Korean Children Research Articles

Clinical Characteristics and Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Korean Children during the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Period.

We aimed to evaluate the clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and risk factors for severe RSV disease among Korean children in 2022/2023. A total of 235 children were identified, and 84.3% were hospitalized. Patients under 3 months and 2 years of age accounted for 20.9% and 54.5%, respectively. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 40.9% of children and bronchiolitis in 23.8%. Respiratory support and intensive care were required in 43.4% and 7.7% of patients, respectively. Haemophilus influenzae nasopharyngeal colonization and the presence of underlying disease showed a significant correlation with severity indicators. The clinical impact of RSV infection was high on infants and toddlers, even those having no underlying disease or not being indicated for palivizumab.

The diagnosis and management of fish allergies in the real world: A focus on Korean children

The diagnosis and management of fish allergies in the real world: A focus on Korean children

Home-based up-dosing of wheat oral immunotherapy: Real-world effectiveness and predictive factor analysis.

Wheat allergy is one of the most prevalent allergens in Korea, decreasing quality of life and causing nutritional repercussions. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the home-based wheat oral immunotherapy (OIT) using wheat noodles in children with a wheat allergy. We conducted a retrospective study involving 72 children aged 3 to 17 years diagnosed with a wheat allergy. Patients received wheat OIT using wheat noodles (n = 50) and were compared with a historical control group (n = 22). Baseline characteristics, adverse events, and immunological changes were assessed. Predictors of successful desensitization were identified using logistic regression analysis. Among 50 patients completing the up-dosing phase, 82.0% achieved desensitization to 2,400 mg of wheat protein, compared to 4.5% in the control group (p < 0.001). During the up-dosing period, the median number of adverse reactions per person was 2, and anaphylaxis occurred in 30.0% (15/50). However, there were no life-threatening adverse events. In multivariable analysis, the presence of asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-71.97; p = 0.041) and a higher ratio of specific IgE (sIgE) to ω-5-gliadin and total IgE (aOR 19.09, 95%CI 1.21-300.80, p = 0.036) were significantly associated with treatment outcomes of wheat OIT. Our study showed the safety and efficacy of home-based wheat OIT using boiled noodles in Korean children with wheat allergies. Careful consideration is warranted for patients with elevated baseline sIgE to ω-5-gliadin to total IgE ratio and a history of asthma.

Alterations in Plasma Cytokine Levels in Korean Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Numerous studies have supported the role of the immune dysfunction in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted on plasma cytokine levels in children with ASD in South Korea. In this study, we aimed to analyze the immunological characteristics of Korean children with ASD through plasma cytokine analysis. Blood samples were collected from 94 ASD children (mean age 7.1; 81 males and 13 females) and 48 typically developing children (TDC) (mean age 7.3; 30 males and 18 females). Plasma was isolated from 1 mL of blood by clarifying with centrifugation at 8000 rpm at 4℃ for 10 min. Cytokines in plasma were measured with LEGENDplex HU Th cytokine panel (BioLegend, 741028) and LEGENDplex HU cytokine panel 2 (BioLegend, 740102). Among 25 cytokines, innate immune cytokine [interleukin (IL)-33] was significantly decreased in ASD children compared with TDC. In acute phase proteins, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was significantly increased, while IL-6, another inflammation marker, was decreased in ASD children compared with TDC. The cytokines from T cell subsets, including interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17f, were significantly decreased in ASD children compared to TDC. IL-10, a major anti-inflammatory cytokine, and IL-9, which modulates immune cell growth and proliferation, were also significantly decreased in ASD children compared to TDC. We confirmed that Korean children with ASD showed altered immune function and unique cytokine expression patterns distinct from TDC.

Aetiology and Prognosis of Encephalitis in Korean Children: A Retrospective Single-Centre Study, 2005-2020.

Encephalitis is a heterogeneous syndrome that occurs in childhood and is not rare. However, epidemiological studies of encephalitis based on the International Encephalitis Consortium (ICS) and expert recommendations are lacking. We investigated the aetiology and prognosis of encephalitis in Korean children. This retrospective study included children aged <19 years hospitalised for encephalitis at Severance Children's Hospital between 2005 and 2020. The 2013 ICS criteria were used to diagnose encephalitis, and causality was classified according to the site from which the specimen was obtained. Neurological sequelae were categorised using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. In total, 551 children were included, with 7% classified as possible, 77% as probable, and 15% as proven cases. A cause was identified in 42% of the cases (n=222), with viruses being the most common (42%), followed by bacteria (38%) and autoimmune encephalitis (12%). In cases of proven/probable encephalitis (n=65), bacteria accounted for 52%, followed by viruses (25%) and autoimmune encephalitis (22%). In cases with a single pathogen, the anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor autoantibody (n=14) was the most common, followed by Group B streptococcus (n=13), herpes simplex virus (n=11), enterovirus (n=4), and others. Approximately 37% of patients had severe sequelae (mRS score ≥3) at discharge, which decreased to 31% 6 months after discharge. This large-scale study showed that autoimmune and infectious causes accounted for a significant proportion of encephalitis in Korean children. Further studies are needed to determine whether early targeted treatment following early diagnosis leads to a favourable prognosis in these populations.

Framed by War: Korean Children and Women at the Crossroads of US Empire

Framed by War: Korean Children and Women at the Crossroads of US Empire

Associations of Night Shift Status During Pregnancy With Small for Gestational Age and Preterm Births.

Shift work, including night shift work, during pregnancy has been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as small for gestational age (SGA) infants and preterm births. This study, conducted in South Korea using the Korean CHildren's ENvironmental health Study (Ko-CHENS) cohort, aimed to investigate the association between shift work and night shift status during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes. The Korean Ko-CHENS is a nationwide prospective birth cohort study of children's environmental diseases, conducted by the Ministry of Environment and the National Institute of Environmental Research. This study included pregnant women recruited from 2015 to 2020 for Ko-CHENS Core Cohorts, and 4,944 out of a total of 5,213 pregnant women were selected as final subjects. A logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors affecting SGA births, preterm births, and low-birth-weight infants, and the odds ratio (OR) was adjusted. This was confirmed by calculating ORs. Maternal age, infant sex, maternal educational status, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, parity, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, and abortion history were used as adjusted variables. No statistically significant differences were observed in the birth outcomes or maternal working patterns. There were no significant differences in the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of SGA and preterm births between the non-worker, day worker, and shift worker. However, there was a significant difference in the aORs of SGA between non-workers and night shift workers. (aORs [95% confidence interval], 2.643 [1.193-5.859]). Working during pregnancy did not increase the risk of SGA or preterm birth, and night shift work did not increase the risk of preterm birth. However, night-shift work increases the risk of SGA.

Incidence of Dental Discoloration After Tetracycline Exposure in Korean Children: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Incidence of Dental Discoloration After Tetracycline Exposure in Korean Children: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

COVID-19 and Neurodevelopmental Delays in Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Analysis of Developmental Outcomes in Korean Children.

This study employed a longitudinal analysis to evaluate the association between the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and neurodevelopment by analyzing over 1.8 million children from the Korean Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children included in South Korea's National Health Screening Program. We compared the developmental outcomes in five age groups-9-17 months, 18-29 months, 30-41 months, 42-53 months, and 54-65 months-between the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods. Significant increases in potential developmental delays were observed during the pandemic in communication, cognitive, social interaction, self-care, and fine motor skills across most age groups. All five age groups experienced notable disruptions in communication and fine motor skills. Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds faced higher risks across all domains. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and continuous monitoring to support the developmental needs of children affected by pandemic-related disruptions.

Childcare sharing and family happiness: analyzing parental and child well-being in the actor-partner interdependence model.

The exploration of the relationship between parental and child happiness, particularly in the context of shared childcare responsibilities, has not been examined in Korean families. Using a two-wave longitudinal design and data from 1,403 families from the Panel Study on Korean Children, this study employed the actor-partner interdependence model to examine the dynamics of childcare sharing between mothers and fathers in South Korea. Mothers' childcare sharing was found to have no significant impact on their own and their partner's happiness, reflecting traditional gender norms that undervalue mothers' contributions. In contrast, fathers' childcare sharing had a positive impact on their own and their spouse's happiness, suggesting a growing recognition of fathers' involvement. Furthermore, fathers' active participation in childcare was found to promote their children's happiness through their own happiness. This study reflects the complexity of evolving family roles and the covert persistence of traditional gender roles in modern Korean parenting. It suggests the importance of work and family policies that support changes in family dynamics by providing a more nuanced understanding of how changing family roles and responsibilities can enhance overall family well-being.

아동의 초기부적응도식과 친구관계의 질의 관계: 정서표현양가성의 매개효과

The purpose of this study is to explore the mediating effect of ambivalence over emotional expression in the relationship between children's early maladaptive schema and friendship quality. For this purpose, data from 388 5th and 6th grade elementary school students in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do were collected. The main findings are as follows. First, elementary school students' early maladaptive schema showed a correlation with ambivalence over emotional expression, but no significant correlation was found between early maladaptive schema and quality of friendship, ambivalence over emotional expression and quality of friendship. Specifically, there was a positive correlation between early maladaptive schema and ambivalence over emotional expression. Second, it was found that emotional expression ambivalence had no mediating effect in the relationship between elementary school students' initial maladjustment and the quality of friend relationships. These research results suggested the need for further exploration of the concept and role of early childhood maladaptive schema and ambivalence over emotional expression among Korean children. Based on these results, the limitations of this study were discussed.

Differences in Language and Literacy Competence According to the Comorbidity of Speech Sound Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: for Preschool 6-Year-Olds

Objectives: This study analyzed the differences in language and literacy skills in the groups (None, SSD, ADHD, and SSD+ADHD) classified according to the comorbidity of Speech Sound Disorder (SSD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Methods: The Korean Children’s Panel Study (PSKC) conducted SSD and ADHD screening tests on 1,489 6-year-old preschoolers. In this study, cross-analysis was conducted by dividing the two disability groups into Absent and Present to measure the significance of the degree of accompanying disability. In addition, multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) was conducted using intelligence as covariance as the result of scoring language and literacy skills of the four groups (None, SSD, ADHD, and SSD+ADHD).Results: First, through the results of this study, it was confirmed that SSD and ADHD are significantly more likely to be comorbid. Second, both children with SSD and those with ADHD had significantly lower language skills than Typically Developing children. Third, there was a difference in the detailed items of the SSD and ADHD group literacy. A notable distinction between the two groups is that the ADHD group had a higher rate of writing problems. Fourth, the comorbidity of SSD and ADHD showed different characteristics from None, SSD, and ADHD in reasoning areas such as “predicting the next story”.Conclusion: Speech problems that receive a lot of attention in preschool age childhood should be able to be interpreted and diagnosed in relation to problems with language development and language learning delays in school age children. From this point of view, this study is expected to serve as a basic study on the early diagnosis of language academic ability development.

부모의 온정적 양육이 인지적 공감과 협동심을 통해 청소년의 학교생활만족에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to examine the direct impact of adolescents' per-ceived warm parenting on school life satisfaction and the indirect impact through cognitive empathy and cooperation. To achieve this, the study focused on the cohort data of 2,240 first-year middle school students (1,129 male students, 1,111 female students) surveyed in 2021 from the "Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018" produced by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education. The collected data were analyzed using Model 6 of the PROCESS macro version 4.2 (Hayes, 2022). The results are as follows. First, concern-ing the direct impact of adolescents' perceived warm parenting on school life satisfaction, warm parenting was found to have a statically significant impact on school life satisfaction. Second, regarding the indirect impact of adolescents' perceived warm parenting on school life satisfaction through cognitive empathy and cooperation, the mediating effects of cog-nitive empathy and cooperation were both significant in each respective path, and the dual mediating effect was also confirmed. The findings of this study are expected to serve as foundational data for education and counseling for adolescents experiencing various diffi-culties in school life.

자녀양육기 가구의 시설접근성 불평등과 지역사회 소득불평등의 관계

This study aims to examine the effects of income inequality on the facility accessibility among households in parenting period. For this, it used accessibility data from the Panel Study on Korean Children, income inequality data yielded from the Korean Labor &amp; Income Panel Study, and information on local governments collected from KOSIS. Main findings are as follows: first, the urban area per ca-pita was positively related to accessibility inequality among all types of facility. Second, the average accessibility of culture facility or education/medical/ welfare facility was negatively related to facility accessibility inequality. Third, when all other factors are constant, income inequality increased accessibility inequality of leisure facility and education/medical/welfare facility. Fourth, accessibility inequality of culture facility was not significantly related to income inequality. Based on these findings, policy implications and future research directions were discussed.

초기누적위험요인이 어머니의 사회적 양육행동을 매개로 유아행동발달에 미치는 영향

Objectives In this study, we examined the longitudinal impact of early cumulative risk factors on child behavioral development and confirmed whether the mother's social parenting behavior played a mediating role in that process.&#x0D; Methods For 1,434 children and households participating in the Korean Children's Panel, early cumulative risk factors were assessed in the first year's data, mothers' social parenting behavior was assessed in the fourth year's data, and child behavior development was assessed in the fifth year's data(Korean version of the Child Behavior Assessment Scale: CBCL 1.5-5) was used. The initial cumulative risk factors, which are composed of eight risk factors, are the mother's response to basic livelihood security recipients and the next lower class, mother's education level, mother's marital conflict, mother's depression, mother's parenting stress, mother's self-esteem, social support, and family life event was used. Data analysis was performed by conducting mediation regression analysis using Model 4 of Process Macro v4.0.&#x0D; Results In the longitudinal impact of early cumulative risk factors on child behavior development, mothers' social parenting behavior partially mediates infants' internalization, externalization, emotional reactivity, anxiety/depression, physical symptoms, withdrawal, attention problems, aggressive behavior, and other problems. It was found to play a partial mediating role, and sleep problems were found to play a complete mediating role.&#x0D; Conclusions The mother's social parenting behavior was found to have a significant impact on the child behavioral development in the long term by acting as a mechanism to transmit the effects of an unfavorable home environment with early cumulative risk factors to the child. Therefore, we discussed ways to restore and support mothers' social parenting behavior to prevent the long-term negative impact of an unfavorable family environment with early cumulative risk factors on child behavioral development.&#x0D;

한국 어린이의 근시 유병률과 근시 진행에 영향을 미치는 요인

한국 어린이의 근시 유병률과 근시 진행에 영향을 미치는 요인

유아의 학습에 대한 태도 및 외현화 문제행동과 놀이단절이 학업능력에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of children’ approach to learning, externalizing problems and disconnection on academic skills. This study used 7th data from the Korean Children’s Panel, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed to analyze influence of variables. Research results were as follows. First, approach to learning, externalizing problems and disconnection of children were found to affect academic skill, and approach to learning showed the highest explanatory power. When looking at the effect of the sub-factors of externalizing problems(attention problem, aggressive behavior) on academic skill, the attention problem had the greatest explanatory power. Second, looking at the effect of the sub-factors of externalizing problems(attention problem, aggressive behavior) on the sub-factors of academic skill(language and literacy, mathematical thinking), only the attention problem among the sub-factors of externalizing problems affected language and literacy. Next, among the sub-factors of externalizing problem behavior, only the attention problem affected mathematical thinking. This study aims to provide educational implications for the development of basic learning skills for young children’ adaptation to elementary school by identifying factors that affect children’s academic skill.

국악교육에서 지속가능발전교육 가치 함양을 위한 실천적 접근

This study presented various practical approaches to cultivating the values ultimately aimed by sustainable development education in Korean music education based on the 2022 revised music curriculum. To this end, first, literature research was reviewed to identify the meaning and value of sustainable developmental education and the connection between the 2022 revised music curriculum and sustainable developmental education. Second, on the basis of its characteristics, the relationship between Korean music education and sustainable developmental education was examined. Third, practical approaches to cultivating the value of education for sustainable development in Korean music education were presented. Four practical approaches reflecting the value of education for sustainable development in Korean music education were presented. The first is to communicate with generations through Korean music. The value of respecting human rights and future generations was cultivated through learning traditional children’s songs and creating Korean children’s songs. The second is examining the relationship of Korean music with nature and life. It is a way to cultivate the values of respecting human rights, future generations, and ecological diversity. Third, it is to value various local music cultures by appreciating Korean music and cultural heritage, talking about how to protect and preserve Korean music and cultural heritage for future generations, and cultivating the values of respecting human rights, future generations, and cultural diversity. Fourth, what should be done to promote sustainable Korean music in the world? The value of respecting human rights, future generations, and cultural diversity was cultivated by finding ways to improve and solve Korean music and cultural heritage registered in UNESCO to continue to maintain its status in the world. This study focused on cultivating the value of sustainable developmental education by linking it with the value of Korean music, not the content approach of Korean music education. Therefore, it is very important to highlight values and ask appropriate questions from teachers so that learners can cultivate them. Therefore, starting with this study, I hope that inquiry research, teaching and learning methods, and data-related studies will continue to cultivate the value of teachers.

In an EFL Environment: Characteristics of Speech Sound Disorders in Children’s English Articulation

Objectives: In an EFL (English as a Foreign Language) environment like Korea, individuals learn English through education, and learning a foreign language is naturally influenced by the language system of the mother tongue. This study aimed to investigate the English speech characteristics and patterns of native language transfer in children with speech sound disorders (SSD).Methods: 20 Korean children aged 4-6 years participated in this study. The study divided participants into SSD and normal speech acquisition (NSA) groups, each comprising 10 children. Participants completed English word repetition task using the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology (DEAP). Additionally, the SSD group was assessed using the Urimal Test of Articulation &amp; Phonology (U-TAP) to compare differences in speech production based on language types. In both groups, the overall consonant accuracy, error types an error patterns in English were analyzed. English error types were categorized as substitution, vowel addition, consonant addition, vowel deletion, consonant deletion, inter-language distortion and intra-language distortion. Error patterns were further divided into developmental and non-developmental error patterns.Results: The SSD group demonstrated lower consonant accuracy compared to the NSA group in English articulation. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in vowel deletion rates and minor variations in consonant addition patterns. Error pattern analysis revealed that both groups exhibited a high proportion of stopping and final consonant deletion.Conclusion: This study directly confirmed the transfer of native language deficits in children with SSD to their English articulation and indirectly suggested that underlying deficits might impact English speech production.

‘통일감수성’의 교육적 가능성으로서의 2000년대 이후 한국 아동·청소년 문학 연구

The purpose of this study is to attempt two studies related to unification education. The first is to reflect on the existing concept of ‘unification sensitivity’, and the second is to rethink unification sensitivity in terms of ethics and publicness based on this reflection. The three goals of ‘unification sensitivity’ are as follows. First, we feel compassion by experiencing the suffering of others. Second, develop a sense of identification that the pain of others can become your pain. Lastly, this sense is expanded to include social and public ethical sensibilities. Based on these findings, this paper provided the possibility of ‘unification sensitivity’ education targeting Korean children's literature since 2000s that featured North Korean immigrants. The possibilities provided are as follows: 1. Through Jo Gyeong-suk's novels, we indirectly experience the lives of North Korean immigrants and recognize their suffering. 2. Through Park Gyeong-hee's novels, we re-recognize the emotions of compassion that have been thought to be different between North Korean immigrants and South Korean children, and compare and contrast ‘my pain’ and ‘their pain’ along the same line. 3. In Jeon Seong-hee’s novels, ‘unification sensitivity’, which has been limited to the personal level(in terms of identification with compassion), is expanded to public sensitivity. Expanding the unification sensitivity mentioned in this paper to ethical sensitivity and the public domain can contribute to diversifying not only unification education but also unification discourse.