An 18-year experience of tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia / 소아과

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical manifestations and outcomes of patients with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and esophageal atresia (EA) born at a single neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for 97 patients with confirmed TEF and EA who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between 1990 and 2007. RESULTS: The rate of prenatal diagnosis was 12%. The average gestational age and birth weight were 37(+2) weeks and 2.5+/-0.7 kg, respectively. Thirty-one infants were born prematurely (32%). Type C was the most common. The mean gap between the proximal and distal esophagus was 2 cm. Esophago-esophagostomy was performed in 72 patients at a mean age of 4 days after birth; gastrostomy or duodenostomy were performed in 8 patients. Forty patients exhibited vertebral, anorectal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, limb (VACTERL) association with at least 2 combined anomalies, and cardiac anomaly was the most common. The most common post-operative complications were esophageal stricture followed by gastroesophageal reflux. Balloon dilatation was performed for 1.3 times in 26 patients at a mean age of 3 months. The mortality and morbidity rates were 24% and 67%, respectively, and the most common cause of death was sepsis. The weight of approximately 40% patients was below the 10th percentile at 2 years of age. CONCLUSION: Mortality and morbidity rates of patients with TEF and EA are high as compared to those of infants with other neonatal surgical diseases. Further efforts must be taken to reduce mortality and morbidity and improve growth retardation.

Feeding Desaturation and Effects of Orocutaneous Stimulation in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: Feeding desaturation is a common problem among preterm infants which can result in prolonged hospital stays, long-term feeding difficulties and growth delay. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of premature infants with feeding desaturation and to examine the effect of orocutaneous stimulation on oral feeding. METHODS: During the first phase of this study, 125 extremely low birth weight infants were reviewed retrospectively. Characteristics between infants with feeding desaturation (n=34) and those without feeding desaturation (n=91) were examined. During the second phase, 29 infants recruited from March, 2009 to May, 2010 were subjected to orocutaneous stimulation. The results of orocutaneous stimulation were compared to a control group (n=81). RESULTS: The first phase of the study revealed that extremely low birth weight infants with feeding desaturation were significantly lower in gestational ages at birth, and had lower 5 minute apgar scores, more gastroesophageal refluxes and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Infants without feeding desaturation reached full enteral feeding significantly earlier and showed shorter duration of hospital stay. At the second phase, infants in the intervention group showed shorter days to achieve initiation of bottle feeding, shorter days in achievement of full bottle feeding, last episodes of feeding desaturation and length of hospital stay compared to the control group of similar characteristics. CONCLUSION: Orocutaneous stimulation among extremely low birth weight infants results in earlier achievement of full bottle feedings without episodes of feeding desaturation hence shortens the length of hospital stay.

Feeding Desaturation and Effects of Orocutaneous Stimulation in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: Feeding desaturation is a common problem among preterm infants which can result in prolonged hospital stays, long-term feeding difficulties and growth delay. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of premature infants with feeding desaturation and to examine the effect of orocutaneous stimulation on oral feeding. METHODS: During the first phase of this study, 125 extremely low birth weight infants were reviewed retrospectively. Characteristics between infants with feeding desaturation (n=34) and those without feeding desaturation (n=91) were examined. During the second phase, 29 infants recruited from March, 2009 to May, 2010 were subjected to orocutaneous stimulation. The results of orocutaneous stimulation were compared to a control group (n=81). RESULTS: The first phase of the study revealed that extremely low birth weight infants with feeding desaturation were significantly lower in gestational ages at birth, and had lower 5 minute apgar scores, more gastroesophageal refluxes and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Infants without feeding desaturation reached full enteral feeding significantly earlier and showed shorter duration of hospital stay. At the second phase, infants in the intervention group showed shorter days to achieve initiation of bottle feeding, shorter days in achievement of full bottle feeding, last episodes of feeding desaturation and length of hospital stay compared to the control group of similar characteristics. CONCLUSION: Orocutaneous stimulation among extremely low birth weight infants results in earlier achievement of full bottle feedings without episodes of feeding desaturation hence shortens the length of hospital stay.

The Role of Prenatal Target Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Congenital Anomalies in Infants of Diabetic Mothers / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Infants of diabetic mothers have higher incidence of congenital malformations compared with those of non-diabetic mothers. We investigated the usefulness of prenatal level II or "targeted" ultrasonography (TUS) as a diagnostic tool to identify congenital abnormalities in infants of diabetic mothers. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 218 mothers diagnosed as pregestational or gestational diabetes in whom prenatal TUS was performed in Asan Medical Center between 2004 and 2009. The prenatal TUS findings were compared with the congenital abnormalities found in the infants (n=226) of the diabetic mothers by physical examination and ultrasonography (including echocardiography). Maternal risk factors associated with congenital anomalies were also investigated. RESULTS: The incidence of congenital anomalies was 14.2% (n=32) in prenatal TUS and 15.5% (n=35) postnatally, respectively. Only 7 cases (3.6%) out of the 194 infants with normal prenatal TUS findings were found to have congenital abnormalities diagnosed postnatally. All of the abnormalities in these 7 infants could be detected or suspected by physical examination after birth. Maternal fasting glucose level >120 mg/dL and insulin therapy were significant risk factors for predicting congenital abnormalities in infants of diabetic mothers. CONCLUSION: Prenatal TUS performed by experienced obstetricians had a good reliability in the diagnosis of congenital anomalies in infants of diabetic mothers. Need for universal screening of ultrasound or echocardiography in these infants should be questioned especially in the cases in which prenatal TUS was performed.

Death in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: Death is an important problem for physicians and parents in neonatal intensive care unit. This study was intended to evaluate the mortality rate, causes of death, and the change of mortality rate by year for infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: We retrospectively surveyed the medical records of the infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Asan Medical Center and who died before discharge between 1998 and 2007. Gestational age, birth weight, gender, time to death and the underlying diseases related to the causes of infant deaths and obtained from the medical records and analyzed according to year. RESULTS: A total of 6,289 infants were admitted and 264 infants died during the study period. The overall mortality rate was 4.2%. For very low and extremely low birth weight infants, the mortality rate was 10.6% and 21.4%, respectively. There was no significant change in the mortality rate during the study period. Prematurity related complications and congenital anomalies were the conditions most frequently associated with death in the neonatal intensive care unit. of the infant deaths 37.1% occurred within the first week of life. CONCLUSION: Even though a remarkable improvement in neonatal intensive care has been achieved in recent years, the overall mortality rate has not changed. To reduce the mortality rate, it is important to control sepsis and prevent premature births. The first postnatal week is a critical period for deaths in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Causative Agents and Antimicrobial Sensitivity of Neonatal Sepsis: Ten-year Experience in One Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE:To identify trends in causative bacterial organisms for neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial susceptibilities over 10 years in one neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed the cases of culture-proven neonatal sepsis between January 1998 and December 2007. The 10-year period was divided into two phases (phase I, 1998-2002; phase II, 2003-2007) to distinguish the differences during the entire period. RESULTS:Total 350 episodes of neonatal sepsis were identified in 315 neonates. The common pathogens of early-onset sepsis were S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. cloacae in phase I, and S. epidermidis and E. cloacae in phase II. In cases of late- onset sepsis, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, S. aureus, and K. pneumoniae were isolated frequently in both phases. The incidence of sepsis caused by multi-drug resistant organisms decreased with strict infection control. Gram positive organisms showed 0-20% susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin, and cefotaxime in both phases. Sensitivity to amikacin for Enterobacter spp. increased, whereas P. aeruginosa showed decreased sensitivity in phase II. Between 50% and 60% of other gram negative bacteria, except P. aeruginosa, were susceptible to cefotaxime in phase II in contrast to phase I. Greater than 80% of gram negative bacteria were sensitive to imipenem except P. aeruginosa and ciprofloxacin in both phases. CONCLUSION:The trend in causative microorganisms and antimicrobial susceptibilities can be used as a guideline for selection of appropriate antibiotics. A particular attention should be paid to infection control, especially to reduce sepsis caused by multi-drug resistant organisms.

A Case of Hydrops Fetalis due to Placental Chorangiomatosis / 대한주산의학회잡지

Apart from the common etiologies of neonatal hydrops fetalis, a miscellaneous group of rare causes of them include abnormalities of the placenta, namely, chorangioma (chorioangioma). Chorangiomatosis is multiple small chorangiomas, a rare tumor occurring in 1% of pregnancies, of varying sizes in the placenta. When chorangioma is large enough it can cause high output cardiac failure of the fetus and results in non-immune hydrops. We report a case of neonatal hydrops fetalis caused by placental chorangiomatosis in which the placenta could have been easily overlooked. We suggest evaluating every placenta for biopsy in cases of neonatal hydrops fetalis especially when the other causes of hydrops fetalis have been ruled out.

Four Cases of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with severe pulmonary hypoplasia is associated with significant mortality. Recently, several new therapeutic methods have been suggested, such as high- frequency oscillatory ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide. For hypoxemic respiratory failure unresponsive to these advanced medical treatment options, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) serves as the last potentially effective treatment. An understanding of the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension associated with CDH led to a strategy involving preoperative stabilization and delayed surgical intervention with ECMO. We describe four cases of ECMO, including the first report of ECMO for neonatal CDH in Korea.

Neonatal Hearing Screening in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduate

PURPOSE: Hearing loss is one of the common birth defects in humans, with a reported prevalence of 1-3 per 1000 newborns. We investigated the incidence of hearing loss and evaluated the use of neonatal hearing screening test in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates who are at greater risk for hearing loss than normal newborns. METHODS: The neonates admitted to the NICU of Asan Medical Center from 1 March, 2003 to 30 March, 2008 who were available for follow-up were included. Those who failed the first auditory brainstem response prior to discharge were retested with the stapedial reflex test, auditory brainstem response and tympanometry in the Otolaryngology department. RESULTS: Of 2,137 neonates, 2,000 (93.5%) neonates were tested prior to discharge. Sixty-seven neonates (3.4%) failed the first newborn hearing screening test. Of 67 infants, 52 infants were retested for a second hearing test. Excluding 10 infants (19.2%) who were lost during follow-up, 16 infants were confirmed to have hearing impairment of which 12 and 4 infants had unilateral and bilateral hearing loss, respectively. Of 16 infants, 5 did not meet the criteria set by the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hearing impairment in NICU graduates is about 0.8%, excluding those who were lost for follow up, necessitating a systemic and effective hearing assessment program among these high risk infants and more generous national insurance coverage.

Outcomes of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants at the Asan Medical Center between 2003 and 2006

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI) who were born at the Asan Medical Center and evaluate the recent status of neonatal intensive care and associated problems. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 120 inborn ELBWI who were admitted to the NICU of the Asan Medical Center between 2003 and 2006. The survival rate, neurodevelopmental outcomes, maternal and infant factors, and infant mordibities were evaluated and the relationships with survival and catch-up growth were investigated. RESULTS: The survival rate of the ELBWI was 82% at a mean gestational age of 27+2 weeks, and with a mean birth weight of 801.3+/-129.0 g. The duration of hospitalization was 85.7+/-27.2 days, the duration of O2 use was 43.9+/-35.4 days, and the duration of ventilatory support was 20.9+/-20.9 days among the survivors. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia were 41.8%, 61.2%, 3%, and 4%, respectively. The mean mental developmental index and psychomotor development index of Bailey Scales of Infant Development (II) at follow-up were 83.4+/-18.2 and 83.3+/-20.3, respectively. Among the infants who had >18 months of follow-up, 50.8% had catch-up growth at 12 months. CONCLUSION: The survival rate of ELBWI has improved; however, the morbidities remain high, thus indicating further efforts must be implemented to reduce morbidity and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Study on Meconium Peritonitis Associated with Intrauterine Intestinal Perforation / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to study clinical characteristics of patients with intrauterine meconium peritonitis, differences of various factors in between those who required operation and those who did not, risk factors leading into operation, and prognosis in the era of high prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 53 patients was done. Various factors for operation group (n= 41) and non-operation group (control, n=12) were compared. The risk factors for operation were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean gestational age and birth weight for 53 including 41 (77%) of prenatally diagnosed cases were 36+/-3.4 weeks and 2,819+/-755 g, respectively. The most frequent antenatal sonographic finding was calcification. The most common etiology was ileal atresia. The first and full feeding was at 1.4+/-1.5 and 4.2+/-1.9 day, respectively for control (11.3+/-10.9 and 32.3+/-24.7 day). Risk factors for operation included requirement of mechanical ventilation and cesarean delivery. Overall survival rate was 94%. Survivial rate of those who were antenatally diagnosed was 97.6% in comparison to 83.3% who were not. The growth at 12 months was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Favorable outcome of intrauterine meconium peritonitis is reassuring and stems from multidisplinary team approach.

Removal of a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Remnant using Cardiac Catheterization in Preterm Infant

The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is used frequently in preterm infants. The known complications associated with the PICC include infection, thrombosis, extravasation, phlebitis, leakage of insertion site, fracture, accidental removal, occlusion of the PICC, and arrhythmia. We herein report a case of a spontaneously fractured PICC remnant that was successfully removed by cardiac catheterization.

A Case of Scalp AV Malformation Cured by Embolization

Congenital arteriovenous malformation of the scalp is a relatively rare disease, and its treatment remains challenging because of the unpredictable behavior and high recurrence rate. We report herein a case of an 8 days old male referred for a pulsating scalp mass in the right parietal area with congestive heart failure which was found to be due to AV malformation of the scalp. Embolization of two feeding arteries arising from the right superficial temporal artery on day of life 11 resulted in a complete cure without recurrences.

Molecular-epidemiologic study on outbreak of colonization by extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in neonatal intensive care unit / 소아과

PURPOSE: The aims of this study included assessment of molecular-epidemiologic features during an outbreak of colonization of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae(ESBL-KPN) and re-evaluation of their colonized status one year later. METHODS: Rectal swab cultures for ESBL-KPN from all hospitalized infants and newly admitted infants were obtained during the outbreak of colonization from July to December, 2000. The pattern of XbaI-digested chromosomal DNA of isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Weekly rectal swab cultures were obtained during the outbreak until patients were either discharged or decolonized. Patients discharged after being colonized had follow up stool cultures a year later. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients(28.5 percent) were colonized. Of those, 53 whose pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) was possible only once, were ESBL-KPN grouped into six cluster clones and 10 single clones:28 patients(52.8 percent) were colonized with type A, the most common clone, followed by type B in 11 patients(20.8 percent). Of those 12 patients in whom serial PFGE was done more than twice, type A was predominant. Narrowed-down in strains occurred from types A, B, C, D and three single clones at initiation of the study into types A and type B after three months of strict infection control. Among 75 patients(93.7 percent) who were sent home after being colonized, 30 patients were re-called for stool cultures a year later:All of them were decolonized. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the importance of infection control as the diversity of ESBL-KPN strains could be narrowed into fewer strains. Colonization of ESBL-KPN could be reversed upon return to the community.

Prognosis of Bochdalek Hernia in Neonate after Change in Management Principle

There are considerable controversies in the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. By 1997, early operation, routine chest tube on the ipsilateral side and maintainingrespiratory alkalosis by hyperventilation were our principles (period I). With a transition period from 1998 to 1999, delayed operation with sufficient resuscitation, without routine chest tube, and permissive hypercapnia were adopted as our practice. High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and nitric oxide (NO) were applied, if necessary, since year 2000(period II). Sixty-seven cases of neonatal Bochdalek hernia from 1989 to 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 33 and 34 cases in period I and II, respectively. The neonatal survival rates were 60.6 % and 73.5 %, respectively, but the difference was not significant. In period I, prematurity, low birth weight, prenatal diagnosis, inborn, and associated anomalies were considered as the significant poor prognostic factors, all of which were converted to nonsignificant in period II. In summary, improved survival was not observed in later period. The factors considered to be significant for poor prognosis were converted to be nonsignificant after change of the management principle. Therefore, we recommend delayed operation after sufficient period of stabilization and the avoidance of the routine insertion of chest tube. The validity of NO and HFOV needs further investigation.

Immune responses of hepatitis B vaccination among very low birth weight infant / 소아과

PURPOSE: To evaluate the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine among very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) who were vaccinated at 0, 1, 6 months of chronological age and to determine the factors associated with antibody formations. METHODS: A total of 243 VLBWI admitted to Seoul and Gangneung Asan Medical Center neonatal intensive care units from 1997 to 2004 were included. Of 243, 13 infants were born to HBs Ag positive mother. All infants were given DNA recombinant vaccine at 0, 1, and 6 months of chronological age. Infants born to HBs Ag positive mothers received hepatitis B immunoglobulin at birth and a total of 4 doses of vaccinations. An antibody level over 10 mIU/mL, tested at 3-4 months after last vaccination, was regarded as a positive seroconversion. RESULTS: The seroconversion rates were 84.4 percent and 84.5 percent for VLBWI and extremely low birth weight infants(ELBWI), respectively. Of 28 seronegative infants who were given revaccinations, 60.7 percent seroconverted, resulting in 95.3 percent, 97.5 percent seroconversion rates for VLBWI and ELBWI, respectively. 76.9 percent of infants born to HBsAg positive mothers seroconverted and none became hepatitis B carriers. Factors such as gestational age, sex, various neonatal illness, and kinds of vaccinations did not influence the formation of the hepatits B antibody, however, the higher the weight at time of first vacciation yielded better seroconversion rate. CONCLUSION: Revaccination of seronegative VLBWI after 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccinaton is very effective. Therefore, testing the immune status after the hepatitis B vaccination, a practice not routinely done, is highly recommended.

Transfusion-related Cytomegalovirus Infection Among Very Low Birth Weight Infants in an Endemic Area

This study investigated the incidence of acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) given CMV seropositive blood, and sought to determine whether filtering and irradiation of blood products could help prevent CMV infection and the time required to clear passively-derived anti-CMV IgG among 80 VLBWI transfused with filtered-irradiated blood, 20 VLBWI transfused with nonfiltered- nonirradiated blood and 26 nontransfused VLBWI. CMV IgG and IgM values were obtained from all blood products prior to transfusions, and from VLBWI at birth until the infants became seronegative. Urine was obtained for CMV culture at birth and every 3-4 weeks until 12 weeks after the final transfusion. The incidence of CMV IgG seropositivity among the 126 infants at birth and the blood products given were 96% and 95%, respectively. The incidence of acquired CMV infection was 4/100 (4%) in the transfused group: 2/80 (2.5%) and 2/20 (10%) in the filtered-irradiated and nonfiltered-nonirradiated transfusion groups, respectively. Approximately 9-10 months elapsed to clear passively acquired CMV IgG. The irradiation and filtering of the blood products did not seem to decrease the transfusion-related CMV infection rate in Korea among VLBWI, however, further validation is recommended in a larger cohort of infants.

The Disease Spectrum in Premature Infants and the Progress of Pharmacological Treatment

Liveborn infants delivered before 37 week of postmenstrual age or less than 2,500g of birth weight are defined as premature infants. Recently, the unprecedented progress in neonatal practice has achieved remarkable improvements in the survival of extremely premature infants. However, immature organ function and the complication of therapy still contribute to the high mortality and morbidity from a spectrum of disease especially in extremely premature, low birth weight infants; respiratory distress syndrome, chronic lung disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, nosocomial infection, and prolonged hospitalization consist of the spectrum of disease in premature infants. To achieve further progress in neonatal-perinatal practice, randomized clinical trials should be employed not just to test the effectiveness of new therapies but also to evaluate competing strategies toward evidence-based, better clinical practice.

Surgical Problems in the Micropremie

performed at the time of discharge. There was only one recurrence of adirect inguinal hernia. Necrotizing enterocolitis developed in 17 patients, 11 were operated upon, two had peritoneal drainages, and 9 had enterostomies. Five of 11 surgical infants died after operation and three of the nonsurgical infants died of various complications. Although micropremies have potentially high risks of serious complications and death, the outcome can improve with careful surgical observation and judgment.

Surgical Problems in the Micropremie

performed at the time of discharge. There was only one recurrence of adirect inguinal hernia. Necrotizing enterocolitis developed in 17 patients, 11 were operated upon, two had peritoneal drainages, and 9 had enterostomies. Five of 11 surgical infants died after operation and three of the nonsurgical infants died of various complications. Although micropremies have potentially high risks of serious complications and death, the outcome can improve with careful surgical observation and judgment.