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STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its severity are related to dyslipidemia and alanine transaminase elevation as a marker of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. METHODS: The data collected from polysomnography, laboratory measurements (lipid profile and liver enzyme), and body mass index in children aged 0–18 years who visited the pediatric department between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were a total of 273 participants in the study (ages 0–6 years, 7–12 years, and 13–18 years: 61.9%, 26.4%, and 11.7%, respectively). In the ages 7–12 and 13–18 years groups, obesity was strongly associated with OSA severity (Cramer’s V = 0.498, P < .001). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the OSA group than in the non-OSA group, irrespective of the presence of obesity. In addition, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly different between the OSA severity groups after adjusting for body mass index (P = .000). In participants who were obese, moderate and severe OSA were associated with alanine transaminase elevation (P = .023 and P = .045, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that OSA may be an independent risk factor for dyslipidemia and that OSA and obesity have a synergistic effect on alanine transaminase elevation. Early diagnosis and treatment of OSA from childhood, especially in obese children, will reduce metabolic complications. CITATION: Kang EK, Jang MJ, Kim KD, Ahn YM. The association of obstructive sleep apnea with dyslipidemia in Korean children and adolescents: a single-center, cross-sectional study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(8):1599–1605.

BACKGROUND Prediction of mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is key to improving the clinical outcomes, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the collapse of healthcare systems in many regions worldwide. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the factors associated with COVID-19 mortality and to develop a nomogram for predicting mortality using clinical parameters and underlying diseases. METHODS This study was performed in 5,626 patients with confirmed COVID-19 between February 1 and April 30, 2020 in South Korea. A Cox proportional hazards model and logistic regression model were used to construct a nomogram for predicting 30-day and 60-day survival probabilities and overall mortality, respectively in the train set. Calibration and discrimination were performed to validate the nomograms in the test set. RESULTS Age ≥70 years; male; presence of fever and dyspnea at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis; and diabetes mellitus, cancer, or dementia as underling diseases were significantly related to 30-day and 60-day survival and mortality in COVID-19 patients. The areas under the curve (AUCs) for 30-day and 60-day survival was 0.914 and 0.954, respectively (C-index, 0.906; 95% CI, 0.883-0.929); the AUC for mortality of 0.926. The nomogram showed good calibration for survival probabilities and mortality. The online calculators can be found at https://koreastat.shinyapps.io/RiskofCOVID19/. CONCLUSIONS The prediction model could accurately predict COVID-19-related mortality; thus, it would be helpful for identifying the risk of mortality and establishing medical policies during the pandemic to improve the clinical outcomes. CLINICALTRIAL not applicable

In infants and young children, bedtime problems and night waking are common and the main presentations of insomnia. Poor sleep may critically impact the daytime functioning and mood of the child and their caregivers. A comprehensive sleep history, a sleep diary/log, and the BEARS (Bedtime problems, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Awakenings during the night, Regularity and duration of sleep, and Sleep-disordered breathing) sleep screen are useful for diagnosing sleep problems in young children. Behavioral therapies for this type of insomnia include extinction, bedtime fading with positive routines, and scheduled awakening. Previous studies of behavioral interventions for young children showed significant improvements in sleep-onset latency, night waking frequency, and night waking duration. Parent education about their child’s sleep, bedtime routines, and sleep hygiene is essential for treatment.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate differential cell responses of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) after treatments with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to mimic the exposure to inflammation and oxidative stress and the mechanisms of a double-hit model of apoptosis. Materials and methods AECs were cultured and treated with combinations of 1 μg/mL of LPS and 500 μM H2O2 as follows: LPS-only at 0 h, LPS at 0 h with H2O2 at 6 h (LPS + H2O2), H2O2-only at 0 h, H2O2 at 0 h with LPS at 6 h (H2O2 + LPS), and control. We investigated mRNA expression (TNF-α, Fas, Fas ligand, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-7), protein expression (Fas, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-7) and apoptosis (Caspase-3 activity, TUNEL assay) at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h. Results In the H2O2 + LPS group, the Caspase-7, and Fas mRNA levels were significantly higher than the other groups at 9 h and 12 h, and Bax was higher at 12 h. The Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression ratio was significantly higher in the H2O2 + LPS group than that of the other groups at 12h and 24h. Apoptotic index was highest in the H2O2 + LPS group at 24 h. Conclusions The sequence of stimulation may modify the cell response in rat AECs. The results suggest that previous oxidative stress and subsequent LPS-induced inflammation primarily influence apoptosis of L2 cells by up-regulation of cell signaling.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) differs in children with developmental disabilities (DD) compared to typically developing (TD) children. METHODS: PAP adherence of 240 children initiated on PAP for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was retrospectively analyzed. Adherence between groups, expressed as percentage of nights used and hours of usage on nights used at 3 and 6 months, was compared. Predictive factors of adherence were studied using a median regression model. RESULTS: A total of 103 children with DD (median [interquartile range] age = 7.9 [3.2–13.1] years) and 137 TD (11.0 [5.5–16.1], P = .005) children were included. Percentage of nights used was significantly higher in children with DD at 3 (DD = 86.7 [33.9–97.9], TD = 62.9 [30.8–87.8] P = .01) and 6 months (DD = 90.0 [53.3–100], TD = 70.7 [29.2–90.8], P = .003). Hours of usage on nights used at 3 and 6 months were similar between groups (DD = 5.0 [1.4–7.9], TD = 4.6 [1.9–7.2], P = .715; DD = 6.4 [1.8–8.3], TD = 5.7 [2.5–7.3], P = .345, respectively). This adherence measure improved over time in both groups (DD, P = .007; TD, P = .005). At 6 months, higher median neighborhood income and titration at or before 6 months were significantly predictive for percentage of nights used; higher PAP pressure was significantly predictive for hours of usage in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Children with DD had better PAP adherence expressed as percentage of nights used than TD children. Hours of usage on nights used at 3 and 6 months were similar between groups and improved over time. Higher income and titration at or before 6 months were predictive of adherence in all children. These findings indicate that children with DD can successfully wear PAP. CITATION: Kang EK, Xanthopoulos MS, Kim JY, Arevalo C, Shults J, Beck SE, Marcus CL, Tapia IE. Adherence to positive airway pressure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children with developmental disabilities. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(6):915–921.

Dapsone is a sulfone-type drug used widely for different infectious, immune, and hypersensitivity disorders as an antibacterial treatment alone or in combination for leprosy and sometimes for infected skin lesions. DHS is a severe idiosyncratic adverse reaction with multi-organ involvement. However, acute necrotic hepatitis requiring an emergent LT is rare. Herein, we report a case of 12-yr-old girl who suffered from fulminant hepatitis and multi-organ failure due to DHS for PPD. She was saved by emergent LDLT. A high index of suspicion and rapid diagnosis are necessary not to miss this potentially lethal but rare disease.

목적: 본 연구는 국내 소아청소년에서 인플루엔자 분할백신 접종군과 인플루엔자 아단위백신 접종군 간 면역원성 및 안전성을 파악하기 위해 시행하였다. 방법: 2008년 10월부터 12월까지 서울과 경기도 지역의 여섯 개의 병원에 방문한 202명의 건강한 만 36개월에서 18세 미만의 소아청소년을 대상으로 하였으며 이들은 인플루엔자 분할백신 또는 아단위백신을 접종받았다. H1N1, H3N2, 그리고 B형의 인플루엔자 바이러스 항원의 면역원성을 평가하기 위해 접종 후 혈구응집억제 항체가가 1:40 이상인 피험자의 비율, 항체 양전률, 그리고 geometric mean titer를 계산하였다. 모든 접종자들에서 국소 그리고 전신 이상반응을 관찰하였다. 결과: 분할백신 접종군과 아단위백신 접종군에서 H1N1, H3N2, B형 항원에 대하여 항체가가 1:40 이상으로 나타난 피험자의 비율은 유사하였다(95.9%, 94.9%, 96.9% vs. 96.0%, 90.9%, 87.9%). 36개월 이상 72개월 미만의 소아에서 두 접종군 간 항체가가 1:40 이상으로 나타난 피험자의 비율은 유사하게 나타났다. 72개월 이상 18세 미만의 소아에서는 H1N1, H3N2, 그리고 B에 대해 항체가가 1:40 이상으로 나타난 피험자의 비율은 모두 높게 나타났으나 (98.4%, 98.4%, 98.4% vs. 97.0%, 95.5%, 91.0%), 항체 양전율은 상대적으로 낮았다 (39.1%, 73.4%, 35.9% vs. 34.3%, 55.2%, 38.8%). 또한 분할백신 접종군에서 아단위백신 접종군에서보다 국소 및 전신 이상반응의 비율이 더 높았으나 두 접종군 모두에서 중대한 이상반응은 나타나지 않았다. 결론: 인플루엔자 분할백신 접종군과 아단위백신 접종군 모두에서 3세 이상 18세 미만의 연령군에서 적절한 면역원성을 보였다. 또한 두 접종군에서 모두 중대한 이상반응은 발생하지 않았다.

Studies comparing the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of trivalent inactivated subunit (SU) and split (SPL) vaccines in children in Asia are limited. In 2008, we assessed the safety and immunogenicity of SU and SPL influenza vaccines in Korean children aged 6-35 months.We studied 2 non-randomized cohorts of children who received either SU or SPL vaccine in an open-label non-stratified controlled trial at 6 hospitals in Korea. We measured antibody titers with a hemagglutination-inhibition assay at baseline and 30 days after the first or second flu shot. The primary goal was the determination of vaccine immunogenicity according to the European Union Committee of Human Medicinal Products licensing criteria.Out of a total of 106 participants aged 6-35 months, 47 received the SPL vaccine and 59 the SU vaccine. After vaccination, 41 (87.2%), 40 (85.1%), and 33 (70.2%) of the 47 subjects in the SPL group had titers ≥ 1:40 against H1N1, H3N2, and B, respectively. In the SU group, 42 (71.2%), 34 (57.6%), and 22 (37.3%) of 59 subjects had titers ≥ 1:40 against H1N1, H3N2, and B, respectively. The post-vaccination geometric mean titers of H1N1, H3N2, and B (SPL vs SU) were 119.1, 99.8, and 61.4 vs 75.4, 51.2, and 24.1, respectively. There were no serious vaccine-related adverse events. There were no differences between the SPL and SU vaccines with respect to adverse events.The immunogenicity of the SPL vaccine appears to be better than that of the SU vaccine in children aged 6-35 months in Korea.

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) is a rare disease characterized by intense skin reactions such as bulla and necrotic ulcerations at bite sites, accompanied by general symptoms such as high-grade fever and malaise occurred after mosquito bites. It has been suggested that HMB is associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and natural killer (NK) cell leukemia/lymphoma. We describe here a Korean child who presented with 3-yr history of HMB without natural killer cell lymphocytosis. He has been ill for 6 yr with HMB. Close observation and examination for the development of lymphoproliferative status or hematologic malignant disorders is needed.

Background: The mechanisms responsible for bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in symptomatic asthma include genetic predisposition and airway inflammation, but the causes of BHR in adolescents with asthma remission are poorly understood. It has been shown that BHR in adolescents with asthma remission was not reduced by prolonged treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, in contrast to the BHR of symptomatic asthma. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether family history of BHR may contribute to the persistence of BHR in asthma remission during adolescence. Methods: One hundred twenty-six adolescents with long-term asthma remission (neither symptoms nor any medication used during the previous 2 years) and their parents underwent a methacholine inhalation test. The provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV 1 (PC 20 ) and the bronchial responsiveness (BR) index were calculated for each individual. Results: Sixty-nine adolescents (54.8%) were found to have persisting BHR (PC 20 Conclusion: Our results suggest that adolescents in asthma remission are more likely to have BHR when there is a family history of BHR. Further studies are needed to examine the possible involvement of genetic factors in the BHR of adolescents in asthma remission.

Noroviruses have been recognized as the leading cause of epidemic and sporadic gastroenteritis since the advent of molecular diagnostic technique. They have been documented in 5-31% of pediatric patients hospitalized with gastroenteritis. Although norovirus gastroenteritis is typically mild and self-limited, it causes severe, but sometimes fatal, conditions in the vulnerable population such as immunocompromised patients, young children, and the elderly. Bowel perforation due to norovirus infection is rare. We report a case of small bowel perforation with norovirus gastroenteritis in the infant with Down syndrome during the hospitalization with pneumonia. Severe dehydration may cause bowel ischemia and could have triggered bowel perforation in this case. Physicians should be alert to the potential surgical complications followed by severe acute diarrhea, especially in high risk groups.

There is no well-stated practical guideline for mechanically ventilated patients with or without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We generate strong (1) and weak (2) grade of recommendations based on high (A), moderate (B) and low (C) grade in the quality of evidence. In patients with ARDS, we recommend low tidal volume ventilation (1A) and prone position if it is not contraindicated (1B) to reduce their mortality. However, we did not support high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (1B) and inhaled nitric oxide (1A) as a standard treatment. We also suggest high positive end-expiratory pressure (2B), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a rescue therapy (2C), and neuromuscular blockage for 48 hours after starting mechanical ventilation (2B). The application of recruitment maneuver may reduce mortality (2B), however, the use of systemic steroids cannot reduce mortality (2B). In mechanically ventilated patients, we recommend light sedation (1B) and low tidal volume even without ARDS (1B) and suggest lung protective ventilation strategy during the operation to lower the incidence of lung complications including ARDS (2B). Early tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated patients can be performed only in limited patients (2A). In conclusion, of 12 recommendations, nine were in the management of ARDS, and three for mechanically ventilated patients.

This article is available from http://www.labmedonline.org 2016, Laboratory Medicine Online This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background: Throat culture is the golden standard for diagnosis of group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. However, because it is a time-consuming procedure, antibiotics are often empirically administrated. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can detect bacterial infections within 15 minutes, thus helping to reduce unnecessary administration of antibiotics. Methods: In total, 108 patients, between 3 and 17 yr of age, who visited our hospital from August 2011 to July 2012, were tested for suspected acute pharyngitis with two RATs––SD Bioline Strep A (SD, Korea) and BinaxNOW Strep A (Binax, Inc., USA)––as well as throat culture. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and consistency of the two RATs and assessed the clinical manifestations of GAS pharyngitis. Results: Of the 108 patients, 15 were confirmed to have GAS pharyngitis by throat culture. The SD test showed a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 97.8%; the positive and negative predictive values were 87.5% and 98.9%, respectively. The Binax test showed a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 100%; the positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 97.9%, respectively. The Kappa values for conformity degree were high, 0.887 and 0.918 in the SD and the Binax tests, respectively (P =0.00). Clinical manifestation assessment of GAS pharyngitis indicated that scarlatiniform rash and strawberry tongue were significantly associated signs (P

We aimed to compare the immune response induced by natural infection with 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 (pH1N1) virus and by monovalent pH1N1 vaccination in children and adolescents. This cross-sectional clinical study was conducted at 3 hospitals in Korea from February to May 2010. A total of 266 healthy subjects aged from 6 months to 18 yr were tested for the presence of the antibody against pH1N1 using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Information about pH1N1 vaccination and laboratory-confirmed pH1N1 infection history was obtained. The overall rate of HI titers of ≥ 1:40 against pH1N1 was 38.7%, and the geometric mean titer (GMT) was 20.5. Immunogenicity of pH1N1 vaccination only was reflected by a 41.1% of seroprotection rate and a GMT of 22.5. Immunogenicity of natural infection only was reflected by a 61.0% of seroprotection rate and a GMT of 40.0. GMT was significantly higher in the subjects of natural infection group than in the subjects of pH1N1 vaccination group (P < 0.001). The immune responses induced by natural pH1N1 infection exceed those induced by pH1N1 vaccinations.

The mechanisms responsible for bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in symptomatic asthma include genetic predisposition and airway inflammation, but the causes of BHR in adolescents with asthma remission are poorly understood. It has been shown that BHR in adolescents with asthma remission was not reduced by prolonged treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, in contrast to the BHR of symptomatic asthma.The aim of this study was to investigate whether family history of BHR may contribute to the persistence of BHR in asthma remission during adolescence.One hundred twenty-six adolescents with long-term asthma remission (neither symptoms nor any medication used during the previous 2 years) and their parents underwent a methacholine inhalation test. The provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV(1) (PC(20)) and the bronchial responsiveness (BR) index were calculated for each individual.Sixty-nine adolescents (54.8%) were found to have persisting BHR (PC(20)18 mg/mL). The frequency of BHR and the BR index were significantly higher in parents (n = 138) of the BHR-persisting group (28.3% and 1.150 +/- 0.103, respectively [mean +/- 1 SD]) than in parents (n = 114) of BHR-nonpersisting group (16.7% [p = 0.030] and 1.124 +/- 0.088 [p = 0.029], respectively). Furthermore, adolescents (n = 56) with at least one BHR-positive parent were found to have a higher frequency of BHR (66.1% vs 45.7%, p = 0.023) and a higher BR index (1.244 +/- 0.090 vs 1.204 +/- 0.082, p = 0.011) than adolescents (n = 70) with non-BHR parents.Our results suggest that adolescents in asthma remission are more likely to have BHR when there is a family history of BHR. Further studies are needed to examine the possible involvement of genetic factors in the BHR of adolescents in asthma remission.

Purpose : We conducted a prospective comparative clinical study to determine the field efficacy of the 2010-2011 influenza vaccines [Influenza virus strains; A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2), B/Brisbane/60/2008] in healthy Korean children under 18 years of age. Methods : In this study, we enrolled subjects aged between 6 months and 18 years and divided them into 2 study groups: a group who received the influenza vaccines (407 subjects), and a control group who did not receive the influenza vaccines (230 subjects). Ours was a multicenter study that involved 7 hospitals, including the Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The study was conducted between September 2010 and February 2011. We collected nasal wash or throat swab samples from subjects who presented with acute febrile respiratory or influenza-like illnesses at the hospital. We used PCR to confirm the presence of the influenza virus in the respiratory samples and characterize the virus type. Results : In this study, we collected 22 respiratory samples from the influenza-vaccinated group and found 3 cases of influenza virus infection. Similarly, we collected 21 samples from the control group and found 12 cases of influenza virus infection among 10 subjects during the study period. We determined the field efficacy of the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccines to be 83.2% in healthy Korean children and adolescents. Conclusion : In this study, we determined the field efficacy of the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccines in healthy Korean children and adolescents. We found that the field efficacy of 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccines was adequate.

Purpose : The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in young children and to provide information for an effective guideline for palivizumab administration in Korea. Methods : We reviewed medical charts of 167 patients under 3 years of age who were hospitalized in Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital for lower respiratory tract infection between January 2007 and February 2011. Diagnosis of the virus was made based on the multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction. Results : There were 113 patients who were infected by respiratory syncytial virus. 90 patients were term infants and 23 patients were preterm infants. No difference was shown between term and preterm infants except the days of admission which was 9.06.0 days and 12.621.0 days respectively. In the preterm group their mean age at the time of admission was 5.214.9 months and the mean gestational age was 33.14.3 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2,152950 g. Only 4 patients were born under 28 weeks gestational age and were candidates for palivizumab administration. Conclusion : Most of the patients with severe RSV lower respiratory tract infection were term or near term infants who were not candidates for palivizumab prophylaxis. A nationwide study is needed to make a new risk stratified guideline for RSV prophylaxis for our country.

Purpose : This study was aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute interstitial pneumonia who had presented similar clinical patterns from March to June, 2006 and to describe our experience of treatment and to identify risk factors associated with prognosis. Methods : The clinical characteristics, radiologic and histopathologic findings and response to steroids of 15 patients (non-survival group [n=7] and survival group [control, n=8]) with acute interstitial pneumonia were investigated through the review of medical records. Results : The mean age of the patients was 26 (range: 3-48) months. Cough, cyanosis and fever were frequent symptoms. The most frequent radiologic findings on admission were pneumomediastium and extensive ground glass opacity. Surgical lung biopsy was performed on 8/15 (53.3%) patients and diffuse alveolar damage was found. Mechanical ventilation was applied for 9/15 (60.0%) patients for 40 (range: 1-99) days. Five patients in survival group received steroid treatment and 7 patients in non-survivial group (P=0.20). One patient in survival group received steroid pulse treatment and 4 patients in non-survival group (P=0.12). Seven patients died all of respiratory failure. The survival rate was 53.4%. Conclusion : The patients with acute interstitial pneumonia which occurred on spring 2006 showed high mortality because of rapidly and extensively progressing pulmonary fibrosis and air leakage. Therefore, we should consider surgical lung biopsy and steroid application earlier. We should recognize this acute interstitial pneumonia occurring on spring in domestics and need to investigate the cause and treatment in large scale.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telagiectasia (HHT), which is characterized by the classic triad of mucocutaneous telangiectases, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and inheritance, is an autosomal dominant disorder. The characteristic manifestations of HHT are all due to abnormalities of the vascular structure. This report deals with the case of a 14-year-old girl with typical features of HHT that include recurrent epistaxis, mucocutanous telangiectases, pulmonary and cerebral AVMs and a familial occurrence.

Purpose : To evaluate the potential prognostic value of the antithrombin-III (AT-III) level in the children with acute lung injury (ALI), we analyzed several early predictive factors of death including AT-III level at the onset of ALI and compared the relative risk of them for mortality. Methods : Over a 18-month period, a total of 198 children were admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit and 21 mechanically ventilated patients met ALI criteria, as defined by American-European consensus conference, i.e., bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and PaO2/FiO2 lower than 300 without left atrial hypertension. Demographic variables, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, underlying diseases, as well as Pediatric Risk of Mortality-III (PRISM-III) scores and Lung Injury Score (LIS) at admission were collected. AT-III levels were measured within 3 hours after admission. These variables were compared between survivors and non-survivors and entered into a multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate their independent prognostic roles. Results : The overall mortality rate was 38.1% (8/21). Non-survivors showed lower age, lower lung compliance, higher PEEP, higher oxygenation index (OI), lower arterial pH, lower PaO2/FiO2, higher PRISM-III score and LIS, and lower AT-III level. PRISM-III score, LIS, OI and decreased AT-III level (less than 70%) were independently associated with a risk of death and the odds ratio of decreased AT-III level for mortality is 2.75 (95% confidence interval; 1.28-4.12) Conclusion : These results suggest that the decreased level of AT-III is an important prognostic factor in children with ALI and the replacement of AT-III may be considered as an early therapeutic trial.