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BackgroundIntubation-Surfactant-Extubation (InSurE) and less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) are alternative surfactant replacement therapy methods for reducing the complications associated with invasive mechanical ventilation. This study aimed to compare the Classic, InSurE, and LISA methods in Very-Low-Birth-Weight infants (VLBWIs) in South Korea.MethodsThe Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) enrolled VLBWIs born between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. They were analyzed retrospectively to compare the duration of respiratory support, length of hospitalization, mortality, and short-term outcomes of the three groups.ResultsThe duration of invasive ventilator support was shorter in the following order: InSurE (3.99 ± 11.93 days), LISA (8.78 ± 29.32 days), and the Classic group (22.36 ± 29.94 days) (p = 0.014, p

Abstract Neonatal jaundice is a very common disease in newborns and can lead to brain damage or death in severe cases. Phototherapy with light‐emitting diode (LED) arrays is widely used as the easiest and fastest way to relieve jaundice in newborns, but it has distinct disadvantages such as loss of water in the patient, damage to the retina, and separation from parents. In this paper, a novel light source‐based phototherapy for neonatal jaundice is proposed using a textile‐based wearable organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) platform that can move flexibly and conform to the curvature of the human body. The soft and flexible textile‐based blue OLED platform is designed to have a peak wavelength of 470 nm, suitable for jaundice treatment, and shows performance (>20 µW cm−2 nm−1) suitable for intensive jaundice treatment even at low voltage (

Mycoplasma hominis can cause life-threatening central nervous system infections in neonates following intrauterine infection or during delivery. In newborns, the diagnosis and treatment of M. hominis meningitis are challenging, because cultures are often negative and the bacterium is not susceptible to empirical antibiotics. Herein, we describe a case of neonatal M. hominis meningitis diagnosed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and treated with ciprofloxacin. The patient was a 3-day-old female hospitalized for a fever and lethargy. Her blood laboratory findings were non-specific; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed a white blood cell count of 580/μL and indicated meningitis. Her symptoms could not be controlled with empirical antibiotics. Urine culture on a special medium revealed ciprofloxacin-susceptible M. hominis. Furthermore, the RT-PCR performed with the CSF sample revealed M. hominis. Therefore, the patient was administered ciprofloxacin; after 2 days, the fever subsided. The patient was discharged on day 30 without complications.

BackgroundRotavirus (RV) is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children worldwide. We aimed to investigate the incidence, symptoms, and genotype of RV infection in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in South Korea 5 years after the introduction of RV vaccination to evaluate its effect on newborn infants.MethodsA total of 431 fecal specimens were collected from patients admitted to NICU between April 20, 2012 and September 10, 2013. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to detect RV antigen. Nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used for genotyping.ResultsThe overall incidence of RV infection was 43.9% and was significantly higher in preterm infants, infants born in the study hospital, low birth weight infants, and cesarean births (P < 0.05). Symptoms of diarrhea, poor feeding, abdominal distension, and apnea were significantly higher in infants with RV infection than those without infection. RV infection gradually increased depending on infant care at home, postpartum clinic, or hospital (26.0, 45.1, and 60.2%, respectively; P = 0.000). The dominant RV genotype in the NICU was G4P[6] at 95.4%.ConclusionCurrent RV vaccines did not affect the incidence of RV infection in newborn and preterm infants in the NICU. Most RV-positive patients in the NICU had symptoms, and the incidence of RV infection was relatively higher in hospitals and postpartum clinics with group life than home. The dominant RV genotype was G4P[6] across study groups.

BackgroundMeconium-related ileus in very low birth weight infants can lead to increased morbidity or mortality and prolonged hospitalization without prompt diagnosis and treatment. This study primarily aimed to identify the incidence of and factors associated with meconium-related ileus and secondarily sought to investigate clinical and growth outcomes after water-soluble contrast media (Gastrografin) enema.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed medical records of very low birth weight infants born between February 2009 and March 2019 in the neonatal intensive care unit of a single medical center. Perinatal factors, clinical outcomes, and growth outcomes were compared between the group with meconium-related ileus that received Gastrografin enema and the control group.ResultsTwenty-four (6.9%) patients were diagnosed with meconium-related ileus among 347 very low birth weight infants. All achieved successful evacuation of meconium with an average of 2.8 (range: 1-8) Gastrografin enema attempts without procedure-related complications. Initiation of Gastrografin enema was performed at mean 7.0 days (range: 2-16) after birth. Incidences of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were higher and the duration of mechanical ventilation and need for oxygen were longer in the meconium-related ileus group (P = 0.039, 0.046, 0.048, respectively). Meconium-related ileus infants took more time to start enteral feeding and the nothing per oral time was longer (P = 0.001 and 0.018, respectively). However, time to achieve full enteral feeding and Z-scores for weight and height at 37 weeks and at 6 months corrected age did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionsGastrografin enema in very low birth weight infants with meconium-related ileus was an effective and safe medical management. Following Gastrografin enema, very low birth weight infants with meconium-related ileus achieved similar subsequent feeding progress and similar growth levels as the control groups without meconium-related ileus.

We herein characterized rotavirus infection in hospitalized children under 5 years of age with gastroenteritis after introducing rotavirus vaccines in South Korea from 20 February 2012, to 31 March 2013. Enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay was performed to detect rotavirus antigens. G and P genotyping was performed using nested multiplex PCR. For the failed PCR samples, sequencing was conducted. We performed a test-negative case-control study to estimate vaccine effectiveness. Vaccine effectiveness was measured using a multivariate logistic regression model. Rotavirus was detected in 16 (13.2%) of the 121 patients, with a seasonal peak in April 2012. The dominant genotypes detected were G3P[8] (33.3%) and G4P[6] (26.7%), and vaccine effectiveness against rotavirus hospitalization was 84.9% [95% CI: 23.2–97.0] in the complete vaccinated group. A higher prevalence of rotavirus infection was observed among children with siblings than those without siblings (p < 0.001). Also, the presence of siblings was significantly associated with a history of nonvaccination (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the prevalence of rotavirus followed a decreasing trend, and there was no evidence of emergences of nonvaccine-type strains. Vaccine effectiveness against rotavirus hospitalization was 84.9%. Although children with siblings were more susceptible to rotavirus infection, they were less likely to receive vaccination against rotavirus.

Background Chest compression (CC) during sustained inflations (CC+SI) compared with CC with asynchronized ventilation (CCaV) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in asphyxiated pediatric piglets will reduce time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Methods and Results Piglets (20–23 days of age, weighing 6.2–10.2 kg) were anesthetized, intubated, instrumented, and exposed to asphyxia. Cardiac arrest was defined as mean arterial blood pressure

Sprinkler skipping is an important issue in fire spread. In general, two sprinklers are installed in air conditioner rooms at the ceiling and 30 cm below to avoid spray failure by energy recovery ventilator in the ceiling. However, there is a problem in that sprinkler skipping occurs in the air conditioner room. In this study, the sprinkler skipping phenomenon was analyzed through numerical analysis and the applicability of the open type of sprinkler operation method was reviewed. As a result, when the upper sprinkler works, sprinkler skipping occurred in all cases. The lower sprinkler shall not rise above the operating temperature of 68.3 °C with a maximum temperature of 65 °C. In particular, the spray failure caused by the energy recovery ventilator reduces the sprinkler head temperature by more than 8 °C by concentrating the spray droplets. As an open type, simultaneous operation of two sprinklers is capable of obtaining an appropriate fire extinguishing effect by covering the fire source with the spray of the lower sprinkler. The research results are expected to help in fire protection in buildings such as modern apartments with air-conditioned rooms.

Background: Male newborns have a greater risk of poor cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes compared to females. The mechanisms associated with the “male disadvantage” remains unclear. We have previously shown no difference between male and female newborn piglets during hypoxia, asphyxia, resuscitation, and post-resuscitation recovery. However, it is unknown if there are differences in resuscitation outcomes between males and females during different cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques.Intervention and Measurements: Secondary analysis of 184 term newborn mixed breed duroc piglets (1–3 days of age, weighing 2.0 (0.2) kg) from seven different studies, which were exposed to 30–50 min of normocapnic hypoxia followed by asphyxia until asystole. This was followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For the analysis, piglets were divided into male and female groups, as well as resuscitation technique groups (sustained inflation, 3:1 compression-to-ventilation ratio, or asynchronous ventilations during chest compressions). Cardiac function, carotid blood flow, and cerebral oxygenation were continuously recorded throughout the experiment.Main results: Regardless of resuscitation technique, there was no significant difference between males and females in the number achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) [95/123 (77%) vs. 48/61 (79%)], the time to achieve ROSC [112 (80–185) s vs. 110 (77–186) s], and the 4-h survival rate [81/95 (85%) vs. 40/48 (83%)]. Levels of the injury markers interleukin (IL)−1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in frontoparietal cortex tissue homogenates were similar between males and females.Conclusions: Regardless of resuscitation technique, there was no significant effect of sex on resuscitation outcome, survival, and hemodynamic recovery in asphyxiated newborn piglets.

Approximately 0.1% for term and 10–15% of preterm infants receive chest compression (CC) in the delivery room, with high incidence of mortality and neurologic impairment. The poor prognosis associated with receiving CC in the delivery room has raised concerns as to whether specifically-tailored cardiopulmonary resuscitation methods are needed. The current neonatal resuscitation guidelines recommend a 3:1 compression:ventilation ratio; however, the most effective approach to deliver chest compression is unknown. We recently demonstrated that providing continuous chest compression superimposed with a high distending pressure or sustained inflation significantly reduced time to return of spontaneous circulation and mortality while improving respiratory and cardiovascular parameters in asphyxiated piglet and newborn infants. This review summarizes the current available evidence of continuous chest compression superimposed with a sustained inflation.

Advances in medicine and dietary standards over recent decades have remarkably increased human life expectancy. Unfortunately, the chance of developing age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), increases with increased life expectancy. High metabolic demands of neurons are met by mitochondria, damage of which is thought to contribute to the development of many NDDs including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mitochondrial damage is closely associated with the abnormal production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are widely known to be toxic in various cellular environments, including NDD contexts. Thus, ways to prevent or slow mitochondrial dysfunction are needed for the treatment of these NDDs. In this review, we first detail how ROS are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and review the cellular mechanisms, such as the mitochondrial quality control (MQC) system, by which neurons defend against both abnormal production of ROS and the subsequent accumulation of damaged mitochondria. We next highlight previous studies that link mitochondrial dysfunction with PD and how dietary antioxidants might provide reinforcement of the MQC system. Finally, we discuss how aging plays a role in mitochondrial dysfunction and PD before considering how healthy aging through proper diet and exercise may be salutary.

PurposeWe evaluated three blood glucose self-monitoring for measuring whole blood glucose levels in preterm and low-birth-weight infants.MethodsBetween December 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, 230 blood samples were collected from 50 newborns, who weighed, ≤2,300 g or were ≤36 weeks old, in the the neonatal intensive care unit of Eulji University Hospital. Three blood glucose self-monitoring (A: Precision Pcx, Abbott; B: One-Touch Verio, Johnson & Johnson; C: LifeScan SureStep Flexx, Johnson & Johnson) were used for the blood glucose measurements. The results were compared to those obtained using laboratory equipment (D: Advia chemical analyzer, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.).ResultsThe correlation coefficients between laboratory equipment and the three blood glucose self-monitoring (A, B, and C) were found to be 0.888, 0.884, and 0.900, respectively. For glucose levels≤60 mg/dL, the correlation coefficients were 0.674, 0.687, and 0.679, respectively. For glucose levels>60 mg/dL, the correlation coefficients were 0.822, 0.819, and 0.839, respectively. All correlation coefficients were statistically significant. And the values from the blood glucose self-monitoring were not significantly different from the value of the laboratory equipment , after correcting for each device's average value (P>0.05). When using laboratory equipment (blood glucose ≤60 mg/dL), each device had a sensitivity of 0.458, 0.604, and 0.688 and a specificity of 0.995, 0.989, and 0.989, respectively.ConclusionSignificant difference is not found between three blood glucose self-monitoring and laboratory equipment. But correlation between the measured values from blood glucose self-monitoring and laboratory equipment is lower in preterm or low-birth-weight infants than adults.

Harlequin syndrome, which is a rare disorder caused by dysfunction of the autonomic system, manifests as asymmetric facial flushing and sweating in response to heat, exercise, or emotional factors. The syndrome may be primary (idiopathic) with a benign course, or can occur secondary to structural abnormalities or iatrogenic factors. The precise mechanism underlying idiopathic harlequin syndrome remains unclear. Here, we describe a case of a 6-year-old boy who reported left hemifacial flushing and sweating after exercise. He had an unremarkable birth history and no significant medical history. Complete ophthalmological and neurological examinations were performed, and no other abnormalities were identified. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to exclude lesions of the cerebrum and cervicothoracic spinal cord, and no abnormalities were noted. His final diagnosis was classic idiopathic harlequin syndrome. Herein, we report the first pediatric case of idiopathic harlequin syndrome in Korea.