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... |
Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is one of the most common features of intractable temporal lobe epilepsy. Generally it can be identified through brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Typical brain MRI findings of HS are hippocampal atrophy with hyperintense signal confined to the lesion. On the other hand cortical dysplasia exhibits blurring of the gray-white... |
Perianastomotic ulceration (PAU) rarely occurs after small bowel resection in infancy. Since the understanding of its pathogenesis is incomplete, an effective method of treatment has not yet been discovered. We report the first case in Korea of a 10-year-old girl with chronic iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and growth failure who was diagnosed with PAU at colonoscopy. Seven years were required... |
Purpose : The aims of this study were to investigate the long-term outcomes in children with infantile spasms (IS) and to identify the prognostic factors influencing their neurodevelopment. Methods : We retrospectively evaluated seventy two children over five years old who were treated for IS at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, between 1994 and 2007. Forty-three children were contacted by telephone... |
Purpose : Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), a common musculoskeletal disorder in infants, is characterized by the rotation and flexion deformity of the neck caused by sternocleidomastoid muscle shortening. We investigated the clinical courses and perinatal risk factors of CMT. Methods : Less than 6-month-old patients (98; M:F = 60:38) diagnosed with CMT between February 2007 and August 2008 were classified... |
Purpose : Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) can be clinically classified as steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant. The detailed mechanism of glucocorticoid action in NS is currently unknown. Methods : In this study, we investigated 3 known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (ER22/23EK, N363S, and BclI) of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (the NR3C1 gene) in 190 children with NS using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment... |
Purpose : To evaluate the risk factors for mortality and prognostic factors in pediatric hemato-oncology patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric hemato-oncology patients admitted at the PICU of the Asan Medical Center between September 2005 and July 2008. Patients admitted at the PICU for perioperative or terminal... |
Purpose : To characterize the pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibilities in more than 24-month-old children with urinary tract infection (UTI) and to study the Escherichia coli antimicrobial susceptibility trend. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the record of more than 24-month-old children with UTI between January 2003 and December 2008. Positive results for 1 bacterial species with a colony count of... |
Purpose : To observe the abnormal white matter findings on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of very-low- birth-weight (VLBW) infant brains at term-equivalent age and to determine the clinical risk factors for the development of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Methods : In all, MRI was performed in 98 VLBW infants and the white matter abnormalities were observed. Clinical risk factors... |
Plastic bronchitis is a rare disease characterized by the recurrent formation of branching mucoid bronchial casts that are large and more cohesive than those that occur in ordinary mucus plugging. Casts may vary in size and can be spontaneously expectorated, but some require bronchoscopy for removal. Plastic bronchitis can therefore present as an acute life-threatening emergency if obstruction of the... |
Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology that affects children. There are few reports that describe the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as the possible infectious agent of KD. Here, we describe a case of KD in a 15- year-old boy complicated with giant coronary artery aneurysms, pericardial effusion, and splenic infarction. The clinical course of KD was... |
Purpose:The aim of this study is to explore the effect of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) expressed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that respond to antigen to Th2 immune deviation in allergic patients. Methods:Subjects consisted of 19 allergic patients and 17 healthy volunteers. Skin prick tests and nasal provocation tests were performed for the two groups. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)... |
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... |
Purpose : Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are used as first-line agents for the treatment of persistent asthma; however, their use is accompanied by apprehension of potential systemic adverse effects. This study aimed to assess the effects of ICS on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism in children with asthma. Methods : From February 2008 to September 2008, 26 asthmatic children treated... |
Purpose : We aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations of and antibiotic resistance in culture-proven childhood salmonellosis. Methods : Clinical manifestations and laboratory data of and antibiotic use in subjects with culture-proven childhood salmonellosis, who were treated at the Chonbuk National University Hospital between September 1998 and August 2008, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with underlying diseases or concomitant illnesses were excluded. Results... |
Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) with central nervous system (CNS) involvement is usually fatal unless stem cell transplant (SCT) is offered. However, SCT with conventional intensity conditioning is associated with high transplant-related mortality. We describe our experience with unrelated SCTs after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) for patients with EBV-HLH with progressive CNS disease. This approach was associated with minimal toxicities and... |
Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which affects nerve ganglions. VZV infection may be associated with neurologic complications, which are usually observed after vesicular exanthem. Acute aseptic meningitis is a rare complication of VZV reactivation. We report the case of a previously healthy 14-year-old boy who suffered from aseptic meningitis that was attributed to reactivated VZV infection... |
Neutropenia is defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of <1,500/µL, and the severity of neutropenia generally can be graded as mild (1,000-1,500/µL), moderate (500-1,000/µL), or severe (<500/µL). This stratification aids in predicting the risk of pyogenic infection because the susceptibility to life-threatening infections is significantly increased in patients with prolonged episodes of severe neutropenia. Especially cancer-related neutropenia carry significant... |
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was initially described as a self-limiting histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis in Japan in 1972, and is predominantly observed in women under the age of 30 year and in Asian populations. The pathogenesis is still poorly understood but is thought to include infections, and autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. The most common clinical manifestations are fever and painless cervical lymphadenitis. Diagnosis... |
Purpose : This study was performed to demonstrate the usefulness of early endoscopy for predicting the development of stricture following corrosive ingestion in children. Methods : We conducted a retrospective study on 34 children who were brought to Seoul National University Childrens Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for corrosive ingestion from 1989 to 2007. Results : The corrosive burns were... |
Purpose : Severe aspiration of the amniotic fluid is known to cause fatal respiratory distress in neonates. We conducted this study to investigate the clinical findings of severe amniotic fluid aspiration pneumonia (AFAP) in neonates and the effect of pulmonary surfactant replacement therapy (SRT). Methods : Retrospective analysis of medical records was conducted on 28 patients who received ventilator care... |
The number of international marriages in South Korea has drastically increased since the year 2000, and among these, the proportion of couples with a Korean husband and foreign wife accounts for more than 70%. At the same time, the number of children resulting from an international marriage has also risen dramatically; this tendency is especially evident in preschool children below... |
In Korea, overseas adoption has been practiced for more than 50 years. Initially, overseas adoption began with the objective to provide permanent homes for Korean war orphans, including mixed-blood children. From 1953 to 2007, about 160,000 Korean children were placed worldwide through overseas adoption and approximately 70,000 children were adopted in Korea. During that period, Korea developed into one of... |
AHS는 항경련제에 의한 부작용으로 드물게 발생하지만 생명을 위협할 수 있는 지연형 면역반응이다. 보통 항경련제 복용 후 1-8주 사이에 고열, 피부발진, 림프절병증의 임상 증세를 나타내고, 혈액, 간, 신장, 또는 폐 등의 내부 장기를 침범한다. AHS는 항경련제에 의한 부작용으로 증상이 전신적으로 다양하게 나타날 수 있다. 그리고 전염성 단핵구증이나 가와사키병과 같은 전신적 질환들과도 유사한 임상증상들을 보이기 때문에 이런 질환들과 감별하는 것이 중요하고 사망률도... |
Purpose : To assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), karyotyping, brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), electroencephalogram (EEG), tandem mass screening test, and newborn metabolic screening test in children with language delay for diagnosing underlying diseases. Methods : From January 2000 to June 2007, a retrospective chart review was performed for 122 children with language delay who visited the... |
Pneumonia remains the leading cause of mortality in children. Diagnosis depends on a combination of factors, including clinical assessment, radiological and laboratory findings. Although Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most important cause of childhood bacterial pneumonia, the great majority of cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are of viral etiology. A new, rapid, and inexpensive test that differentiates viral from bacterial pneumonia... |
Purpose : We investigated the relationship between thyroid hormone and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-6) and N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods : Serum levels of thyroid hormone, TNF-α, IL-6, and NT-proBNP were measured in 52 KD patients in the acute and subacute phase and 10 patients with acute... |
Purpose : Chronic urticaria is a disorder characterized by the appearance of wheals for more than 6 weeks; in most cases, the etiology is unknown. This study was aimed to discover the clinical aspects, the etiologic factors, and the course of chronic urticaria. Methods : 51 children who were diagnosed with chronic urticaria in the past 4 years, and who... |
We describe here our experience with a neonate presenting with cyanosis, grunting, and cardiomegaly, who was diagnosed with isolated left ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) by echocardiography. The patient had high levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) and symptoms of heart failure including poor feeding and tachypnea. During the period in which NT pro-BNP levels steadily increased, the patient suffered... |
Purpose : Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging-based three-dimensional fiber tractography (DTI-FT) is a new method which demonstrates the orientation and integrity of white matter fibers in vivo. However, clinical application on children with cerebral palsy is still under investigation. We present various abnormal patterns of DTI-FT findings and accordance rate with clinical findings in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, to... |