Although antenatal diagnostic technique has considerably improved, precise detection and proper management of the neonate with congenital heart disease (CHD) is always a great concern to pediatricians. Congenital cardiac malformations vary from benign to serious conditions such as complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA), critical pulmonary and aortic valvular stenosis/atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), obstructed total anomalous pulmonary... |
Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) are considered to be formed from aberrant adrenal tissue that has become hyperplastic because of elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). A 6-year-old boy presented with testicular enlargement and pubic hair. He was diagnosed with CAH complicated by precocious puberty. However, he was not followed-up. At the age of... |
Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS) is a rare autosomal dominant congenital disorder caused by mutations in the |
Congenital factor VII deficiency is a rare autosomal-recessive bleeding disorder. Bleeding manifestations and clinical findings vary widely, ranging from asymptomatic subjects to patients with hemorrhages that may cause significant handicaps. Treatment has traditionally involved factor VII(FVII) replacement therapy using fresh frozen plasma, prothrombin complex concentrates or plasma-derived FVII concentrates. Recombinant activated FVII (NovoSeven®) is currently considered the first-line treatment for... |
Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) account for more than 50% of abdominal masses found in neonates and involve about 0.5% of all pregnancies. CAKUT has a major role in renal failure, and increasing evidence suggests that certain abnormalities predispose to the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. To understand the pathogenesis of human renal... |
Orphan lung diseases are defined as lung diseases with a prevalence of 1 or less in 2,000 individuals. Despite an increase in the numbers of patients with such diseases, few studies on Korean children have appeared. To obtain epidemiologic and demographic data on these diseases, we systematically reviewed reports on pediatric orphan lung diseases in Korea over the last 50... |
Patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD) are confronted with early- and late-onset complications, such as conduction disorders, arrhythmias, myocardial dysfunction, altered coronary flow, and ischemia, throughout their lifetime despite successful hemodynamic and/or anatomical correction. Rhythm disturbance is a well-known and increasingly frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CHD. Predisposing factors to rhythm disturbances include underlying cardiac defects,... |
The risk of mortality and morbidity of patients with congenital heart defects (CHDs) is highest during neonatal period and increases when diagnosis and proper management are delayed. Neonates with critical CHDs may present with severe cyanosis, respiratory distress, shock, or collapse, all of which are also frequent clinical presentations of various respiratory problems or sepsis in the newborn. Early diagnosis... |
Purpose : Early postoperative arrhythmias are a major cause of mortality and morbidity after open heart surgery in the pediatric population. We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of early postoperative arrhythmias after surgery of congenital heart disease. Methods : From January 2002 to December 2008, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 561 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in Kyungpook National University... |
Purpose : Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main pathogens causing lower respiratory infections (LRI) in young children, usually of limited severity. However, in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, one of the high-risk groups for RSV infection, RSV can cause serious illnesses and fatal results. To elucidate the effects of RSV infection in CHD patients, we observed RSV... |
Purpose : Growth impairment is usually observed in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Studies on the final height and weight of this population are insufficient. Our aim was to evaluate the final height of children with CHD and to identify the relationship between CHD and growth. Methods : We recorded the values of final height and weights of 105 CHD... |
Purpose : Despite recent advances in pulmonary hypertension management and surgery, appropriate guidelines remain to be developed for operability in congenital heart disease with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Our aim was to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with severe PAH who underwent surgical closure of left-to-right shunt lesions (LRSL) on the basis of pulmonary reactivity. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 21... |
Purpose : To investigate the nature of deviant voice physiology in preoperative children with congenital heart disease. Methods : Ninety-four children with congenital heart disease were enrolled. Their cries and related acoustic variables (fundamental frequency, duration, noise to harmonic ratio, jitter¢¬ and shimmer) were analyzed using a multi-dimensional voice program. Results : The average fundamental frequency showed a significant decrease in patent... |
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is currently the most common agent of congenital infection and the leading infectious cause of brain damage and hearing loss in children. Symptomatic congenital CMV infections usually result from maternal primary infection during early pregnancy. One half of symptomatic infants have cytomegalic inclusion disease (CID), which is characterized by involvement of multiple organs, in particular, the reticuloendothelial and... |
Purpose : To analyze abnormal ventricular activation in childhood congenital heart disease induced by postoperative changes in ventricular volume and pressure and ventricular scar formation using signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG). Methods : Fifty-two patients who had undergone open heart surgery (OHS) were enrolled. Patients were divided into the following 3 groups: right ventricular volume overload (atrial septal defect, group1), left ventricular... |
Purpose : This study compares the maternal characteristics and birth outcomes of infants of Asian immigrant mothers from developing countries with those of the infants of Korean mothers. Methods : In this multicenter and retrospective study, Asian immigrant women who had delivered between January 2005 and June 2008 were enrolled from9 Medical Centers. In all, 333 births to Asian immigrant... |
Plastic bronchitis is a rare disorder characterized by the formation of extensive, obstructing endobronchial casts. It is associated with asthma and complex cardiac defects such as those requiring the Fontan procedure. The treatment of plastic bronchitis comprises conventional therapy involving spontaneous expectoration and bronchoscopic removal and specific therapy with several new drugs. Herein, we describe the cases of 2 patients... |
We describe the case of a 4-month-old male infant diagnosed with early congenital syphilis during evaluation of a left distal humerus fracture. This report emphasizes the importance of screening for syphilis among pregnant women and newborns, and is a reminder of the continued existence of congenital syphilis. |
Purpose : To compare birth weight between infants with a single umbilical artery (SUA) and normal infants, investigate the associated anomalies of infants with SUA and isolated SUA (no abnormality of external appearance on birth, except SUA), and determine the prognosis of infants with isolated SUA. Methods : Live-born infants with SUA (n=59) detected by physical examination from among 15,193... |
Purpose : This study investigated the clinical course and prognostic factor of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) with hemodynamically significant congenital heart defects (CHDs). Methods : Medical records of 1,098 VLBWI with birth weight <1,500 g who had been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from October 1994 to December 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The... |
Purpose : This study assessed the incidence and outcome of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) detected by prenatal ultrasonography Methods : There were 906 cases of CAKUT detected by prenatal ultrasonography and postnatally confirmed at the Asan Medical Center from October 1989 to October 2007. We investigated the incidence and outcome of these cases by reviewing medical... |
Purpose : Active perioperative intervention and improvement on surgical technique has decreased the mortality rate of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC); however, when complicated with pulmonary venous obstruction, operative mortality is still high. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical course of TAPVC. Methods : Twenty-seven patients who were diagnosed with TAPVC (without other complex heart... |
Purpose : Congenital chylothorax is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space. It is a common cause of unidentified hydrops fetalis. We examined the perinatal history, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome in 6 newborns diagnosed to have congenital chylothorax with hydrops fetalis. We also studied the effect of octreotide therapy for congenital chylothorax in relation to conservative... |
Testicular adrenal rest tumors are a well-known complication in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Corticosteroid suppressive therapy usually results in the regression of these tumors. We describe a patient with 21-hydroxylase deficiency who developed bilateral testicular masses. Despite steroid suppressive therapy, the tumors did not regress and hormonal control was poor. Consequently, bilateral partial orchiectomies were performed. |
Purpose : The objective of this study was to ascertain the incidence of congenital heart disease in the western part of Gyeongnam Province in Korea. Methods : We enrolled 849 children (M:F=390:459) who were diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) and received echocardiography during January 1997 to December 2005 in Gyeongsang National University Hospital. The subjects were limited to patients born... |
The term tracheal bronchus refers to an abnormal bronchus that comes directly off of the lateral wall of the trachea (above the carina) and supplies ventilation to the upper lobe. Tracheal bronchi occur almost exclusively on the right trachea and are associated with other congenital anomalies. In addition, tracheai bronchus may be related to other inflammatory conditions with persistent wheezing,... |
Purpose : This study was undertaken to identify factors that influence 17-OHP levels in preterm infants and to suggest a reasonable follow-up schedule of screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in preterm infants. Methods : The 17-OHP concentrations in filter paper blood spots of 427 preterm infants were obtained. The effects of gestational age (GA), systemic diseases, and antenatal dexamethasone... |
Intestinal obstruction is not uncommon in infants. The common causes of intestinal obstruction in the neonatal period are Hirschsprung disease, intestinal atresia, meconium ileus, and intussusception. However, small bowel obstruction caused by a congenital band is very rare. We report a 27-day-old baby who was admitted with abdominal distension and fever. The abdominal X-ray revealed massive bowel dilatation and the... |
Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of childhood, arising from adrenal medullary and chromaffin tissue. Because chronic hypoxia may induce pheochromocytoma, there have been several reports of pheochromocytoma development in cyanotic patients after corrective or palliative cardiac surgery. The variable clinical presentation of pheochromocytoma is obscured by both underlying heart disease and medications. If sudden hypertension, aggravation of a heart condition,... |
Right-sided heart failure is a major problem among patients with congenital heart diseases, due to the prevalence of congenital heart defects and the association of pulmonary hypertension. More attention is focused on the structure of the right heart particularly in association with congenital heart defects and chronic lung disease. The right ventricle (RV) may support the pulmonary circulation, and sometimes... |