PURPOSE: We present our experience of 14 neonates with cerebellar hemorrhage and describe the clinical characteristics and the neurodevelopmental outcomes. METHODS: Fourteen neonates were identified as having cerebellar hemorrhage, based on the brain MRI findings at the two university hospitals from January 2007 to July 2011. Twelve preterm infants with the brain MRI taken before the discharge, and 2 term infants having taken the brain MRI with birth asphyxia were enrolled. The electronic medical records of the infants were reviewed. RESULTS: Ten (71.4%) infants were found to have multifocal or lobar cerebellar hemorrhage involving both hemispheres. Three infants had unilateral lesions in the right hemisphere, and one infant had a left hemisphere lesion. Six infants (42%) had co-existing high grade IVH (> or =grade III); 6 infants (42%) had periventricular leukomalacia (PVL); and 6 infants (42%) had posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). After discharge, 12 infants (85.7%) were followed at the outpatient clinics for at least 6 months. Two out of 9 infants (22.2%) with other neurological co-morbidities (IVH> or =grade III, PVL, or PHH) had cerebral palsy, and 5 infants (55.6%) had developmental delay assessed by the Bayley scales. None of the infants without other neurological co-morbidities had cerebral palsy or developmental delay. CONCLUSION: Neonatal cerebellar hemorrhage is often diagnosed incidentally on the brain MRI in the preterm infants. If there is no concomitant high-grade IVH, PVL or PHH, cerebellar hemorrhage seems to hardly accompany its own specific symptoms, and the neurodevelopmental outcomes seem to be favorable as well. However, further long-term, large scale studies are necessary.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Asphyxia ; Brain ; Cerebral Palsy ; Electronic Health Records ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Parturition ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to compare the incidences of the neonatal morbidity, using the various criteria of histologic chorioamnionitis (HC) in the extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs), who were born before the 28 weeks of gestational age. METHODS: Sixty two ELGANs who were born and admitted to the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from 2007 to 2011 were included. A total of seven criteria of HC were made according to the site within the placenta and the extent of the neutrophil infiltration. The incidence of the major neonatal morbiditiy was compared between the HC-exposed and the HC-unexposed ELGANs according to each criterion of HC. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the birth weight, gestational age, and sex between the HC-exposed and the HC-unexposed ELGANs by any criteria. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was significantly lower in the HC-exposed ELGANs only in the criterion of any extent of the umbilical cord inflammation (funisitis). The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was significantly higher in the HC-exposed ELGANs in the criterion of any extent of amnionitis or funisitis. The incidences of other major morbidities did not differ between the HC-exposed and the HC-unexposed ELGANs by any criteria. CONCLUSION: The presence of funisitis reflected the lung maturation effect of chorioamnionitis, as indicated by the decreased incidence of RDS. Among other major neonatal morbidities, only ROP was significantly associated with HC. The ROP occurred more frequently in the funisitis or amnionitis-exposed ELGANs.
Amnion ; Birth Weight ; Chorioamnionitis ; Diterpenes ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Inflammation ; Lung ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Umbilical Cord

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Outdoor air pollution is an important risk factor for developing asthma and acute exacerbation. Although some epidemiologic studies have shown that increased levels of air pollutants are linked with acute exacerbations of asthma, few have estimated the effects of individual air pollutant on the exacerbation of asthma in adult patients in Korea. METHODS: We evaluated the relative risk of acute exacerbation of asthma due to an increase in air pollutant levels. We enrolled patients with asthma who were living in Seoul, and who had visited the emergency department (ED) of three University Hospitals in Seoul, Korea, for aggravated asthmatic symptoms over 12 months. The daily average levels of air pollutants were retrieved from data collected by routine monitoring for gaseous air pollutants (sulfur dioxide [SO2], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], ozone [O3], carbon monoxide [CO]) and for airborne particles less than or equal to 10 micrometer in diameter (PM10)]. A case-crossover analysis was performed using levels of air pollutants at 2 weeks before and after ED visits of controls. RESULTS: For the 1 year study period, 297 ED visits were made by 237 adult patients with asthma. There were no significant increases in the relative risk for ED visits for air pollutants including SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and PM10. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there was no significant impact of air pollution on ED visits for acute exacerbation of asthma in adult patients living in Seoul. Further large scale studies are needed to confirm the effects of these air pollutants on the exacerbation of asthma.
Adult ; Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution ; Asthma ; Carbon Monoxide ; Emergencies ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Korea ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; Ozone ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: Small bowel series (SBS) may be a useful test in identifying the causes of feeding intolerance in preterm infants. Unfortunately, little is known about the safety and effectiveness of SBS in preterm infants. By scrutinizing our recent experiences in performing SBS in preterm infants, we aim to provide basic data concerning the use of SBS in preterm infants with feeding intolerance. METHODS: Between January 2005 and October 2008, SBS was done in 46 preterm infants with feeding intolerance, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Seoul national university children's hospital. We conducted a retrospective analysis of these preterm infants. RESULTS: The average gestational age and birth weight of the 46 infants were, 30(+1)+/-3(+5) weeks, 1,435+/-623 g, respectively. The mean postconceptional age when SBS was done, was 37(+2)+/-4(+2) weeks, 46.8+/-27.3days. SBS proved that 29 infants did not have mechanical obstructions and 22 of these infants had delayed bowel transit time. Eventually, 35 infants attained full feeding except those who underwent operation. SBS was done at their bedside in 15 out of 27 infants in the group less than 1.5 kg. History of NEC, meconium related ileus, and gastrointestinal operation were more frequent in the group less than 1.5 kg. The adverse effects of SBS in preterm infants included vomiting, delayed transit of the contrast media, all of which resolved in the end and there were no reports of aspiration or sepsis. CONCLUSION: Actively performing SBS test in preterm infants with feeding intolerance will promote feeding advancement by discovering the cause of feeding intolerance and subsequent management of the specific problem.
Birth Weight ; Contrast Media ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Ileus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Meconium ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Vomiting

In the present study, we investigated whether and how the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone affects cardiac growth and development through apoptosis and cell proliferation in the neonatal rat heart. Newborn rat pups were treated with spironolactone (200 mg/kg/d) for 7 days. The cell proliferation was studied by PCNA immunostaining. The treatment with spironolactone decreased proliferating myocytes by 32% (P<0.05), and reduced myocytes apoptosis by 29% (P<0.05). Immunoblot and immunohistochemistry for the expression of p38, p53, clusterin, TGF-beta2, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase were performed. In the spironolactone group, p38, p53, clusterin, and TGF-beta2 protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). These results indicate that aldosterone inhibition in the developing rat heart induces cardiac growth impairment by decreasing proliferation and apoptosis of myocytes.
Aldosterone Antagonists/*pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; *Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Clusterin/genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Heart/*drug effects/growth & development ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spironolactone/*pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2/genetics/metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics/metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics/metabolism

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the current use of dexamethasone rescue therapy (DRT) for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 251 BPD patients managed in the neonatal intensive care units at Seoul National University Childrens Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between March 2004 and August 2008. The demographic data and clinical characteristics of the mothers and infants were analyzed. The infants were compared based on DRT responsiveness. The DRT complications were investigated. RESLUTS: Ninety-three patients (37.1%) were classified with severe BPD, DRT was only given to patients with severe BPD. Dexamethasone was administered to 24 patients (9.6%) whose respiratory status had precluded extubation, which indicated that conventional BPD management had failed. Fourteen patients (58.3%) who received DRT were responsive. DRT non-responders required more oxygenation and more complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Responder had shorter length's of hospitalization and lower mortality rates. High dose dexamethasone was no more effective in weaning neonates from the ventilatior than low dose dexamethasone. Sepsis was the most common complication of DRT. CONCLUSION: DRT is a valuable treatment for severe BPD ahead of PAH development. DRT should not be performed in BPD patients with PAH due to the possibility of complications.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Child ; Dexamethasone ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Mothers ; Oxygen ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Weaning

A chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) in the thorax is a rare and specific condition of chronic empyema. CEHs in the thorax are often associated with tuberculosis and/or previous surgical procedures. While the incidental detection of a pleural mass and dyspnea are common clinical manifestations, a few cases present with hemoptysis. We encountered a case of CEH in the thorax. This case is unique in that it developed without a prior history of tuberculosis or surgery and presented with massive hemoptysis accompanied by bronchopleural fistula. We report the third case of CEH in the thorax in Korea with a summary of the clinical characteristics of previous cases.
Dyspnea ; Empyema ; Fistula ; Hematoma ; Hemoptysis ; Korea ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis

PURPOSE: Hook nail deformity is caused by inadequately supported nail bed due to loss of distal phalanx or lack of soft tissue, resulting in a claw-like nail form. A composite graft from the foot bencath the nail bed gives adequate restoration of tip pulp. METHODS: From September of 1999 to March of 2004, six patients were treated for hook nail deformity and monitored for long term follow up. Donor sites were the lateral side of the big toe or instep area of the foot. We examined cosmetic appearance and nail hooking and sensory test. The curved nail was measured by the picture of before and after surgery. RESULTS: In all cases, composite grafts were well taken, and hook nail deformities were corrected. The curved nail of the 4 patients after surgery were improved to average 28.7 degrees from average 55.2 degrees before surgery. The static two point discrimination average was 6.5mm and the moving two point discrimination average was 5.8mm in the sensory test. CONCLUSION: Composite graft taken from foot supports the nail bed with the tissue closely resembling the fingertip tissue, making it possible for anatomical and histological rebuilding of fingertip.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Tissue Donors ; Toes ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: For the first time, a nationwide survey in the Republic of Korea was conducted to determine the basic parameters for the treatment of esophageal cancer and to offer a solid cooperative system for the Korean Pattern of Care Study database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 1998~1999, biopsy-confirmed 246 esophageal cancer patients that received radiotherapy were enrolled from 23 different institutions in South Korea. Random sampling was based on power allocation method. Patient parameters and specific information regarding tumor characteristics and treatment methods were collected and registered through the web based PCS system. The data was analyzed by the use of the Chi-squared test. RESULTS: The median age of the collected patients was 62 years. The male to female ratio was about 91 to 9 with an absolute male predominance. The performance status ranged from ECOG 0 to 1 in 82.5% of the patients. Diagnostic procedures included an esophagogram (228 patients, 92.7%), endoscopy (226 patients, 91.9%), and a chest CT scan (238 patients, 96.7%). Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 96.3% of the patients; mid-thoracic esophageal cancer was most prevalent (110 patients, 44.7%) and 135 patients presented with clinical stage III disease. Fifty seven patients received radiotherapy alone and 37 patients received surgery with adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy. Half of the patients (123 patients) received chemotherapy together with RT and 70 patients (56.9%) received it as concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent was a combination of cisplatin and 5-FU. Most patients received radiotherapy either with 6 MV (116 patients, 47.2%) or with 10 MV photons (87 patients, 35.4%). Radiotherapy was delivered through a conventional AP-PA field for 206 patients (83.7%) without using a CT plan and the median delivered dose was 3,600 cGy. The median total dose of postoperative radiotherapy was 5,040 cGy while for the non-operative patients the median total dose was 5,970 cGy. Thirty-four patients received intraluminal brachytherapy with high dose rate Iridium-192. Brachytherapy was delivered with a median dose of 300 cGy in each fraction and was typically delivered 3~4 times. The most frequently encountered complication during the radiotherapy treatment was esophagitis in 155 patients (63.0%). CONCLUSION: For the evaluation and treatment of esophageal cancer patients at radiation facilities in Korea, this study will provide guidelines and benchmark data for the solid cooperative systems of the Korean PCS. Although some differences were noted between institutions, there was no major difference in the treatment modalities and RT techniques.
Brachytherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Esophagitis ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Photons ; Radiotherapy ; Republic of Korea ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: As the traditional treatment of the Wassel's type I or II of bifid thumb, Bilhaut-Cloquet, has always been the standard method despite several disadvantages such as tearing of the finger nail, injuries of the growth plate, joint instability, and long visible scarring. To overcome these drawbacks, we applied a modified Bilhaut-Cloquet Method. METHODS: The subjects used for the this study were 10 of 20 patients evaluated. The patients underwent modified methods under every type of Wassel's classification. We designed a central wedge Zig-Zag incision and removed the nail and bony tissues in the remaining digit, but not soft tissue if possible, and transferred the ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue to the remaining thumb from the extra digit. We evaluated the patients' lack of extension, the total ROM of the MP and IP joints, the ROM of IP joints, and the lateral deviations of the reconstructed thumb. RESULTS: The results were encouraging, with all patients showing a good functional and aesthetic outcome. CONCLUSION: The modified method proved a very effective procedure in the treatment of bifid thumb in all types, especially types I or II.
Cicatrix ; Classification ; Fingers ; Growth Plate ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Polydactyly ; Tendons ; Thumb*