Background: Over the last decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in critically ill children has increased and is associated with favorable outcomes. Our study aims to evaluate the current status of pediatric ECMO in Korea, with a specific focus on its volume and changes in survival rates based on diagnostic indications. Methods: This multicenter study retrospectively analyzed the indications and outcomes of pediatric ECMO over 10 years in patients at 14 hospitals in Korea from January 2012 to December 2021. Four diagnostic categories (neonatal respiratory, pediatric respiratory, postcardiotomy, and cardiac-medical) and trends were compared between periods 1 (2012–2016) and 2 (2017–2021). Results: Overall, 1065 ECMO runs were performed on 1032 patients, with the annual number of cases remaining unchanged over the 10 years. ECMO was most frequently used for post-cardiotomy (42.4%), cardiac-medical (31.8%), pediatric respiratory (17.5%), and neonatal respiratory (8.2%) cases. A 3.7% increase and 6.1% decrease in pediatric respiratory and post-cardiotomy cases, respectively, were noted between periods 1 and 2.Among the four groups, the cardiac-medical group had the highest survival rate (51.2%), followed by the pediatric respiratory (46.4%), post-cardiotomy (36.5%), and neonatal respiratory (29.4%) groups. A consistent improvement was noted in patient survival over the 10 years, with a significant increase between the two periods from 38.2% to 47.1% (P = 0.004). Improvement in survival was evident in post-cardiotomy cases (30–45%, P = 0.002).Significant associations with mortality were observed in neonates, patients requiring dialysis, and those treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P < 0.001). In pediatric respiratory ECMO, immunocompromised patients also showed a significant correlation with mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusion Pediatric ECMO demonstrated a steady increase in overall survival in Korea;however, further efforts are needed since the outcomes remain suboptimal compared with global outcomes.

Live-born cases of partial trisomy 12q are rare, and only a few fetuses with this unbalanced translocation have survived to term. To our knowledge, only about 40 patients have been reported as having 12q duplication, and among them are no Korean reports. Here, we report the first Korean case of siblings with a 12q24.22q24.33 duplication. An 11-year-old boy visited our clinic for short stature. He was born small for his gestational age and had distinctive facial features, a history of surgery for anorectal malformation, psychomotor delay, intellectual disabilities, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He had an older sister with similar clinical features. The chromosomal microarray of the patient and his sister showed identical results: a 16.2 Mb duplication of 12q24.22q24.33. They had an identical cutoff point, but their symptoms were not. Symptoms common to both included growth retardation, psychomotor delay, intellectual disability, ADHD, and small for their gestational age.

The treatment of invasive infections caused by multidrug-resistant vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is challenging, particularly in pediatric patients with underlying medical conditions. Newer antibiotics used to treat VRE infections in pediatric patients are insufficiently studied. This report presents the case of a 6-month-old infant who underwent heart–lung transplantation and was successfully treated with a combination of daptomycin and tigecycline for recurrent VRE bacteremia shortly after the discontinuation of linezolid.

Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS) is defined as a sustained decrease in systolic blood pressure or signs of poor perfusion. Some children with KDSS are refractory to conventional therapy, such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). A 4-year-old boy with Kawasaki disease was referred to the emergency department. Despite the conventional therapy, his vital signs and cardiac function worsened. The boy promptly underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which did not relieve the symptoms. Subsequently, he underwent methylprednisolone pulse therapy and the second cycle of IVIG therapy. Two days after the start of a combination of ECMO, steroids, and IVIG started, his clinical condition was stabilized, and finally, ECMO was removed. This case highlights the combination of ECMO, steroids, and IVIG as a treatment option for children with IVIG-resistant KDSS.

Purpose: The importance of breastfeeding is well known. Socioeconomic status is one of the factors affecting breastfeeding. We investigated the association between breastfeeding and parental socioeconomic status to help design future breastfeeding promotion projects. Methods: Data on demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status of parents of 1,220 children aged under 60months were extracted from the 2013–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results: Some socioeconomic factors were associated with breastfeeding. Maternal factors such as education level (≥13 years: odds ratio [OR], 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–6.42), middle high income level (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.18–4.49), no smoking status (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.28–7.36) and body mass index (BMI) (<25 kg/m2 : OR, 1.82; 95%CI, 1.12–2.95) were associated with breastfeeding (p<0.05). In addition, paternal factors such as age (30s: OR, 4.88; 95%CI, 1.82–13.04) and education level (≥13 years: OR, 7.94; 95% CI, 3.12–20.18) were associated with breastfeeding (p<0.05). After controlling for confounding factors, mother’s BMI, father’s age, and father’s educational level were found to be statistically significant predictors of breastfeeding. Conclusion This study demonstrated that some parental socioeconomic factors were associated with breastfeeding in Korea.

Background: Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is widespread among intensive care units worldwide, posing a threat to patients and the health system. We describe the successful management of a MDRAB outbreak by implementing an infection-control strategy in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: This retrospective study investigated the patients admitted to the PICU in periods 1 (8 months) and 2 (7 months), from the index MDRAB case to intervention implementation, and from intervention implementation to cessation of MDRAB spread. An infection-control strategy was designed following six concepts: 1) cohort isolation of colonized patients, 2) enforcement of hand hygiene, 3) universal contact precautions, 4) environmental management, 5) periodic surveillance culture study, and 6) monitoring and feedback. Results: Of the 427 patients, 29 were confirmed to have MDRAB colonization, of which 18 had MDRAB infections. Overall incidence per 1,000 patient days decreased from 7.8 (period 1) to 5.8 (period 2). The MDRAB outbreak was declared terminated after the 6-month followup following period 2. MDRAB was detected on the computer keyboard and in condensed water inside the ventilator circuits. The rate of hand hygiene performance was the lowest in the three months before and after index case admission and increased from 84% (period 1) to 95% (period 2). Patients with higher severity, indicated by a higher Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score, were more likely to develop colonization (P = 0.030), because they had invasive devices and required more contact with healthcare workers. MDRAB colonization contributed to an increase in the duration of mechanical ventilation and PICU stay (P < 0.001), but did not affect mortality (P = 0.273). Conclusion The MDRAB outbreak was successfully terminated by the implementation of a comprehensive infection-control strategy focused on the promotion of hand hygiene, universal contact precautions, and environmental management through multidisciplinary teamwork.

An important, albeit rare, cause of fetal bradycardia is long QT syndrome (LQTS). Congenital LQTS is an ion channelopathy caused by mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channel proteins. Fetal onset of LQTS imposes high risk of life-threatening tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Here, we report the case of a female newborn with fetal onset of bradycardia and a 2:1 atrioventricular (AV) block. After birth, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed bradycardia with QT prolongation of a corrected QT (QTc) interval of 680 ms and pseudo 2:1 AV block. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous Gly402Ser (c.1204G>A) mutation in CACNA1C, confirming the diagnosis of LQTS type 8 (LQT8). The patient received propranolol at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg. Mexiletine was subsequently administered owing to the sustained prolongation of the QT interval and pseudo 2:1 AV block. One week after mexiletine inception, the ECG still showed QT interval prolongation (QTc, 632 ms), but no AV block was observed. There were no life-threatening tachyarrhythmias in a follow-up period of 13 months.

An important, albeit rare, cause of fetal bradycardia is long QT syndrome (LQTS). Congenital LQTS is an ion channelopathy caused by mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channel proteins. Fetal onset of LQTS imposes high risk of life-threatening tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Here, we report the case of a female newborn with fetal onset of bradycardia and a 2:1 atrioventricular (AV) block. After birth, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed bradycardia with QT prolongation of a corrected QT (QTc) interval of 680 ms and pseudo 2:1 AV block. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous Gly402Ser (c.1204G>A) mutation in CACNA1C, confirming the diagnosis of LQTS type 8 (LQT8). The patient received propranolol at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg. Mexiletine was subsequently administered owing to the sustained prolongation of the QT interval and pseudo 2:1 AV block. One week after mexiletine inception, the ECG still showed QT interval prolongation (QTc, 632 ms), but no AV block was observed. There were no life-threatening tachyarrhythmias in a follow-up period of 13 months.

To treat congenital heart disease, it is important to understand the anatomical structure correctly. Three-dimensional (3D) printed models of the heart effectively demonstrate the structural features of congenital heart disease. Occasionally, the exact characteristics of complex cardiac malformations are difficult to identify on conventional computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography, and the use of 3D printed models can help overcome their limitations. Recently, 3D printed models have been used for congenital heart disease education, preoperative simulation, and decision-making processes. In addition, we will pave the way for the development of this technology in the future and discuss various aspects of its use, such as the development of surgical techniques and training of cardiac surgeons.