Perinatal Risk Factors for Postnatal Weight Loss in Late Preterm Infants

PURPOSE: Many studies have reported associations of early postnatal growth failure in preterm infants with several morbidities. However, the risk factors for postnatal weight loss (PWL) in late preterm infants have not been identified. We investigated the independentrisk factors for PWL in late preterm infants.METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. We enrolled 369 late preterm infants born at 34⁺⁰ to 36⁺⁶ weeks gestational age who were admitted to the Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital between 2015 and 2017. PWL% was calculated as (birth weight–lowest weight)/birth weight×100. The infants were classified into lower (< 5%) and higher (≥10%) PWL% groups by propensity score matching for gestational age, sex, and birth weight. Perinatal risk factors were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS: The lower and higher PWL% groups included 62 and 31 infants, respectively. Antenatal steroids administered within 1 week before birth (odds ratio [OR], 3.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.015 to 10.465; P=0.047), lower total calorie intake during days 1 to 7 (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.977 to 0.999; P=0.027), and phototherapy (OR, 5.28; 95% CI, 1.327 to 21.024; P=0.018) were independent risk factors for the higher PWL%.CONCLUSION: Further studies are needed to identify the risk factors that cause high PWL% according to gestational age and short- and long-term morbidities based on the degree of PWL.

Low Basophil Count and Red Cell Distribution Width at Birth May Predict the Development of Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Matched Control Study

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is incompletely understood. There were some reports that the pathogenesis of NEC involves intrauterine process and infants with fulminant NEC had low lymphocyte count. Thus, we investigated complete blood count (CBC) parameters of infants at birth and their mothers near delivery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of NEC patients and controls. The CBC parameters were compared between infants with NEC (modified Bell's criteria stage > or =Ia, n=82) and controls matched for gestational age, birth weight, gender, and race (n=169). The blood test findings were obtained from infants within the first 2 hours of life and from mothers as the latest one before delivery. RESULTS: Statistically different findings at birth were found in NEC infants; red cell distribution width (RDW) and basophil count. In the multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, and gender, several infantile independent risk factors were identified; basophil count <40/microL (odds ratio [OR], 4.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.18 to 9.73; P<0.001) and low RDW (OR, 7.15; 95% CI, 2.93 to 17.41; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that NEC was associated with low infantile RDW and basophil count at birth. These findings might support roles of red blood cell and basophil in the pathogenesis of NEC, which might predict development of NEC with neonatal findings at birth.

Cystatin C as a Renal Function Marker for Neonates

The prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) is important in the management of neonates, and several renal biomarkers have been tested for clinical application. Cystatin C (CysC) is a promising marker of renal function, and its application in neonatal care showed several benefits. First, CysC levels are not affected by endogenous substances such as bilirubin, hemoglobin, and ketones in laboratory tests. Second, its level is not influenced by inflammation (e.g., sepsis), muscle mass, age, gender, or nutritional status. Third, CysC is not transmitted through the placenta. Fourth, standardized automated measurement methods are available. Fifth, CysC was shown to reflect renal maturation better than creatinine. Lastly, CysC was reported to change with a wider amplitude than creatinine, which allows a more sensitive detection of renal deterioration. Recently, several reference CysC levels for neonates, including premature infants, were reported. In the present review, we summarized information on serum CysC reference values from different studies. Few studies investigated the usefulness of CysC for predicting AKI in neonates with various diseases such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and neonatal asphyxia. Recent studies showed an association between serum CysC level and cardiovascular diseases or Alzheimer's disease, indicating that CysC may play a role as a marker for various diseases in the future. Although the use of CysC as a marker in neonatal care showed several benefits, reliable and detailed reference ranges need to be established, including those for neonates with diseases. In addition, other novel renal markers need to be tested in neonates.

Decreased Expression of Surfactant Protein Genes Is Associated with an Increased Expression of Forkhead Box M1 Gene in the Fetal Lung Tissues of Premature Rabbits

PURPOSE: Recently, Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) was reported to be correlated with lung maturation and expression of surfactant proteins (SPs) in mice models. However, no study has been conducted in rabbit lungs despite their high homology with human lungs. Thus, we attempted to investigate serial changes in the expressions of FoxM1 and SP-A/B throughout lung maturation in rabbit fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant New Zealand White rabbits were grouped according to gestational age from 5 days before to 2 days after the day of expected full term delivery (F5, F4, F3, F2, F1, F0, P1, and P2). A total of 64 fetuses were enrolled after Cesarean sections. The expressions of mRNA and proteins of FoxM1 and SP-A/B in fetal lung tissue were tested by quantitative reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR and Western blot. Furthermore, their correlations were analyzed. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of SP-A/B showed an increasing tendency positively correlated with gestational age, while the expression of FoxM1 mRNA and protein decreased from F5 to F0. A significant negative correlation was found between the expression levels of FoxM1 and SP-A/B (SP-A: R=-0.517, p=0.001; SP-B: R=-0.615, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Preterm rabbits demonstrated high expression of FoxM1 mRNA and protein in the lungs compared to full term rabbits. Also, the expression of SP-A/B was inversely related with serial changes in FoxM1 expression. This is the first report to suggest an association between FoxM1 and expression of SP-A/B and lung maturation in preterm rabbits.

A Case of Liver Abscess Associated with Umbilical Venous Catheterization in Preterm Infant

Umbilical venous catheter (UVC) insertion is a life-saving procedure in neonates who require neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It is a relatively easy procedure and it is routinely performed on the NICU. This life-saving yet relatively easy procedure, however, can yield some undesirable complications if it is not administered correctly. One of them is a liver abscess. This is a case report of a preterm infant who developed a liver abscess after UVC insertion. We inserted UAC and UVC to a preterm of 35 weeks of gestational age and birth weight of 2,720 g for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, and sepsis. A liver abscess associated with UVC was suspected on screening abdominal sonogram performed for evaluation of infection at 8 days of life. UAC was removed at 5 days of life, however, UVC was still being used. The patient recovered after 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment with prompt elimination of UVC. This case along with a brief review of literature illustrates an importance of proper maintenance and casuistic use of UVC for preterm infants.

Recent Trends in Neonatal Mortality in Very Low Birth Weight Korean Infants: In Comparison with Japan and the USA

With regard to the outcome of intensive neonatal care, one of the most important concerns in neonatology is the mortality rate of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI; birth weight < 1,500 g) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI; birth weight < 1,000 g). The present study was conducted to analyze and compare the mortality of VLBWI and ELBWI and neonatal care among Korean, Japanese, and American newborns. In Korea, the survival rates of VLBWI have increased significantly; they were 31.8% in the early 1960s, 65.8% in the early 1990s, 77.5% in 2002, 84.7% in 2007, and 85.7% in 2009. The survival rates of ELBWI have also increased; they were 8.2% in the early 1960s, 37.4% in the early 1990s, 56.1% in 2002, 67.7% in 2007, and 71.8% in 2009. The survival rates of VLBWI and ELBWI have significantly improved over the past 50 yr in Korea. However, the Korean survival rates of VLBWI and ELBWI are still lower than for similar groups in Japan and the USA. To achieve better outcomes that reach the level of these countries, the organization of perinatal care centers, nationwide neonatal perinatal research networks, and regionalization are needed in Korea.

Surfactant Replacement Therapy for RDS: a Collaborative Study of 72 Multi-center Trials in Korea (2010) and a Review of Korean Experiences over 20 Years

In Korea, pulmonary surfactant (PS) replacement therapy in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was started in 1991 since when Surfacten(R) was imported from Japan. At the present time, Surfacten(R), Newfactan(R), Curosurf(R), and Infasurf(R) are available in Korea. The governmental health insurance covers the expense for multiple dose treatment since 2002 and the early prophylactic treatment (BW: <1,250 g or GP: <30 wks) since 2011. We undertook a multi-institutional collective study to evaluate the outcomes of PS over past 20 years in Korea (Period-I; 1990/91, P-II; 1996, P-III; 2002, and P-IV; 2007, P-V; 2010). There were 60 RDS neonates with PS treatment in P-I (16 hospitals), 1,179 in P-II (64), 1,595 in P-III (62), 1,921 in P-IV (57), and 3,160 in P-V (72). Decreased mortality rate, defined as the percentage of neonates who died within 28 days of birth, was seen between periods, P-V vs P-I, II, III, and IV (mortality rate: 10.1% vs. 40.0%, 30.0%, 18.7%, and 14.3%). We conclude that PS therapy contributed to improve remarkable outcome in RDS neonates over the last 20 years in Korea. However, more efforts should be made to optimize PS therapy for better outcome. Multiple PS doses for relapse and poor response, early prophylactic use, and better supportive care for pre-term infants are mandatory.

Decreasing Trends of Neonatal and Infant Mortality Rates in Korea: Compared with Japan, USA, and OECD Nations

Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) are two of the most important indices reflecting the level of public health of a country. In this review, we investigated changes in NMR and IMR in Korea and compared the results with those of Japan, USA, and OECD nations. During the past 20 yr, NMR and IMR have lowered remarkably from 6.6 and 9.9 in 1993 to 1.7 and 3.2 in 2009, respectively, in Korea. It is an impressive finding that Korean IMR (3.2 in 2009) is lower than the average of OECD nations (4.7 in 2008), and USA (6.3 in 2009), although higher than Japanese IMR (2.8 in 2009). The proportion of NMR among the IMR calculation decreased from 66.7% in 1993 to 53.1% in 2009. The reason the value of Korea was higher than Japan but lower than USA was speculated to be an aspect of the health care service system. Several suggestions in perinatal, neonatal and infantile health care such as establishment of perinatal care center, research network system, regionalization, and new policies for care of pre-term and high risk pregnancy, are elucidated to achieve further improvement on NMR and IMR in Korea.

Decreasing Pattern in Perinatal Mortality Rates in Korea: In Comparison with OECD Nations / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: In Korea before 1996, the perinatal mortality rates (PMRs) were reported by individual studies, but the Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare started official reports of PMRs from 1996, and Statistics Korea provides the annual official data since 2007. The present study observed the decreasing trends of PMR and compared the PMRs between OECD nations. Thereby, we surveyed the terminology of PMR and the international trends in the usage of the calculation methods and intended to provide uniformity in calculating PMR in Korea. Also, the authors speculated some perinatal problems to be improved in the future in order to decrease PMR further. METHODS: Data before 1996 were gathered from individual reports, and after 1996 were utilized from Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Statistics Korea. Data of OECD nations were analyzed from OECD Health Data 2010. The changes in annual PMR of Korea was reviewed, which is helpful to recognize the current state of Korea, and was compared to that of OECD nations. RESULTS: During the past 50 years, the PMRs of Korea were remarkably improved (PMRs: 60 in 1960s, 35 in 1970s, 30 in 1980s, approximately, respectively). The official PMR values of Korea are as following: 6.0 in 1996, 5.2 in 1999, 4.6 in 2002, 4.2 in 2005, 3.6 in 2006, 3.7 in 2007, 3.6 in 2008, and 3.4 in 2009. The decreasing pattern of the annual PMR value was observed and the most recent value reflected the excellent situation in PMR compared to other OECD nations. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, we could observe the encouraging levels of PMR in Korea. We speculate that following efforts should be accompanied to achieve further improvement in PMR, such as improvements in neonatal and maternity transfer system, establishment in perinatal care centers, and establishment in perinatal research network system in Korea.

Analysis of Infant Mortality Rate in Korea Concerning According to Birth Weight and Gestational Age from 2005 to 2009

PURPOSE: Recently in Korea, there have been significant improvements in neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR). This study aimed to investigate the proportion of the NMR among IMR, with the goal of discerning the influence of improved NMR on the reduction of IMR in the last 5 years in Korea. METHODS: All data were from Statistics Korea. Changes in the NMR percentage among IMR and the percentage of the death by the distribution of the birth weight and gestational were investigated. RESULTS: The total birth rate decreased, but the total number of preterm and low birth weight infants increased. These was a large decrease in NMR and IMR. The proportion of NMR among INR exceeded 50%. Early NMR was higher than late NMR. Among the total infant death, the mortality of preterm and low birth weight infants was high. CONCLUSION: Between 2005 and 2009, the total birth has declined in Korea, but the frequency of low birth weight infants is trending upward. The improvements in NMR and IMR, and the downtrend of the NMR percentage in IMR, are encouraging. It seems that the continued decrease of mortality of preterm and LBWI is required for better improvements NMR and IMR in Korea. This result is expected to be used for the basic data to improve the management of the newborns in Korea.

Regional Analysis on the Incidence of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infant and the Current Situation on the Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Korea, 2009

PURPOSE: Recently, the incidence of preterm and low birth weight infants (LBWI) is increasing, even though the birth rate is continuously low in Korea. Despite that change, there continues to be a deficit of beds in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study is based on the 2009 Korean Statistical Information Service that examined the development of a Korean NICU service and the survival rate of preterm infants by regionally analyzing the rate of total live births, preterm infants, LBWI, and NICU beds in Korea. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and Korean Statistical Information Service. We confirmed the regional total live birth rate, number of LBWI, and preterm infants and NICU numbers, and all of the results were compared to the average value to determine deficient areas of NICU beds. RESULTS: There were 25,374 (5.7%) preterm infants and 21,954 (4.9%) LBWI in the total number of live births (444,849) in 2009, and regions of high proportion compared to the mean value were Busan, Daegu, and Ulsan. Total NICU beds totaled 1,284, and regions of high rates preterm infants and LBWI per 1 NICU bed compared to the mean value were Incheon, Daegu, Ulsan, etc. The NICU holding rate was 87.5% (1,284/1,468), which was increased from 2005. However, there were still shortages of 184 NICU beds (12.5%), especially in Gyeonggi-do, which lacked 157 beds. CONCLUSION: High risk neonates difficult to transfer, and they need immediate and continuous treatment. As a result, a foundation of well-balanced, national NICU regionalization is necessary. This study suggested that more NICU facilities must be implemented, and clinicians should realize the continuing deficiency of NICU beds in cities and provinces.

Changes of Maternal Age Distribution in Live Births and Incidence of Low Birth Weight Infants in Advanced Maternal Age Group in Korea / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to identify the demographic changes of maternal age distribution in live births and incidence of low birth weight infants in advanced maternal age (> or =35 years of age) group at the time of birth in Korea. METHODS: Birth statistics in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2008 were collected from Korean Statistical Information Service. Based on the data, total births in each group were 715,000, 634,000, 435,000, and 465,000, respectively. Maternal age distribution ranged from the age of 15 to 50, which were all fertile women. Infants were divided into groups according to birth weight. After maternal age distribution of each year and proportion of advanced maternal age group were examined, a retrospective analysis was conducted on incidence of low birth weight infant (LBWI) in advanced age pregnancy. RESULTS: Number of live births was constantly decreasing during the period of investigation. There was a shift in maternal age distribution; fertile women of the age of 25 to 29 accounted for 54.2% and 51.7% in 1995 and 2000 respectively, whereas those of the age 30 to 34 accounted for 40.8% and 42.7% in 2005 and 2008, respectively. Rate of delivery in elderly gravida were 4.8%, 6.9%, 10.8%, 14.5% in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2008 respectively, showing a rapid increase. Of the live births, LBWI accounted for 3.0%, 3.8%, 4.3%, 4.9%, thus being increased by about 1.5 times. Overall, with rates of 7.8%, 10.3%, 15.2%, 19.0%, respectively, the proportion of advanced maternal age group with resultant LBWI was higher than that of elderly gravida alone. CONCLUSION: While there has been a constant decrease in number of live births in the last decade in Korea, proportion of advanced maternal age group is rapidly increasing and incidence of LBWI is also gradually increasing. Furthermore, considering that the incidence of LBWI among elderly gravida was increased by a higher degree than proportion of elderly gravida in maternal age distribution, maternal age can be one of the factors causing LBWI.

Recent Advances of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT)

Diarrheal disease is one of the leading causes of worldwide morbidity and mortality, especially in children. It causes loss of body fluid, which may lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, shock and even to death. The mortality rate from acute diarrhea has decreased over the last few decades. This decline, especially in developing countries is largely due to the implantation of the standard World Health Organization-oral rehydration solution (WHO-ORS). However, the use of standard ORS has been limited by its inability to reduce fecal volume or diarrhea duration. Subsequently, this has led to various attempts to modify its compositions. And these modifications include the use of reduced osmolarity ORS, polymer-based ORS and zinc supplementation. Some of these variations have been successful and others are still under investigation. Therefore, further trials are needed to progress toward the ideal ORS. In this article, we briefly reviewed the pathophysiologic basis of the ORS, followed by the standard WHO-ORS and several modifications to improve the ORS.

Association Study between CCL-2 and CCL-5 Polymorphisms and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Childhood IgA Nephropathy

PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested that Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-2 (CCL-2; also known as MCP-1) and CCL-5 (also known as RANTES) are possibly associated with the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and non-inflammatory renal diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate association of polymorphisms of CCL-2 and CCL-5 genes with childhood IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: The authors analyzed six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CCL-2 and CCL-5 in 196 pediatric IgAN patients and in 285 healthy controls. We compared variations in SNPs between two several sets of IgAN subgroups, allocated by presence of proteinuria (>4 mg/m2/hour), podocyte foot process effacement, and pathologically advanced disease markers, such as interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, or global sclerosis. RESULTS: Genotypic data of IgAN patients and controls showed no significant SNP frequency difference in both of of CCL-2 and CCL-5. Even though two linkage disequilibrium blocks were formed, there was no significance in the haplotype analysis. In the patient subgroup analysis, no SNP of CCL-2 and CCL-5 was found to be associated with the presence of proteinuria, podocyte foot process effacement, and pathologically advanced disease markers. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that no association exists between CCL-2 and CCL-5 SNPs and childhood IgAN susceptibility, and presence of proteinuria, podocyte foot process effacement, and pathologic progression of IgAN.

Association of HLA-G gene promoter haplotype with childhood IgA nephropathy in the Korean population / 소아과

PURPOSE: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most commonly occurring form of chronic glomerulonephritis in pediatric cases. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have been implicated in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the HLA-G gene and childhood IgAN. METHODS: The authors analyzed and compared HLA-G gene SNPs (rs1736936 and rs2735022) in 174 patients with childhood IgAN and in 438 healthy controls. In addition, IgAN patients were dichotomized and compared with respect to proteinuria (4 mg/m2/hour), the presence or absence of podocyte foot process effacement, and the presence of pathologically early and advanced disease markers such as interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, or global sclerosis. RESULTS: No significant SNP frequency differences were observed for the HLA-G gene between IgAN patients and the control group. Moreover, no significantly associated SNP was observed with the presence of proteinuria, podocyte foot process effacement, or pathologically advanced markers. However, the haplotype, composed of rs1736936 and rs2735022, showed a significant association with the susceptibility to develop childhood IgAN (haplotype T/C: dominant model, P=0.049; haplotype C/T: recessive model, P=0.030). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that rs1736936 and rs2735022 as the HLA-G gene promoter haplotype might be associated with the susceptibility to develop childhood IgAN in the Korean population.

Multiple births conceived by assisted reproductive technology in Korea / 소아과

PURPOSE: The recent trends of multiple births (MBs) conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Korea were analyzed as well as the relationship with maternal age, especially advanced maternal age. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service and annual ART reports from the ART committee of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. RESULTS: MBs increased from the early 1990s; there was a 275% increase by 2008. The number of total live births was 448,153 and MBs accounted for 10,767; the MB rate was 24.0% in 2006. Among 2,326 deliveries conceived by ART, multiple deliveries accounted for 786 (33.8%). The total number of live births with ART was 3,125 and 1,585 (50.7%) of them were MBs. During 2006, 14.7% of the entire MBs in Korea were associated with ART. The proportion of women of advanced maternal age was much higher in the ART group than in the total live birth group. CONCLUSION: MBs in women of advanced maternal age have been increasing in Korea with the use of ART. The results of this study showed that ART was a significant factor associated with the increase in MBs in Korea.

Recent Trends in the Incidence of Multiple Births and Its Consequences on Perinatal Problems in Korea

The aim of this study was to survey multiple birth data and to analyze the recent trends of multiple births and its consequences on perinatal problems in Korea from 1991 to 2008. Data were obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service. The total number of multiple births showed increasing trends. The multiple birth rate was maintained within less than 10.0 for the decade from 1981 to 1990. However, it increased gradually to reach 27.5 in 2008. The maternal age for multiple births was higher than for total live births. The mean birth weight of the total live births was 3.23 kg; for the multiple births it was 2.40 kg in 2008. The incidence of low birth weight infants (LBWI) among total live births was 3.8% in 2000 and 4.9% in 2008. For multiple births it was 49.2% and 53.0% during the same years. The incidence of preterm births among total live births was 3.8% in 2000 and 5.5% in 2008; for the multiple births it was 38.3% and 51.5% during the same years. The incidence of multiple births and its consequences on perinatal problems (preterm, LBWI, and advanced-maternal age) have been increased steadily over the last two decades in Korea.

Association between polymorphisms in Interleukin-17 receptor A gene and childhood IgA nephropathy / 소아과

PURPOSE: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is produced by activated CD4+T cells and exhibits pleiotropic biological activity on various cell types. IL-17 was reported to be involved in the immunoregulatory response in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Our aim was to investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) gene and childhood IgAN. METHODS: We analyzed the SNPs in the IL-17RA in 156 children with biopsy-proven IgAN and 245 healthy controls. We divided the IgAN patients into 2 groups and compared them with respect to proteinuria (4 mg/m2/h, 40 mg/m2/h, respectively) and the presence of pathological levels of biomarkers of diseases such as interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, or global sclerosis. RESULTS: No difference was observed between the SNP genotypes rs2895332, rs1468488, and rs4819553 between IgAN patients and control subjects. In addition, no significant difference was observed between allele frequency of SNPs rs2895 332, rs1468488, and rs4819553 between patients in the early and advanced stage of the disease. However, significant difference was observed between the genotype of SNP rs2895332 between patients with proteinuria (>4 mg/m2/h) and those without proteinuria (codominant model OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-0.66, P<0.001; dominant model OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-0.69 P=0.002; recessive model OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-1.06 P=0.025). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the SNP in IL-17RA (rs2895332) may be related to the development of proteinuria in IgAN patients.

Rehospitalization Rate and Medical Cost of Infants in the First Year after Discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units

PURPOSE: Because infants who have been hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are usually ill or premature, they are hospitalized repeatedly after their discharge. We intended to survey the frequencies and the medical costs of those rehospitalizations. METHODS: The NICUs of 7 major hospitals were included. The subjects were 3,451 infants that were admitted to the NICU from July 2005 to June 2006, and discharged to home. The frequency, causes, mean cost and distribution and proportion of National Health Insurance coverage and non covered costs were analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of rehospitalization after discharge from the NICU over 1 year was 14.8%. If multiple cases are considered as individual cases, it is 21.7%. The major causes of admission were pneumonia (15.8%), bronchiolitis (14.5%), gastroenteritis (10.4%), urinary tract infection (6.3%) and sepsis (6.3%). The mean cost for each admission was 1,652 thousand won. The mean cost of National Health Insurance coverage was 1,170 thousand won and non covered coat were 472 thousand won 70.9% and 28.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: The ratio of rehospitalization of infants after their discharge from the NICU over 1 year was approximately 20% and it means that follow-up management of these infants is very important and meticulous concerns after discharge should be given. However the rehospitalization and the non-coverage proportion of National Health Insurance cost is considerably high. It strongly implies that National Health Insurance should cover much more proportion, and personal cost exemption should be proceeded in case of rehospitalization of infants after discharge from the NICU.

Birth Statistics and Mortality Rates for Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Korea during 2007: Collective Results from 57 Hospitals

PURPOSE:To evaluate the neonatal statistics on a national basis, data for birth characteristics and neonatal mortality were collected and analyzed from 57 hospitals in Korea. METHODS:Questionnaires were distributed to determine the characteristics of neonatal births and mortality rates in 57 hospitals in Korea during 2007. We analyzed the characteristics of all inborn births and hospitalized neonates in the neonatal care units (NICUs) and compared the results with published Korean data from 1996 and 2002. RESULTS:A total of 40,433 inborn live births were reported from the 57 hospitals during 2007. Pre-term, term, and post-term births comprised 24.2%, 75.6%, and 0.2% of the neonates, respectively. Low birth weight infants (LBWIs), very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs), and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) made up 22.0%, 4.6%, and 1.7% of the neonates, respectively. A total of 21,957 (collected by gestational period) and 21,356 (collected by birth weight) neonates were hospitalized in the 57 NICUs. Pre-term, term, and post-term neonates comprised 39.8%, 59.8%, and 0.4% of the neonates, respectively. LBWIs, VLBWIs, and ELBWIs made up 37.3%, 9.5%, and 3.3% of the neonates, respectively. Pre-term, term, and post-term neonates had mortality rates of 4.5%, 0.7%, and 3.7%, respectively, while the mortality rates of LBWIs, VLBWIs, and ELBWIs were 4.7%, 15.3%, and 32.2%, respectively. In comparison with prematurity data from 1996 and 2002, LBWIs, and ELBWIs had a marked increase in birth frequency and a decreased mortality rate in Korea during 2007. CONCLUSION:The number of live births and the survival rate of pre-term neonates, especially VLBWIs and ELBWIs, are increasing. Even though the outcomes of neonatal care are improving, further efforts to manage these premature infants are needed.