Thyroid dysfunctions of prematurity and their impacts on neurodevelopmental outcome.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is very common and is associated with neurodevelopmental impairments in preterm infants.

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the incidence and natural course of various thyroid dysfunctions and their impacts on neurodevelopmental outcomes among premature infants.

Methods: A total of 177 infants were enrolled who were born at <34 weeks or whose birth weight was <1500 g and who underwent repeat thyroid function tests.

An 18-year experience of tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia.

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%.

Effect of furosemide on ductal closure and renal function in indomethacin-treated preterm infants during the early neonatal period.

Background: Furosemide is known to increase renal prostaglandin synthesis. However, its influence on ductal closure and renal toxicities of indomethacin in preterm infants has not been conclusive, especially during the early neonatal period.

Objectives: To identify the effects of furosemide after indomethacin administration on the rate of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure and renal function in preterm infants.

Impact of fetal echocardiography on trends in disease patterns and outcomes of congenital heart disease in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common developmental malformation and the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The introduction of fetal echocardiography has made prenatal diagnosis of CHD possible.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of fetal echocardiography on the changing disease patterns and outcomes of CHD.

Neonatal pulmonary sequestration: clinical experience with transumbilical arterial embolization.

Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare congenital malformation of the lower respiratory tract. The exact natural course of PS is not well understood and there are no well-established treatment guidelines for antenatally diagnosed PS. The aim of this study was to describe clinical outcomes in neonates with PS and to evaluate the efficacy of transumbilical arterial embolization (TUE).

Clinical outcomes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-colonized neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization can persist for prolonged periods, and patient-related factors are associated with persistent carriage in adults. However, such knowledge is lacking among neonates.

Objectives: To better understand the outcome of MRSA-colonized neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we prospectively followed all colonized neonates until decolonization over 39 months and determined the incidence, duration of colonization, clinical outcomes and risk factors associated with prolonged carriage of MRSA.

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.

Scoring method for early prediction of neonatal chronic lung disease using modified respiratory parameters.

In our previous study, we have demonstrated that peak inspiratory pressure over birth weight (PIP/kg) and mean airway pressure over birth weight (MAP/kg) were more significant risk factors for the development of neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD) than PIP and MAP. We aimed to develop a scoring method using the modified respiratory variables (SMUMRV) to predict CLD at early postnatal period. From 1997 to 1999, a retrospective review was performed for 197 infants <1,500 g for the development of the SMUMRV based on statistical analysis.

Postnatal risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity.

To investigate the postnatal risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), we analysed demographic and clinical data abstracted from the medical records of 425 premature babies who were examined for ROP between January 1994 and December 1998 at Asan Medical Centre, Seoul, Korea. ROP developed in 20.7% of the cases studied.

Transcatheter arterial embolization of pulmonary sequestration in neonates: long-term follow-up results.

The purposes of this study are to describe experience with the safety and long-term efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of pulmonary sequestration in neonates and to introduce a new technique of embolization by an umbilical-artery route. TAE was performed in five neonates, via the femoral artery in one and the umbilical artery in four. Complete regression was achieved in four cases and partial regression (>90%) was obtained in one.