• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.233-236
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• 2008

In recent years, Korea has experienced a steadily declining birth rate, which is a serious social problem in the country. Although living conditions have improved, the birth rates for low birth weight infants and preterm babies has increased because more and more women choose to give birth later in life and the social environment has changed. The rise in low birth weight infants may increase infant mortality rates and morbidity rates. However, the recent improvements in neonatal care has elevated the survival rate of low birth weight infants up to 90 percent and lowered the weight of the very low birth weight infants that can now be saved. In this study, we used dynamic population statistics from the Korea National Statistical Office, which represents the current trend of social stratification and the population of this period. We analyzed birth records for a seven-year period and studied the changes in the delivery rate of preterm and low birth weight infants and the problems related to those changes. The results show that the rate of low birth weight infants has increased from 3.79% to 4.35% for the past seven years. The rate of preterm babies rose from 3.79% to 4.89%. The number of babies born from mothers aged 35 or more went up from 6.69% to 11.83% of the total number of the babies born. As maternal age has risen, the risks of delivering a preterm or low birth weight infant have also increased.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.255-259
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• 2020

Along with the low birth rate in Korea, the aging of mothers is progressing very rapidly. Recent studies have reported that the obstetric infrastructure is crumbling due to the accelerating closures of obstetric medical institutions resulting from the low birth rate and low reimbursement rates for obstetric procedures. The number of birth centers has also decreased, but women's interest in natural birth has actually increased, such that deliveries at birth centers now account for 11.8% of deliveries in obstetric clinics. In the Netherlands, Japan, and the United Kingdom, initiatives to promote natural birth through care provided by midwives increased the rate of natural births, decreased the number of cesarean sections, and lowered the rate of postpartum complications. In light of these examples, South Korea should also encourage natural delivery by midwives. A national support system for midwife applicants is necessary, and the requirements for institutions that train midwives should be revised. Independent birth centers should have emergency prescription privileges, and women should be given the choice to have a natural delivery by creating birth centers within hospitals.

• 한국생활과학회지
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.817-833
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• 2010

This study was dedicated to searching better course of low birth rate study in Korea by carefully analyzing past and present low birth rate researches. For this 179 studies(101 master thesis and 78 journal articles) from 1991 to 2009 were analyzed. Next, using SPSS Win 12.0, the research type, topic, participants, data collection and method of data analysis were compared to the studies' years of publication. The most frequently applied research approach, topic, sampling method, data collection procedure and data analysis method in the research was found to be a literature study, solution and prevention of low birth rate related policy, literature study, literacy analysis. In conclusion, low birth rate studies should become more diversified in terms of types of the research, data collection method, and data analysis. Additionally, research topics should become more realistic and specified. Moreover, research results should be verified before they are applied to the policy.

• 융합경영연구
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

This current study aims to investigate the reason for the low birth rate and increasing aging populations. It aims to offer potential countermeasures and possible solutions that might alleviate the decreasing birth rate and exponentially increasing aging populations. The present research has sought out to uncover the origin of the low birth rates and increasing aging populations by compiling various past studies and statistics in South Korea. It includes additional support from the government for working career women in easing their burden for raising a child and allocating the appropriate funds for the increasing elderly populations. The decreasing birth rate can be contributed as a side effect of the past policies passed in South Korea and in turn created an increase in the aging populations. Policies to tackle this current issue needs to be further investigated and employed for the future of the economic and sociological stability of the society. Consistent efforts need to be made to dispel the continuing decrease for birth rates and alarmingly increasing aging populations. Policies and redistribution of government funds are some of the many things that need to be revised.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.191-203
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• 1999

A clinical study was made on 365 low birth weight infant and 406 normal birth weight infant who had been born at Kangnam St. mary's Hospital during past 3 years from Jan. 1, 1995 to Dec. 31, 1997. the data of this study were gathered through reviewing of medical records. 1. Comparison of general characteristic with of obstetric characteristic 1) Old maternal age, previous abortion and previous LBWI delivery in the group of low birth weight infant(LBWI) mother were more prevalent than those in the group of normal birth weight infant(NBWI)mother 2) Cesarean section, abnormal presentation and multiple pregnancy in the group of LBWI mother were prevalent than those in the group of NBWI mother. 3) regular antenartal care and visiting rate of tertiary hospital in the group of LBWI mother were more prevalent than those in the group of NBWI mother. 2. Frequency of low birth weight infant 1) Anmual average frequency of LBWI was 6.5% and monthly frequency was the highest in January and december. 2) The frequency of LBWI was the highest in 37-40wks of gestational age and was the highest in 2251-2500 gm of birth weight. 3) The frequency of congenital anomaly in the group of LBWI was more prevalent than that of NBWI. 3. Mortality rate of LBWI The mortality rate of LBWI was 9.2%. The highest mortality rate was noted before 27wks of gestational age, less than 1000gm of birth weight and within 12hrs of delivery. 4. The most common complication of pregnant women was pre-term labor, the most complication relating to placenta was premature rupture of membrane(PROM) and the most fetal complication was fetal distress in delivered LBWI. 5. Significant relating factors of low birth weight infant delivery were associated with maternal age, previous delivery, previous low birth weight delivery, pre-eclampsia, anemia, oligohydramnios, PROM, placenta previa, abruptio placenta, fetal sex, fetal distress and congenital anomaly.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.237-242
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• 2008

To investigate the trends in the survival rate (SR) for very low birth weight infants (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI) in Korea, a total of 43 articles pertaining to SR were analyzed, covering the years from 1967 to 2007. The changes in SR were compared using 5 year periods. The SR for VLBWI has increased remarkably, from 31.8% in early 1960 to 65.8% in early 1990 and 78.8% in early 2000. The SR for ELBWI has increased from 8.2% in early 1960 to 37.4% in early 1990 and 62.4% in early 2000. The SR has improved steeply since early 1990. When the SRs for VLBWI in Korea were compared with those in the U.S.A. and Japan, the figures were 40%, 72%, and 79% in 1985; 65.8%, 82%, and 86% in 1990; 71.3%, 86%, and 88% in 1995; 78.8%, 86%, and 89% in 2000, respectively. Although the recent SRs for VLBWI and ELBWI in Korea has improved rapidly, they have not yet reached the levels in these highly developed countries. To obtain accurate statistics that could be represented as an SR for premature infants in Korea, we have to develop a nationwide network database project.

• 한국주거학회논문집
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.31-41
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• 2015

Korea has shown the lowest birth rate among OECD countries for over 10 years. This caused various social tensions and problems including negative impacts on national economy. To deal with these problems and to cope with future risk, diverse strategies must be actively explored. The purpose of this research is to delineate the characteristics of Toronto Birth Centre in Canada which was established currently to support families. Field visit study was the major methodology which includes interview with a staff and walk-through guided observation accompanied by visual recording. As a result, the specific functions and the logic of utilizing the center along with its spatial characteristics were delineated. The result has significant implication in developing coping strategies to release the social tension. The birth center can be an efficient strategy to include as a public strategy to Korean Society who has suffered from long lasting lowest birth rate.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제31권
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• pp.23.1-23.6
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• 2016

Objectives A stable follow-up participation rate is a very important factor for validity in a cohort study. This study analyzed the factors that affect the participation rate at one hospital-based birth cohort in South Korean. Methods The participants were recruited from the Mothers' and Children's Environmental Health study between 2006 and 2010. The analysis targeted 1751 mothers who participated in a birth cohort. We conducted analyses of general characteristics during pregnancy and those of infants at birth that affect the participation rate of the 6-month follow-up survey. Results The participation rate for the 6-month follow-up survey was 60.4%. The participation rate in the follow-up of the subsequent period decreased within a 5% to 10% range compared to the number of subjects. The participation rate of premature infants was 16.9% lower than that of a full-term infant (52.6% vs. 69.5%). Analysis showed a 16.7% difference between the participation rate of low-birthweight infants in follow-ups (53.7%) and the participation rate of infants with normal weight (70.4%). The participation rate of mothers who were employed during pregnancy was significantly lower for the 6-month follow-up compared to the participation rate of mothers who were unemployed during pregnancy. Conclusions In this study, factors such as premature birth, low-birthweight, and the employment status of the mother during pregnancy affected the participation rate of the follow-up survey for the birth cohort at six months. A specific strategy is needed to encourage survey participation for the high risk groups in the follow-ups.

• 기독교교육논총
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• 제65권
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• pp.55-80
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• 2021

본 연구는 국가적, 사회적 문제가되고있는 저출산 문제의 심각성에 대한 기독교 종교적 대안과 대안을 모색하고자 하였다. 대한민국은 저출산 국가이다. 저출산과 출산 기피 현상은 국가적인 문제뿐 아니라 한국교회에도 심각한 문제가 발생하고 있는 것이 현실이며, 계속해서 영향을 줄 것이다. 크게 네 가지로 교회에 영향을 미칠 것이다. 첫째 교인 수의 급격한 감소이다. 둘째 이로 인해서 교회학교의 쇠퇴이다. 셋째 다양한 가족 문제와 세대 갈등이 생길 것이다. 그리고 교인들의 신앙 위기 등의 문제를 가져온다. 오늘을 사는 젊은이들은 결혼과 출산 그리고 자녀 양육에 대해 얽매이지 않으려는 태도를 가지고 있다. 그러나 기독교인에게 자녀 출산은 하나님께서 '생육하고 번성하며 땅에 충만 하라.' 축복하신 것을 삶으로 실천하는 것이다. 즉, 자녀 출산은 인간이 결정할 수 있는 것이 아니라 하나님의 축복임을 인식해야 한다. 따라서 태아가 하나님 앞에서 얼마나 소중한 존재로 귀한 생명인 줄 알아야 한다. 그리하여 주신 생명을 어떻게 잘 양육할 것인지 관심 갖도록 해야 한다. 그러기 위해서는 성경적 관점에서 생명의 가치를 형성하도록 교회의 역할은 교육이다. 그러므로 결혼과 출산 그리고 자녀 양육을 앞두고 있는 청년과 기혼 부부의 기독교 신앙이 자녀의 출산과 양육에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 확인해 볼 필요가 있다. 그리고 저출산 문제를 해결하기 위해 교회와 기독교 교육의 역할은 무엇인지에 대해서 연구하고 대처 방안을 제시할 필요가 있다. 이 연구를 위하여 먼저 저출산의 요인들을 확인해 볼 것이다. 그런 다음에 자녀의 출산과 하나님의 축복임을 성경을 통해서 확인할 것이다. 끝으로 저출산을 교회의 역할과 교육적인 대안들을 제시하게 될 것이다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.729-732
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• 2000

Weight records from birth to calving and calving scores of 407 two-year old heifers and weights of their offspring from birth to one year of age were used to study the effects of sire birth weight on maternal traits of their female progeny. The heifers (G1) were the progeny of 81 sires (G0) and were classified into three classes based on their sires' birth weights (High, Medium and Low). The heifers were from three distinct breed-groups and were mated to bulls with medium birth weights within each breed-group to produce the second generation (G2). The data were analyzed using a covariance model. The female progeny of high birth-weight sires were heavier from birth to calving than those sired by medium and low birth-weight bulls. The effect of sire birth weight on calving difficulty scores of their female progeny was not significant. Grand progeny (G2) of low birth-weight sires were lighter at birth than those from high birth-weight sires (p<0.05) but they did not differ significantly in weaning and yearling weights with the other two Grand progeny groups. The results indicated that using low birth weight sires would not result in an increase in the incidence of dystocia among their female progeny calving at two-year of age and would not have an adverse effect on weaning and yearling weights of their grand progeny.