Visual acuity, optical components, and macular abnormalities in patients with a history of retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To examine the optical components and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to identify any associations between the OCT findings and the visual acuities of the patients.

Design: Prospective, case-controlled study.

Participants And Controls: Children who were between 6 and 14 years of age were divided into the following 4 groups: Patients with a history of threshold ROP who had been treated using laser therapy or cryotherapy (group 1), patients with regressed ROP who had not received any treatment (group 2), patients who were born prematurely but who had no history of ROP (group 3), and normal full-term children (group 4).

AdimFlu-S(®) influenza A (H1N1) vaccine during pregnancy: the Taiwanese Pharmacovigilance Survey.

Background: This study evaluated the incidence, nature, and seriousness of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurring after AdimFlu-S(®) influenza A (H1N1) vaccination in pregnant women was administered.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. Between October 2009 and February 2010, 198 pregnant women who had received the AdimFlu-S(®) influenza A (H1N1) vaccine during pregnancy and 198 age-matched pregnant women who had not received influenza vaccine were included and recorded.

Modified 23-gauge vitrectomy system for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of a novel, modified 23-gauge vitrectomy system in the treatment of stage 4 retinal detachment in retinopathy of prematurity.

Methods: Consecutive patients with stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity treated with modified 23-gauge vitrectomy were included in this medical record review. Major novel modifications included the use of a small infusion cannula, a 20-gauge blade for the creation of sclerotomies in the pars plicata, and a 23-gauge endoilluminator and vitreous cutter.

Enterovirus 71 maternal antibodies in infants, Taiwan.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) causes life-threatening disease outbreaks in young children in Asia. This cohort study was conducted to understand the dynamics of maternal EV71 antibodies in Taiwanese young infants. Approximately 50% of neonates had detectable EV71 neutralizing antibodies, which declined to almost undetectable levels by 6 months of age.

Viral load in blood is correlated with disease severity of neonatal coxsackievirus B3 infection: early diagnosis and predicting disease severity is possible in severe neonatal enterovirus infection.

We conducted a study during an outbreak of coxsackievirus B3 infection in 2005 and found that viral RNA could be detected in patients' blood specimens soon after the onset of fever, and the level of viral RNA was positively correlated with disease severity. Timely diagnosis is possible in severe neonatal enterovirus infection.

Neonatal enterovirus infections: emphasis on risk factors of severe and fatal infections.

Objectives: Neonatal enterovirus infections have diverse manifestations, from asymptomatic to fatal. An understanding of the risk factors associated with severe cases might help to reduce enterovirus-related morbidity and mortality.

Methods: From July 1989 through June 1998, neonates with virus culture-confirmed nonpolio enterovirus infection at Chang Gung Children's Hospital were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups: nonspecific febrile illness; aseptic meningitis; and hepatic necrosis with coagulopathy (HNC).