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Biomedical subjects

M H Chang

Publications and source records attributed to M H Chang.

250 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Gastrointestinal perforation in infants: cases unrelated to necrotizing enterocolitis.

From January 1984 to March 1992, there were 19 infants admitted to our hospital with gastrointestinal perforation not associated with necrotizing enterocolitis. Seven patients (37%) were premature. Six patients (32%) had their perforations located in the stomach, 9 (47%) in the small intestine, and 3 (16%) in the colon. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal distention (95%). Pneumoperitoneum was noted only in 12 (63%) patients. About 60% of the patients had the perforation occur before 4 days of age. The predominant cause of perforation was unknown, so called spontaneous perforation (8/19, 42%), followed by ischemia or infarction (5/19, 26%). The overall mortality rate was 32%. The non-survivors had more severe metabolic acidosis than the survivors, but there were no differences in the birthweight and gestational ages of these two groups. Sepsis accounted for 83% of the deaths. Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to promote survival.

Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fungal esophagitis in children.

Seven patients were endoscopically diagnosed as having a fungal esophagitis with mycologic or histologic support for the diagnosis from 1979 to 1991 in the Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital. The major causative agent was Candida albicans. Other fungi isolated were Candida Krusei, Trichosporon cutaneum, Trichosporon beigelii, and Rhodotorula rubra, but they all resembled one another under endoscopic examination. The most common presenting symptom was hematemesis, and the lower part of the esophagus was more often involved. Only one patient was documented to have oral thrush. Most of the children did not present typical symptoms of esophagitis such as dysphagia or odynophagia, and they tended to be in more advanced stages of the disease when the diagnosis was made.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indices of body proportionality in neonates.

The inadequacy of using body weight alone to evaluate fetal skeletal and soft-tissue growth has long been recognized. Body proportionality indices could identify symptomatic newborn infants better than size-for-date classification. Lack of normative data precludes its being used, practically, in Chinese newborns. Thus body weight, body length, head circumference and mid-arm circumference were measured in 240 neonates appropriate for gestational age, 27-42 weeks, 960-3918 g, to construct reference indices of body proportionality: ponderal index (PI), body mass index (BMI), weight/length ratio (W/L), head circumference/body length ratio (HC/L) and mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio (MAC/HC). All the five indices of body proportionality but HC/L were statistically correlated with gestational age (GA). For full-term newborns, PI did not correlate with GA. Furthers, the MAC/HC ratio decreased after 40 weeks' gestation. Therefore, when these indices of body proportionality are used to evaluate intrauterine nutritional status of a newborn, the appropriate standard for GA should be considered.

Body Constitution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in healthy children: two years' follow-up.

To investigate the long-term immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in children, 100 healthy children, aged between 1 and 7 years old and all lacking the antibody to hepatitis A (HA) virus, were enrolled in this trial. They received 3 doses of strain HM 175 HA vaccine with 360 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) units at 0, 1 and 6 months, respectively. Blood sampling for antibody and aminotransferases was performed 7 days before, then 1, 6, 7, 12, and 24 months after the first dose. The titers of antibody to HA virus were tested by radioimmunoassay and ELISA methods. All subjects became ELISA seropositive at Month 6 after two doses of vaccine. Except for one boy, 99 remained seropositive at Month 24, with a geometric mean titer of 1,148 mIU/ml. Antibody titers for females were significantly higher than those for males throughout the follow-up period. It was concluded that the inactivated HA vaccine used in the present trial was immunogenic and safe in children below seven years old. The vaccine-induced antibody persisted for at least two years in 99% of the vaccinees.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of liver abscess in children.

This study's purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage (US-PD) as treatment modality for pediatric pyogenic liver abscess when compared with other modalities. Ten consecutive patients, aged from 2 months to 22 years, were enrolled in this study. In addition to antibiotics, US-PD was attempted in each case unless the procedure was judged unsuitable. Six patients were treated with US-PD while four were not, for various reasons. US-PD was performed under an intravenous anesthesia and with the aid of real-time sonography. An indwelling pigtail catheter was usually inserted during US-PD. Fever subsided within one to six days, but the abscess cavity closed later. Failure to respond to US-PD may relate to the huge size of abscess cavity; surgical drainage provides an option. A trend toward a shorter hospital stay and defervescence day was found in the US-PD group than in the non-US-PD group. Prognosis was generally good and none in this series died of this disease or the procedure. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the pathogen most frequently encountered. Seven of the ten patients had underlying disease, and hemoglobinopathy was frequently associated. In conclusion, adequate drainage is recommended as the most effective treatment modality for pediatric liver abscess, and US-PD is the first choice.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rotavirus gastroenteritis associated with afebrile seizure in childhood.

From September 1994 to April 1995, we encountered eight children, two boys and six girls, (aged 1 year 6 months to 9 years), presented with acute diarrhea followed by afebrile, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, or transient loss of consciousness with urine incontinence. Their biochemical data, including serum electrolyte levels, were within normal limits. The infective agent causing diarrhea was later proved by stool examination to be rotavirus, judged to be serotype G1 by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) typing. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations performed in seven of the eight patients were within normal limits, and cultures for bacteria and virus were negative. The electroencephalograms (EEGs) performed from 1 to 13 days after seizure showed abnormal in six, and normal in two, patients. Follow-up EEGs, performed from 4 to 11 months after onset of seizure, were all normal. None had seizure recurrence despite the fact that no long-term anticonvulsant had been given. From observation here, the authors emphasize that there is a close relationship between rotavirus and afebrile seizure, and the course of afebrile seizure following rotavirus gastroenteritis is usually benign. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying pathogenesis.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chorea-ballismus with nonketotic hyperglycemia in primary diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To describe the neuroimaging (Ct, MR, and single-photon emission CT [SPECT]) findings in a series of patients with chorea-ballismus associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia in primary diabetes mellitus and to correlate the imaging findings with the clinical presentation. METHODS: The neuroimaging and clinical data from 10 patients with chorea-ballismus associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia in primary diabetes mellitus were evaluated. Family and drug histories, as well as other causes of chorea, were excluded. All 10 patients had CT, 5 also had MR imaging, and 3 had SPECT examinations. Three had follow-up CT and MR imaging studies, and MR findings were correlated with CT findings in 5 cases. Two experienced neuroradiologists, aware of the diagnosis but blinded to the clinical status of the patients, evaluated all images and reached a consensus as to the final interpretation. RESULTS: CT studies in 9 of 10 patients showed a hyperdense putamen and/or caudate nucleus; in 1, the CT findings were normal. T1-weighted MR images in all 5 patients who had MR imaging (including the patient with a normal CT study) showed hyperintense lesions without significant T2 signal alternation at the basal ganglia. In all 3 of the patients who had SPECT studies of the brain, the scans revealed hypoperfusion at corresponding areas. All 3 follow-up studies depicted resolution of the lesions in the abnormal basal ganglia. Increased hypointensity on T2-weighted and gradient-echo T2*-weighted images was also observed in the sequential MR images. In all patients, the initial side of involvement correlated well with the neuroimaging findings. The chorea resolved within 2 days after treatment of the hyperglycemia in 9 patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with chorea-ballismus associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia in primary diabetes mellitus, CT and T1-weighted MR images show unilateral or bilateral lesions of the putamen and/or caudate. SPECT scans show hypoperfusion. These findings may be related to petechial hemorrhage and/or myelin destruction. Early recognition of these imaging characteristics may facilitate diagnosis of primary diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia and prompt appropriate therapy.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Burkitt's lymphoma with intussusception mimicking a colonic polyp.

A 2-year-7-month old boy, presented with painless bloody stool was initially found to have an ulcerative, wide-based polyp in the ascending colon near the ileocecal region by colonoscopy. He received operation due to subsequent intussusception. Pathologic examination revealed an unusual case of polypoid Burkitt's lymphoma. The patient lives well 20 months later after receiving a standard chemotherapy. This case reminds us that colonic polyp and intussusception which is caused by Burkitt's lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis for a "wide-based polypoid" mass in the ascending colon.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulcer in children and adolescents.

To investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer in children and adolescents, the markers of H. pylori infection were studied in 22 children and adolescents who had duodenal ulcers and were followed prospectively (Group A). Another 36 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, but without ulcer, were also studied for comparison (Group B). Antral and duodenal tissues were biopsied and analyzed for the presence of H. pylori using three standard methods: urease test, culture and histology. The specific IgG antibody against H. pylori positivity using the ELISA method were also analysed. By these three methods, H. pylori positivity in the antral tissues, chronic active antral gastritis, and seroprevalence rate were found to be much higher in Group A than Group B. However, a similar trend was not found in the duodenal tissues. H. pylori was found in four of five patients during postoperative follow-up for duodenal ulcer. Among the four patients, no duodenal ulcer but chronic active gastritis was detected endoscopically in three who received vagotomy. Only the one who received simple closure of the perforated duodenal ulcer had a recurrent duodenal ulcer. It was concluded that a close relationship among duodenal ulcer, chronic active gastritis and H. pylori is present in children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma: report of one case.

Cystic lymphangioma is a developmental malformation of the lymphatic system. It is extremely rare for this type of tumor to arise from retroperitoneum in newborns. We present a male mature newborn infant with a retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma proven by autopsy. The clinical manifestation of chylous ascites may mimic retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma. The finding in supine abdomen X ray and abdominal sonography may help us to make some differential diagnosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
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Bone fractures in children with chronic cholestasis.

The clinical features, biochemical data, roentgenographical bone changes and liver histological studies of four children with fractures related to chronic cholestasis are described. Two of them had Alagille syndrome and the other two, biliary atresia. Only one patient presented with forearm fracture associated with typical radiographic evidence of rickets. The others revealed generalized osteopenia together with fractures in arms, forearms, and wrists respectively. Of these, one with rickets had hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia; one had decreased parathyroid hormone with mild hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia; one had hyperphosphatemia solely. Eucalcemia and euphosphatemia were noted in the remaining patient. Their bone lesions deteriorated in spite of treatment, except for the one with clinical rickets. All the patients succumbed eventually. It was concluded that the real pathogenesis of bone lesions in end-stage liver disease of chronic cholestatic children remains unclear. However, because rickets may intervene, continuing efforts to supply vitamin D and calcium since diagnosis of chronic cholestasis on a long-term basis, to prevent fracture, is still mandatory.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Congenital short bowel syndrome with left acheiria: report of one case.

A case of congenital short bowel syndrome with left acheiria, hemivertebra and dextrocardia is described. Dilatation of the fetal bowel was observed at the 24th week of gestation during a routine ultrasonic scan of a healthy 23-year-old primigravida from a non-consanguineous marriage. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling were denied. The baby was delivered at 38 weeks of gestational age. After delivery, multiple anomalies were noted: left acheiria, congenital short bowel syndrome (15 cm in length of the ileum), pseudo-obstruction of intestine, dextrocardia, and hemivertebrae. We suspected these abnormalities might be due to a vascular accident or failure of lateralization during the early gestational period. To our knowledge, these combinations have not been reported previously in English literature.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A follow-up study of annular pancreas in infants and children.

Fifteen pediatric patients undergoing surgery for annular pancreas from 1984 to 1996 were analyzed. Vomiting was the most common presenting symptom. Twelve patients (80%) had associated anomalies including malrotation (40%), intrinsic duodenal obstruction (33%), Down syndrome (27%) and duodenal bands (27%). Their ages at operation were between 5 hours and 8.5 years, with a median of 4 days. Surgical treatment included duodenojejunostomy in nine, duodenoduodenostomy in five and duodenotomy with duodenoplasty in one. The mean duration for reestablishment of bowel transit was 17.9 days, with 22.8 days for duodenojejunostomy and 12.3 days for duodenoduodenostomy. All cases received postoperative follow-up, but only 11 of them were long-term followed until April 1997, with a duration ranging from 1 year and 2 months to 11 years, with a median of 7 years and 5 months. The survival was 100%, but 12 cases (80%) developed postoperative complications including cholestatic jaundice (53%), upper gastrointestinal motility disorder (47%), failure to thrive (40%) and chronic diarrhea (33%). Annular pancreas divisum was noted in one case with chronic relapsing pancreatitis. At the end of follow-up (April 1997), when final ages ranged from 1 year and 2 months to 18 years and 9 months with a median of 7 years and 5 months, there were still problems: steatorrhea in 1, diarrhea after fatty diet in 3, malnutrition in 4, failure to thrive in 3 and lower concentration of stool trypsin in 3 cases. In conclusion, close long-term follow-up is essential for infants treated for annular pancreas because many of them can be expected to develop complications, even if the initial postoperative period is uncomplicated and survival is excellent.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis B: long-term outcome and benefits from mass vaccination in children.

Hepatitis B viruses can cause chronic liver diseases in both children and adults. In hyperendemic areas, although most related complications occur during adulthood, nearly half of the primary infection in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers occurs in perinatal period through maternal transmission and the other half are from horizontal transmission mainly through intrafamilial spread or injection using unsterilized needles. Children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection are mostly asymptomatic. They are generally active and growing well with very rare exceptions. Even with acute exacerbation of liver function and active inflammation, jaundice or growth failure is uncommon. Mild histologic abnormalities in the liver begins early in life and may progress to severe liver impairment in later life. Severe liver damage, with bridging hepatic necrosis or fibrosis, or cirrhosis of the liver may occur, but is rare during childhood. Universal immunization program of hepatitis B virus has been proved to be effective in reducing hepatitis B carrier rate for more than 10 folds, and the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in children has also been reduced significantly.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatocellular carcinoma in children.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignancies in humans. Although it occurs mainly in adults of 40 to 60 years of age, it may develop in children. It mainly occurs in children older than six years of age, with male predominance. Children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and underlying metabolic diseases are the two main high risk groups for childhood HCC. HBV infection is the main cause of childhood HCC in areas hyperendemic for HBV infection. In Taiwan, nearly 100% of HCC children were hepatitis B surface antigen seropositive. Maternal transmission (94%) is the most important route of transmission of HBV infection in HCC children. For HBV related HCC in children, immunization is the most effective way for the control of childhood HCC. The first universal vaccination against HBV in the world was launched in Taiwan in July 1984. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia in children declined from 10% in 1984, prior to the vaccination program, to < 1% in 1994, 10 years after the implementation of the program, in children less than 9 years of age. The annual incidence of HCC in children aged 6 to 9 years of age also decreased from 0.52 per 100,000 born in 1974-1984 to 0.13 per 100,000 born in 1984-1986.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗