The 7-valent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has been shown to be highly efficacious against invasive pneumococcal diseases and effective against pneumonia and in reducing otitis media. The introduction of PCV7 has resulted in major changes in the epidemiology of pneumococcal diseases. However, pneumococcal vaccines induce serotype-specific immunity, and a relative increase in non-vaccine serotypes has been reported following the... |
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Pertussis is an acute respiratory infection characterized by paroxysmal cough and inspiratory whoop for over 2 weeks. The incidence of pertussis has decreased markedly after the introduction of DTwP/DTaP vaccine, but the incidence of pertussis has increased steadily among young infant and among adolescents and adults in many countries. Td vaccine was used in this age group but the increase... |
This study aimed to determine the optimal initial vancomycin dose to achieve appropriate trough levels in pediatric patients. We analyzed clinical data for 309 children treated with intravenous vancomycin between 2004 and 2009 at 2 different hospitals in South Korea. The patients were 1-16 years old and exhibited normal renal function. Patient data, including reason for treatment and initial dosing regimen,... |
Purpose : The aim of this study was to identify mutations associated with macrolide resistance in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and to establish a cultural method to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were collected from 62 children diagnosed with MP pneumonia by a serologic method or polymerase chain reaction. The 23S rRNA and L4 ribosomal protein genes of MP... |
Purpose : The etiology of Kawasaki disease (KD) is still unknown. Recently, an association between human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) and KD was implicated. Hence, we attempted to determine the association between KD and acute respiratory viral infections. Methods : Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from 54 patients diagnosed with KD at the Seoul National University (SNU) Children’s Hospital and SNU-Bundang Hospital... |
Since its identification in April 2009, a swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus (S-OIV) which is a reassortment of gene segments from both North American triple-reassortant and Eurasian swine influenza has been widely spread among humans in unexpected rapidity. To date, each gene segment of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) outbreak viruses have shown high (99.9%) neucleotide sequence identity. As of July 6, 94,512... |
Purpose : To identify clinical characteristics of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in neonatal period and early infancy and provide information in clinical practice. Methods : Twelve neonates and young infants (<6 months) who were infected by respiratory syncytial virus and required mechanical ventilation between March 2005 and July 2007 were enrolled. Diagnosis of RSV infection was made based on the... |
Purpose : Antibody persistence after primary series of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine and responses to boosters are seldom studied in Korean children. We performed this study to evaluate the antibody titer in relation to booster immunization of Hib vaccine in Korean children. Method : One hundred forty four children aged 12-23 months were enrolled in three university hospitals. The... |
Purpose : Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major etiologic agent for pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, and sepsis among young children. Multi-drug resistant strains have raised great concern worldwide, thus the importance of prevention with vaccines has been emphasized. However, vaccines may force the appearance of pneumococcal infections by nonvaccine serotypes. Thus, distribution of pneumococcal serotypes should be monitored to estimate vaccine... |
Streptococus pneumoniae is an important cause of invasive infections as well as non-invasive infections such as acute otitis media and sinusitis both in children and adults. Resistance of S. pneumoniae to multiple antimicrobials is increasing and poses therapeutic challenges, and prevention became more important. 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine has been used for the last several decades, but is not effective in... |
ilus influenzae has been declined to 4% each from 23% and 14%, respectively, compared to previous study. S. agalactiae was the most common isolate in the infants ≤3 months. Among the infants and children aged 3 months to 2 years and children of 2-5 years, S. pneumoniae(57%, 52%, respectively, in each group) was the most common isolates followed by S.... |
Purpose : Interleukin-4(IL-4) is a critical component of the Th2 cytokine pathway and contributes to severity of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) bronchiolitis. Previous studies observed an association between severe RSV bronchiolitis in Korean children with a common haplotype of the IL4 promoter. This study was performed to investigate functional differences of the variant IL4 promoter haplotypes. Methods : Genomic DNA was obtained... |
Purpose : Adenoviruses(Ads) are responsible for approximately 10 percent of lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs) in children. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies (Abs) against common serotypes of Ads in Korean children and adults. Methods : The sera were tested for neutralizing Abs against Ad serotypes 1 through 7 and 21 with a colorimetric microneutralization assay... |
Purpose : This study was performed to identify risk factors for urinary tract infection(UTI) by extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in children. Methods : We analyzed 125 episodes of UTI which were developed in 112 children at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital from July to December 2002. Medical records of 74 episodes of UTI caused by E. coli were reviewed in... |
Purpose : This study was done to evaluate the parents' or guardians' compliance of obtaining individual informed consent before vaccination and the possible problems of using informed consent. Methods : One hundred and twelve children were randomly selected among 2,820 children who visited Samsung Cheil Hospital during July 2002. A questionnaire about using informed consent of vaccination was given to all... |
Purpose : To characterize the infants under 3 months of age with urinary tract infections(UTIs), and especially patients with bacteremia or meningitis Methods : Hospital records of all the infants under 3 months of age discharged from our hospital for 69 consecutive months with the diagnosis of initial episode of UTI were reviewed. UTI was defined when patients had fever with... |
Purpose : Ascending cholangitis is the most common complication after Kasai operations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of cefotaxime as an empirical antibiotic on ascending cholangitis after Kasai operations. Methods : Thirty-nine episodes of cholangitis in twenty-nine children who underwent Kasai operations at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 1991 to December 2000 were... |
Five to fifteen percent of patients affected by human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) are children in developing countries. In Korea, most of HIV infections in children have been transfusion-related, and cases of vertical transmission have been very rare so far and are usually suspected due to a maternal positive history. We experienced a case of vertical transmission of HIV in a 19... |
Purpose : Outbreaks of mumps continue to occur, even though the number of patients diagnosed of mumps has decreased considerably with the widespread use of vaccine. The accurate diagnosis of mumps is needed to understand the epidemiology of mumps and analyse the safety and effectiveness of vaccine. Therefore, we attempted to appraise the accuracy of provisional diagnosis of mumps in... |
Purpose : Infective endocarditis(IE) is a serious complication in children with structural heart disease. We reviewed 35 cases of IE to identify the recent changes in the pattern of preexisting heart diseases, the spectrum of causative organisms and prognosis. Methods : The clinical records of children diagnosed as IE at the Seoul National University Children`s Hospital from January 1987 through December... |
Purpose : Though acute pyogenic infections of musculoskeletal system are infrequent in children, delayed diagnosis or inadequate management may cause serious chronic sequelae. We analysed 40 cases of children who were affected by acute septic osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis to find etiologic agents and to establish proper initial antimicrobial therapy. Methods : Medical records of 40 cases of microbiologically confirmed acute... |
Purpose : This prospective study was performed to evaluate the immunogenecity and safety of MMR vaccine(Triviraten Berna¢c) in Korea children. Methods : Seventy-three infants aged between 12 to 18 months were recruited from several university hospitals between December 1995 to June 1996. MMR vaccine(Triviraten Berna¢c) was administrered and blood was obtained before and 6-10 weeks after vaccination. IgG antibodies against measles,... |
Purpose : Infection by Haemophilus influenzae Type B(Hib) occurs most often in infants and children who are 5 years old and less. The incidence is highest around 6 months of age, and then decreases thereafter as infants gain natural immunity. Hi PRP-D conjugate vaccine is poorly immunogenic in infants. However, immunogenicity PRP-D vaccine in Korean infants is unknown. This... |
Purpose : With the implementation of measles vaccination programs, the number of patients with measles has decreased. However, epidemics still occur with high morbidity in infants less than 1 year of age. This fact calls for the establishment of optimal preventive measures against measles. The study was carried out to determine the effect of measles vaccination on an infant immunized... |
Purpose : Acute lower respiratory tract infections(LRIs) are an important cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. Causes of acute LRI in infants and children include bacteria, mycoplasma and respiratory viruses. Understanding of the epidemiology, etiology and clinical features of acute viral LRI is essential to improve the methods of prevention, diagnosis and management of these infections. Methods : Viral etiologic agents and clinical features of... |
Purpose : Although many strides have been made in the radiological and laboratory diagnosis, the liver biopsy is still considered an important tool for the diagnosis of liver disease. We report our experience that histologic investigation of the liver was essential searching for the etiologic diagnosis in eight children with fever of unknowm origin and hepatosplenomegaly, who's diagnosis were not documented by other diagnostic... |