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Editorial
Immunology
Importance of neonatal screening for primary immunodeficiencies
Jung Woo Rhim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(10):519-520.   Published online May 4, 2021
· Early detection of asymptomatic infants with primary immunodeficiencies before the onset of infections enables effective treatment and intervention to prevent serious sequelae.
· T-cell receptor excision circles and kappa-deleting recombination excision circles have recently been used to detect T- or B-cell lymphopenia in neonates.
Gastroenterology
Does smartphone overuse affect functional gastrointestinal disorders?
Jee Hyun Lee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(9):471-472.   Published online December 28, 2020
Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common disorders characterized by persistent and recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms. Pathophysiological mechanisms have been suggested, including intestinal microbiota, altered intestinal permeability and motility, dietary effects, sensory abnormalities, and brain-gut dysregulation. Lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep, affect, and physical activity might function as moderators.
Nutrition
Advantages and limitations of using national survey datasets in child and adolescent research
Yoon Lee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(9):468-470.   Published online January 26, 2021
The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey are major nationwide health and nutrition surveys in Korea. Although these surveys have some limitations of cross-sectional sample surveys, the accumulated data are valuable and provide new prospects for understanding public health depending on the interpretation method.
Nephrology (Genitourinary)
Pulmonary thromboembolism: a rare but life-threatening complication of nephrotic syndrome
Heeyeon Cho
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(8):406-407.   Published online February 4, 2021
Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is often diagnosed in children with nephrotic syndrome. Massive PTE can cause hemodynamic instability, right ventricular failure, and circulatory collapse. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be used for massive PTE as a method of hemodynamic support and adjunct to surgical embolectomy.
Neurology
Recent trends in autism spectrum disorder research using text mining of PubMed: importance of early detection
Seung Soo Kim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(7):339-340.   Published online November 9, 2020
Behavioral therapy, the most widely proven intervention for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is required for life for individuals with ASD. Parent involvement, early detection, and early therapy play important roles. We must organize the risk factors for ASD and develop a screening tool that can be easily applied in the clinical, daycare, or school setting.
Infection
Should we prescribe carbapenem for treating febrile urinary tract infection caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in children with vesicoureteral reflux?
Ji Young Park
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(6):284-285.   Published online January 5, 2021
Recent studies are focused on the noninferiority of noncarbapenem therapy for the treatment of extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae infections to reduce the utilization of carbapenem.
Neurology
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures; beyond differentiating from epileptic seizures
Sang Ook Nam
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(6):282-283.   Published online November 12, 2020
Infection
Babies born to mothers positive for SARS-CoV-2 – Are they in danger?
Joon Kee Lee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(6):280-281.   Published online May 4, 2021
Concerns have arisen in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic upon pregnancy and postnatal care starting from reproductive decision-making. To the utmost knowledge, reproductive decisions should not be based primarily on health-related COVID-19 concerns, as the possibility of vertical transmission is negligible and the perinatal outcome is generally not poor compared to pregnancies without COVID-19, as long as infection control measures are well kept.
Cardiology
When should mechanical circulatory support be considered in pediatric patients with acute fulminant myocarditis?
Hye Won Kwon
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(5):227-228.   Published online September 22, 2020
Acute fulminant myocarditis is an uncommon syndrome characterized by sudden and severe cardiac inflammation, which leads to cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmia, heart blocks, or multiorgan failure. Despite aggressive clinical course, patients with acute fulminant myocarditis have better outcomes than those with the nonfulminant type when appropriately supported during the acute phase of the disease. Therefore, early recognition of deteriorating myocarditis and timely mechanical circulatory support are crucial to improve outcomes.
Other
Is multisystem inflammatory syndrome related with coronavirus disease 2019, Kawasaki disease, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in children?
Lucy Youngmin Eun
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(5):225-226.   Published online March 5, 2021
With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, it is important to consider why Kawasaki disease (KD) is prevalent in young children and its symptoms are similar to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in older children. We hypothesized that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression may be related. In fact, this may be an answer why COVID-19 occurs less frequently in children with lower ACE2 expression.
Allergy
Targeting eosinophils: another strategy for asthma treatment
Hye Mi Jee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(5):223-224.   Published online March 5, 2021
Identifying phenotypes and endotypes of asthma patients is challenging, and eosinophilic phenotypes are generally characterized by severe or refractory asthma.
Biologicals targeting eosinophils are promising for the control of severe or refractory asthma symptoms.
To ensure proper treatment, increased understanding of the diverse phenotypes of high Th2 inflammation in pediatric asthma is needed.
Neonatology (Perinatology)
Which factors predict outcomes of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy following therapeutic hypothermia?
Gyu Hong Shim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(4):169-171.   Published online December 11, 2020
Determining the therapeutic hypothermia and predict long-term prognosis quickly and accurately in infants with moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy requires a thorough history taking, physical examination, amplitude-integrated electroencephalography, brain magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, heart evaluation (cardiac enzymes, electrocardiography, and echocardiography), and several other biomarkers.
Genetics and Metabolism
Improving the lives of children with neurofibromatosis type 1
Yoo-Mi Kim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(4):165-166.   Published online September 18, 2020
· The early diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) could be supported by molecular testing in sporadic NF1 patients and would benefit their health.
· The well-planned surveillance and introduction of newly developed drugs targeting molecular pathways could improve the lives of pediatric NF1 patients.
Nephrology (Genitourinary)
Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system during fetal kidney development
Eujin Park
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(3):121-122.   Published online September 22, 2020
· Fetal exposure to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors leads to short- and long-term kidney complications.
· Women of reproductive age who are absolutely indicated for RAS inhibitors should be adequately informed of the risks for the duration of treatment.
Infection
Catheter care bundle and feedback to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric patients
Hye-Kyung Cho
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(3):119-120.   Published online December 8, 2020
• Intravascular catheter-related infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children, and care bundles are effective and cost-saving in pediatric and neonatal patients.
• Providing regular feedbacks to critical care practitioners is helpful to maintain compliance to care bundle.
• Establishing a bundle policy (insertion and maintenance), monitoring compliance, and providing regular feedbacks are necessary for prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric patients.
Other
Is correcting exposure misclassification bias an additional option in meta-analyses?
Ki Eun Kim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(3):117-118.   Published online January 14, 2021
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses examine various existing research results. Such studies are conducted according to a technically determined algorithm to minimize errors. It is particularly important to understand basic analytical methods such as the fixed-effect and random-effects models and apply appropriate statistical techniques to verify interstudy heterogeneity. A design that eliminates possible bias from the early stages of the research in a step-by-step manner is required whenever possible.
Hematology
Time to pay attention to anemia in female adolescents
Jae Min Lee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(2):78-79.   Published online February 1, 2021
Cardiology
Where should we start to improve pediatric heart transplantation outcomes?
Jinyoung Song
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(2):76-77.   Published online November 25, 2020
· Pediatric heart transplantation is achieving better outcomes.
· The waitlist mortality is still high, especially in Korea, and should be reduced.
· The use of ventricular assist device is promising and might offer improved waitlist mortality rates.
Neonatology (Perinatology)
Neutrophil CD11b as a promising marker for early detection of neonatal sepsis
Ju Sun Heo
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(1):28-30.   Published online September 1, 2020
· Neonatal sepsis is a global problem and significant cause of neonatal mortality and adverse short- and long-term outcomes.
· Due to severe limitations diagnosing neonatal sepsis, there is a critical need to identify reliable specific biomarkers for early detection.
· nCD11b might be an accurate and rapid biomarker for the early detection of neonatal sepsis.
General Pediatrics
Why should we be concerned about early menarche?
Hae Sang Lee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021;64(1):26-27.   Published online July 13, 2020
· Early menarche is associated with several health problems in later life.
· Early menarche can be caused by environmental factors such as increased subcutaneous fat, a high body mass index, and sugar-sweetened beverages as well as genetic factors.
· Health education can prevent early menarche by aiming to reduce the consumption of fructose, high concentrations of which are present in sugar-sweetened beverages.
Allergy
Insights into pediatric pollen food allergy syndrome
Jeong Hee Kim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(12):483-484.   Published online June 1, 2020
Neonatology (Perinatology)
Barriers to and enablers of kangaroo mother care
Soon Min Lee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(11):431-432.   Published online October 10, 2019
Nephrology (Genitourinary)
Undescended testis: importance of a timely referral to a surgical specialist
Su Jin Kim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(11):429-430.   Published online March 23, 2020
Undescended testes (UDT) is the most common congenital genitourinary abnormality in male infants and associated with decreased fertility and a higher future malignancy risk, especially in cases of delayed orchiopexy after puberty. It is important to timely referral to a surgical specialist and timely surgical correction of UDT to improve fertility and decrease the risk of malignancy.
Neonatology (Perinatology)
Utility of neonatal early-onset sepsis calculator in risk-based group B Streptococcus screening approach
Myo-Jing Kim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(10):393-394.   Published online May 22, 2020
· Evaluation of the risk factors for early-onset sepsis (EOS) is important to optimal prevention and treatment.
· The EOS calculator is still valid as part of the risk-based group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening approach.
· The risk factor assessment using the EOS calculator is worth use before the introduction of universal GBS screening.
Risk factors for in-hospital mortality in premature infants with critical congenital heart disease
Jeonghee Shin
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(10):391-392.   Published online October 6, 2020
The incidence and mortality rates of critical congenital heart disease (CHD) are higher in preterm than in term infants. The risk factors for in-hospital mortality in premature infants with critical CHD are unclear. However, the mortality of preterm infants with critical CHD may be related to CHD complexity as well as gestational age, birth weight, the presence of prematurity-associated comorbidities, and the treatment itself.
Allergy
Should we prescribe montelukast to allergic pediatric patients?
Yong Mean Park
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(10):389-390.   Published online August 24, 2020
Infection
What are considerations for neonates at risk for COVID-19?
Soo-Han Choi
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(9):359-360.   Published online July 17, 2020
Neonatology (Perinatology)
Survival model application for analysis of neonatal length of stay
Eun Joo Lee
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(9):357-358.   Published online May 14, 2020
Gastroenterology
Dietary role in the development and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Jae Young Kim
Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(9):355-356.   Published online July 13, 2020
Although the precise pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unclear, dietary factors seem to play a significant role. Dietary modifications including enteral nutrition and the Crohn disease exclusion, specific carbohydrate, and anti-inflammatory diets show a potential ability to downregulate gut inflammation. These nutritional interventions have various degree of efficacies with limited side effects profile for treating pediatric IBD, but data from randomized prospective studies are lacking, and further studies are warranted.