Dae Yong Yi

Hepatobiliary risk factors for clinical outcome of Kawasaki disease in children.

BackgroundKawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vasculitis that causes coronary artery abnormality (CAA) as a complication. In some patients, an association has been noted between elevated liver enzymes or an abnormal gallbladder (GB) and hepatobiliary involvement in KD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic (USG) risk factors of hepatobiliary involvement for the intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance and the development of CAA in children with KD.MethodsFrom March 2004 through January 2013, clinical features, laboratory data, echocardiographic findings, and USG findings were retrospectively reviewed regarding the response to IVIG treatment and coronary artery complications in 67 children with KD. Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) was diagnosed based on USG criteria.ResultsAmong all factors, only the prothrombin time international normalized ratio was significantly different between the IVIG-response and IVIG-resistance groups (p = 0.024). CAA was statistically more frequent in the AAC group (n = 24) than in the non-AAC group (n = 43) (23.3% vs. 58.3%, p = 0.019). Among the laboratory factors, segmented neutrophil percentage, total bilirubin level, and C-reactive protein were significant in children with CAA (p = 0.014, p = 0.009, and p = 0.010). Abnormal GB findings on USG were significantly more frequent in children with CAA than in those without CAA (p = 0.007; OR = 4.620; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.574–13.558). GB distension on USG was the only significant risk factor for CAA (p = 0.001; OR = 7.288; 95% CI: 2.243–23.681) by using multiple logistic regression analysis.ConclusionFor children in the acute phase of KD, USG findings of the GB, especially GB distension, may be an important risk factor for CAA as a complication.

Comparison between a pediatric health promotion center and a pediatric obesity clinic in detecting metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children.

This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of health check-ups in children in detecting metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by comparing the pediatric health promotion center with the pediatric obesity clinic. Children who visited a pediatric health promotion center (n=218) or a pediatric obesity clinic (n=178) were included. Anthropometric data, blood pressure, laboratory tests, and abdominal ultrasonography were evaluated. Two different criteria were applied to diagnose metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the 2 units was 3.2%-3.7% in a pediatric health promotion center and 23%-33.2% in a pediatric obesity clinic. Significant differences were observed in the prevalence of each component of metabolic syndrome between the 2 units including abdominal adiposity, blood pressure, serum triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose (P<0.05). The prevalence of NAFLD was 8.7% and 71.9% in the 2 units according to liver enzymes and 5.9% and 61.8% according to ultrasonography (P<0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD was higher among patients visiting the obesity clinic targeting obese children than that among patients visiting the health promotion center offering routine check-ups. An obesity-oriented approach is required to prevent obesity-related health problems in children. Graphical Abstract

ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA SECONDARY TO CHEMORADIOTHERAPY FOR PERIVASCULAR EPITHELIOID CELL TUMOR OF UTERUS

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a primary hematologic malignancy that is especially common in childhood, occurs relatively rarely as a secondary malignant neoplasm. Available data indicate that ALL often follows chemoradiotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma. Perivascular epithelioid tumor (PEComa), a primitive mesenchymal tissue origin, can be classified as a soft tissue sarcoma. An 11-year-old girl was diagnosed with ALL secondary to chemoradiotherapy (vincristine, ifosfamide, and anthracycline) and radiotherapy comprising 45 Gy to the whole pelvis for PEComa. ALL, FAB L2, and immunophenotypically pro-B developed 16 months after the final chemotherapy treatment. Moreover, a cytogenetic study of lymphoblasts showed t(1;11)(p32;q23). Herein, the authors report a case of secondary ALL that might be related to a previously used intercalating DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor (anthracycline) for a very rare sarcoma, PEComa.

Vitamin D Status and Bone Mineral Density in Obese Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to vitamin D and bone health in obese children is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate vitamin D status and bone mineral density (BMD) in obese children according to their condition within the NAFLD spectrum. Anthropometric data, laboratory tests, and abdominal ultrasonography were obtained from 94 obese children. The subjects were divided into three groups according to NAFLD spectrum: normal liver, simple steatosis, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although there were no differences in vitamin D levels between the three groups, these groups showed significant differences in highly sensitive C-reactive protein (P=0.044), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P=0.02), hepatic fibrosis scores (P<0.05), and trunk fat percentage (P=0.025). Although there were significant differences in BMDs, the age-matched BMD z-scores were not significantly different between the three groups. Serum vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with age (r=-0.368, P=0.023), serum uric acid levels (r=-0.371, P=0.022), fibrosis 4 (FIB4) (r=-0.406, P=0.011), and HOMA-IR (r=-0.530, P=0.001) in obese children with NASH. Multiple regression analysis for vitamin D in the NASH group revealed age and HOMA-IR as significant factors. In conclusion, inflammatory markers, hepatic fibrosis scores, trunk fat, and insulin resistance may reflect the spectrum of NAFLD in obese children, whereas vitamin D levels and BMD may not. In patients with NASH, however, low serum vitamin D is associated with hepatic fibrosis and insulin resistance, but not with bone health status.

Enteral Nutrition in Pediatric Patients

Pediatric patients require specialized attention and have diverse demands for proper growth and development, and thus need a different approach and interest in nutritional assessment and supply. Enteral nutrition is the most basic and important method of nutritional intervention, and its indications should be identified. Also, the sites, modes, types, and timing of nutritional intervention according to the patients condition should be determined. In addition, various complications associated with enteral nutrition supply should be identified, and prevention and treatment are required. This approach to enteral nutrition and proper administration can help in the proper growth and recovery of pediatric patients with nutritional imbalances or nutritional needs.

Accuracy of low dose CT in the diagnosis of appendicitis in childhood and comparison with USG and standard dose CT

OBJECTIVES Computed tomography should be performed after careful consideration due to radiation hazard, which is why interest in low dose CT has increased recently in acute appendicitis. Previous studies have been performed in adult and adolescents populations, but no studies have reported on the efficacy of using low-dose CT in children younger than 10 years. METHODS Patients (n=475) younger than 10 years who were examined for acute appendicitis were recruited. Subjects were divided into three groups according to the examinations performed: low-dose CT, ultrasonography, and standard-dose CT. Subjects were categorized according to age and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS Low-dose CT was a contributive tool in diagnosing appendicitis, and it was an adequate method, when compared with ultrasonography and standard-dose CT in terms of sensitivity (95.5% vs. 95.0% and 94.5%, p=0.794), specificity (94.9% vs. 80.0% and 98.8%, p=0.024), positive-predictive value (96.4% vs. 92.7% and 97.2%, p=0.019), and negative-predictive value (93.7% vs. 85.7% and 91.3%, p=0.890). Low-dose CT accurately diagnosed patients with a perforated appendix. Acute appendicitis was effectively diagnosed using low-dose CT in both early and middle childhood. BMI did not influence the accuracy of detecting acute appendicitis on low-dose CT. CONCLUSION Low-dose CT is effective and accurate for diagnosing acute appendicitis in childhood, as well as in adolescents and young adults. Additionally, low-dose CT was relatively accurate, irrespective of age or BMI, for detecting acute appendicitis. Therefore, low-dose CT is recommended for assessing children with suspected acute appendicitis.

Assessment of the association between Apgar scores and seizures in infants less than 1 year old

PURPOSE The study aimed to assess the association between Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min after birth and seizures in infants less than 1 year old. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, observational, hospital-based study by utilising medical records from the Chung-Ang University Hospital admissions from January 2006 to May 2015 in order to identify infants less than 1 year old who had a history of seizures. Using electronic medical records, infants who were diagnosed with infantile seizures at the Chung-Ang University Hospital from January 2006 to May 2015 were included in the seizure group (n=93), and a control group consisting of 296 age-matched cases without a history of seizures was selected from a group of infants born at Chung-Ang University Hospital during the same study period. RESULTS We found that Apgar scores were significant risk factors for infantile seizures. Apgar scores differed depending on gestational age and birth weight. We found strong associations between Apgar scores and infantile seizures in the full-term and the normal-birth weight groups (bodyweight ≥2.5 kg), regardless of delivery mode. The Apgar scores were inversely correlated with the EEG class, and only the 1-min Apgar scores were correlated with MRI findings. CONCLUSION Low Apgar scores are significant perinatal risk factors for infantile seizures, especially in full-term and normal-birth weight infants, and have a strong negative linear relationship with EEG and brain MRI results in the seizure group.

Measurement and Estimation of Renal Size by Computed Tomography in Korean Children

Adequate organ growth is an important aspect of growth evaluation in children. Renal size is an important indicator of adequate renal growth; computed tomography (CT) can closely estimate actual kidney size. However, insufficient data are available on normal renal size as measured by CT. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships of anthropometric indices with renal length and volume measured by CT in Korean pediatric patients. Renal length and volume were measured using CT images in 272 pediatric patients (age < 18 years) without renal disease. Data for anthropometric indices—including height, weight, and body surface area (BSA)—were obtained using medical records. Using the equation for an ellipsoid, renal volume was calculated in cubic centimeters. Height showed greatest correlation with renal length on stepwise multiple linear regression analysis; BSA showed the strongest significant correlation with renal volume. The mean renal size for each age group and height group was determined; it showed a tendency to increase with age and height. This is the first Korean study to report the relationship between body indices and renal size measured by CT. These results can serve as normative standards for assessing adequate renal growth.

A Case of Intussusception with Acute Appendicitis

In children presenting to hospital with gastrointestinal symptoms, diseases such as intussusception and acute appendicitis require particular attention and careful examination. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are important because of possible severe complications such as peritonitis and death. Intussusception and appendicitis share similar clinical manifestations. More importantly, the presence of acute appendicitis together with intussusception in children is very rare. We describe an interesting case of a 38-month-old boy who presented with abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant. His vital signs were stable and laboratory test findings showed no specific alterations. We detected tenderness in the right lower quadrant. A computed tomography scan showed an ileocolic intussusception with no strangulation and diffuse wall thickening of the appendix trapped within the intussusception. The patient underwent an appendectomy and manual reduction.

Ultrasonographic Gallbladder Abnormality of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Children and Its Influence on Clinical Outcome.

AbstractThe incidence of pediatric acute inflammatory gallbladder (GB) disease without gallstone such as acute acalculous cholecystitis has increased with the development of improved diagnostic modalities. Although Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection is common in general population, only few cases of GB diseases caused by EBV infection have been reported. This study analyzed ultrasonographic characteristics of primary EBV infection in children and evaluated the influence of EBV-associated GB disease on clinical course and outcome of EBV infection.Between March 2004 and January 2013, 94 of 287 pediatric patients with EBV infection underwent abdominal ultrasonography (USG); clinical features, laboratory data, and USG findings were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Of 94 children, ultrasonographic thick GB wall was observed in 24 (25.3%). Platelet counts were lower in the thickened GB wall group than in the normal GB wall thickness group (P = 0.004). Direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and &ggr;-glutamyl transferase levels were higher in the thickened GB wall group (P = 0.000, P = 0.041, and P = 0.001, respectively). The duration of hospitalization was longer in patients with thickened GB wall (P = 0.043).Radiologic findings of acute acalculous inflammatory GB disease such as thickened GB wall caused by primary EBV infection are more common than previously reported. Consideration of EBV infection in the differential diagnosis of children suspected with acute acalculous GB diseases may avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.