Active Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Immunization against Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) in Korea

SUMMARY: Surveillance of vaccine safety is one of the public health interventions used to investigate the causal relationship between vaccines and adverse events. Using active surveillance data, we aimed to compile a detailed summary describing the safety of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. Computer-assisted telephone interview was used to investigate adverse events for 9,000 subjects who ha

Association between cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and respiratory tract infections in the first 6 months of age in a Korean population: a birth cohort study (COCOA)

PurposePrevious studies suggest that the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in cord blood may show an inverse association with respiratory tract infections (RTI) during childhood. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of 25(OH)D concentrations in cord blood on infant RTI in a Korean birth cohort.MethodsThe levels of 25(OH)D in cord blood obtained from 525 Korean newborns in the prospective COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases were examined. The primary outcome variable of interest was the prevalence of RTI at 6-month follow-up, as diagnosed by pediatricians and pediatric allergy and pulmonology specialists. RTI included acute nasopharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, otitis media, croup, tracheobronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia.ResultsThe median concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was 32.0 nmol/L (interquartile range, 21.4 to 53.2). One hundred and eighty neonates (34.3%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations less than 25.0 nmol/L, 292 (55.6%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations of 25.0-74.9 nmol/L, and 53 (10.1%) showed concentrations of ≥75.0 nmol/L. Adjusting for the season of birth, multivitamin intake during pregnancy, and exposure to passive smoking during pregnancy, 25(OH)D concentrations showed an inverse association with the risk of acquiring acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age (P for trend=0.0004).ConclusionThe results show that 89.9% of healthy newborns in Korea are born with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (55.6% and 34.3%, respectively). Cord blood vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in healthy neonates is associated with an increased risk of acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age. More time spent outdoors and more intensified vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women may be needed to prevent the onset of acute nasopharyngitis in infants

Reduced corneal sensitivity in patients with primary Sjogren`s syndrome

Villani E, 2007, INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, V48, P2017, DOI 10.1167/iovs.06-1129Mori K, 2005, BRAIN, V128, P2518, DOI 10.1093/brain/awh605Bourcier T, 2005, INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, V46, P2341, DOI 10.1167/iovs.04-1426del Castillo JMB, 2004, INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, V45, P3030, DOI 10.1167/iovs.04-0251Vitali C, 2002, ANN RHEUM DIS, V61, P554

Previous uterine artery embolization increases the rate of repeat embolization in a subsequent pregnancy.

This study aimed to determine the rate of repeat uterine artery embolization (UAE) in women with a previous UAE. Study data were collected from the Korea National Health Insurance Claims Database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service for 2009-2013. We enrolled women who had a first delivery in 2009 and a second delivery between 2010 and 2013. Among 226,408 women who had a first delivery in 2009, 296 underwent UAE. A total of 127,506 women had a second delivery between 2010 and 2013. Of 296 women who underwent UAE after the first delivery, 94 had a second delivery between 2010 and 2013. Women with a previous UAE had a higher rate of UAE at the second delivery than women without a previous UAE. Multivariate adjusted analysis showed that a UAE at the first delivery increased the rate of UAE at the second delivery (odds ratio 25.56, 95% confidence interval 9.86-66.23). Women with a previous UAE should be appropriately counseled and monitored for the need for a repeat UAE

Basic characteristics of women who had a first delivery in 2009 (n = 935,209).

<p>Basic characteristics of women who had a first delivery in 2009 (n = 935,209).</p

Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of UAE in the second pregnancy.

<p>Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of UAE in the second pregnancy.</p

Basic characteristics of the study population in a second pregnancy, according to a history of UAE at the first delivery (n = 317,670).

<p>Basic characteristics of the study population in a second pregnancy, according to a history of UAE at the first delivery (n = 317,670).</p