TCB who was treated with BAE for a massive hemoptysis.
Incidence

PURPOSE: Foreign bodies in the airway of infant and children require prompt diagnosis and removal. To evaluate the pattern of clinical characteristics and disease course, we reviewed and analyzed a 6-year experience with pediatric airway foreign bodies in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric foreign body aspiration managed by pediatric and otorhinolaryngologic departments of Ajou University Hospital from November 1994 to October 2000. Nineteen cases of aspiration were collected and we analyzed their age, sex, symptoms, duration between onset of symptoms and diagnosis, initial simple radiographic findings, matierials of aspirations, anatomic location of foreign body, length of hospital day, and complications. RESULTS: The mean age was 2.7 years and male-to-female ratio of 1.8 : 1. In 11 cases, choking episode was identified by parents or patients. The correct diagnosis was made within first 24 hours of aspiration in 4 patients; while in 15 cases, the proper diagnosis was done after 24 hours. The most common presenting symptoms were cough (73.6%) and decreased breath sounds (57.9%) and the most common initial finding of simple radiographs was emphysema, presented in 68.4% of patients. Vegetable substances, particularly peanuts were the most common material of identified foreign body. Nine foreign bodies were in the right bronchus, 8 in the left bronchus and 2 in the subglottic area. The mean duration of admissions were 3.75 days in pateints who were diagnosed within 24 hours, however, 8.61 days in those with a delayed diagnosis (P=0.012). CONCLUSION: Taken together, the majority of accidental foreign body aspiration in airway was found under 3-year of age. Pediatricians and parents should be conscious to check for history of foreign body aspiration who have suspicious clinical features of aspiration, for early diagnosis and proper management without complications and long term morbidity.
Airway Obstruction ; Arachis ; Aspirations (Psychology) ; Bronchi ; Child* ; Cough ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Emphysema ; Foreign Bodies* ; Humans ; Infant ; Medical Records ; Parents ; Retrospective Studies ; Vegetables