Graves' disease, the main cause of hyperthyroidism in the pediatric age group, is very rare in children younger than 4 years old but can seriously interfere with growth and development if not recognized and treated. Here we report a case of a 3-year-old girl with Graves' disease who presented with goiter, exophthalmos, heat intolerance, and hyperactivity. At her first visit, her serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (free T4) were normal, whereas that of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was decreased. Antimicrosomal antibody was 7,053.94 IU/mL, and TSH-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin was 31.62%. A thyroid scan showed diffuse enlargement with markedly increased uptake of both thyroid glands. Although T3 and free T4 levels were initially normal, she developed hyperthyroidism 3 months later. She was finally diagnosed with Graves' disease and treated with methimazole for 6 months. This is the first report of Graves' disease in children younger than 4 years old in Korea.

Prophylactic surfactant is known to be effective to reduce chronic lung disease in preterm infants compared with rescue surfactant treatment. In Korea, early prophylactic surfactant therapy was introduced in 2011. However, recently, the increased utilization of antenatal steroids and early stabilization through continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the delivery room may have changed the risks and benefits of prophylactic surfactant therapy of infants at high risk of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). We compared the effects and safety of prophylactic surfactant therapy (within 30 minutes after birth) and early selective surfactant therapy (within 3 hours after birth) in preterm infants born at < 30 weeks gestation or with birth weight ≤ 1,250 g. The clinical data of 193 infants in period 1 (from 2008 to 2010, early selective surfactant therapy group) were collected retrospectively; those of 191 infants in period 2 (from 2012 to 2014, prophylactic surfactant therapy group) were collected prospectively. Compared to period 1, the rate of intubation and surfactant use were significantly increased in period 2. The use of multiple doses of surfactant in period 2 was significantly increased compared with period 1. Despite more invasive and aggressive management in period 2, there was no difference in the duration of mechanical ventilation, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or death, and the risk of other adverse neonatal outcomes between the 2 groups. In conclusion, the benefit of prophylactic surfactant therapy in infants treated under current practices is no longer clear compared to early selective surfactant therapy.

Purpose:The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of early onset sepsis (EOS) in micropreemie. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 107 extremely preterm infants born at 25 or less than 25 weeks of gestation and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2013 to August 2015. Infants were divided into two groups based on the presence of culture-proven EOS in the first 7 days of life. Retrospective analysis of perinatal factors and laboratory findings within the first week of life was done between two groups. We compared the neonatal outcomes among two groups. Results: Culture-proven EOS was diagnosed in 11 of 107 infants (10.3%). Main pathogen of EOS was Staphylococcus epidermidis (45.5%). There were no significant differences between control group and EOS group in gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, delivery type and pathologic chorioamnionitis. Among 11 infants with EOS, 9 showed fetal tachycardia (P=0.001). And EOS group presented lower platelet count at 3 rd day and 7 th day of life than that of control group (P=0.033, P=0.045). Neonatal outcomes in EOS group were compatible with control group. Main cause of death was sepsis in EOS group. Conclusion: In micropreemie, EOS is important factor of mortality. Our data suggest that fetal tachycardia and low platelet count during the first 7 days of life were associated with EOS.