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Soon Min Lee

Yonsei University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Soon Min Lee's research lab specializes in neonatal and perinatal health, with a primary focus on high-risk infants, particularly very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) preterm infants. The lab investigates critical neonatal conditions such as postnatal growth failure, neonatal sepsis, congenital syphilis, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and rickets of prematurity, emphasizing epidemiology, risk factor identification, and long-term outcomes. Using large-scale national databases, the lab conducts population-based studies to inform clinical practice and public health policy in neonatal care. The research direction is strongly translational, aiming to improve survival, growth, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in vulnerable newborns.

neonatal healthvery-low-birth-weight infantsprematurity complicationsneonatal sepsiscongenital syphilis

Research Overview

Papers
210
Total Citations
1,705
Papers (5y)
37
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
37total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
249total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|87 citations·2018
Prediction of Postnatal Growth Failure among Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Soon Min Lee, Namhyo Kim, Ran Namgung, Min Soo Park, Kook-In Park, Jihyun Jeon
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

Postnatal growth failure (PGF) in preterm infants remains an important clinical issue. In this study, we analysed the incidence of PGF among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and evaluated the risk factors for PGF based on the data of 2799 VLBW infants obtained from the Korean Neonatal Network database from 2013 to 2014. PGF was defined as a decrease in weight Z score between birth and discharge of more than -1.28 using the Fenton growth charts. Risk factors were evaluated in relation to birt

Nutrition and DieteticsNursing
2
Article|60 citations·2021
Evaluation of Trends in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Respiratory Support Practice for Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Soon Min Lee, Lillian Sie, Jessica Liu, Jochen Profit, Henry Lee
SJR Q1The Journal of PediatricsOA
Pulmonary and Respiratory MedicineMedicine
3
Article|58 citations·2015
Blood Culture Proven Early Onset Sepsis and Late Onset Sepsis in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Korea
Soon Min Lee, Mea-young Chang, Ki Soo Kim
SJR Q2Journal of Korean Medical ScienceOA

Neonatal sepsis remains one of the most important causes of death and co-morbidity in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. The aim of this study was to determine the current incidences of early-onset sepsis (EOS) and late-onset sepsis (LOS), the distribution of pathogens, and the impact of infection on co-morbidities in VLBW infants. We analyzed the data including sepsis episode from 2,386 VLBW infants enrolled in Korean Neonatal Network from January 2013 to June 2014. We defined EOS as a posit

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthMedicine
4
Article|43 citations·2021
Outcomes of infants born to pregnant women with syphilis: a nationwide study in Korea
Joohee Lim, So Jin Yoon, Jeong Eun Shin, Jung Ho Han, Soon Min Lee, Ho Seon Eun, Min Soo Park, Kook In Park
SJR Q2BMC PediatricsOA

BACKGROUND: Despite the expansion of antenatal syphilis screening programs, congenital syphilis (CS) remains a concern. PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the manifestation and progress of CS, including treatment and follow-up, based on a nationwide study. METHODS: From the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, a total of 548 infants were examined for CS during their first year of life from 2013 to 2018. Neurosyphilis and complications were investigated using the International Cla

PhysiologyMedicine
5
Article|37 citations·2023
Growth and developmental outcomes of infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
Joonsik Park, Sook-Hyun Park, Chloe Kim, So Jin Yoon, Joohee Lim, Jung Ho Han, Jeong Eun Shin, Ho Seon Eun, Min Soo Park, Soon Min Lee
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

Despite advances in obstetric care, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains a significant disease burden. We determined the national trends of HIE prevalence, therapeutic hypothermia (TH) use, mortality, and outcomes from 2012 to 2019. This study included term infants diagnosed with HIE between 2012 and 2019 from the National Health Insurance Service database. The prevalence of HIE was 2.4 per 1000 births without significant change during the period. TH was performed in approximately 6.7%

Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child HealthMedicine
6
Article|30 citations·2012
High Incidence of Rickets in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants with Severe Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Cholestasis and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Soon Min Lee, Ran Namgung, Min Soo Park, Ho Seon Eun, Kook In Park, Chul Lee
SJR Q2Journal of Korean Medical ScienceOA

Risk factors for rickets of prematurity have not been re-examined since introduction of high mineral formula, particularly in ELBW infants. We analyzed the incidence and the risk factors of rickets in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. As a retrospective case-control study from 2004 to 2008, risk factors were analyzed in 24 patients with rickets versus 31 patients without. The frequency of rickets in ELBW infants was 24/55 (44%). Infants with rickets were diagnosed at 48.2 ± 16.1 days of

Nutrition and DieteticsNursing
7
Article|27 citations·2012
Usefulness of the delta neutrophil index for assessing neonatal sepsis
Soon Min Lee, Ho Seon Eun, Ran Namgung, Min Soo Park, Kook I Park, Chul Lee
SJR Q1Acta PaediatricaOA

AIM: We investigated the significance of the calculated delta neutrophil index (DNI) as a diagnostic factor for neonatal sepsis. METHODS: In retrospective study, 24 infants were diagnosed with blood culture-proven sepsis, and 48 non-septic neonates matched for gestational age, and birth weight served as controls. Among the 24 infants with sepsis, 5 died within 7 days at diagnosis. RESULTS: Mean DNI (at diagnosis, after 24 h and 72 h), CRP and WBC counts were significantly higher, and neutrophil

Public Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthMedicine
8
Article|27 citations·2021
Patent ductus arteriosus treatment trends and associated morbidities in neonates
Joonsik Park, So Jin Yoon, Jung Ho Han, In Gyu Song, Joohee Lim, Jeong Eun Shin, Ho Seon Eun, Kook I Park, Min Soo Park, Soon Min Lee
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

To evaluate national epidemiologic data on infants treated for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in Korea and analyze outcomes associated with different PDA treatments. We retrospectively evaluated data on 12,336 patients diagnosed with PDA (International Classification of Diseases-10 code: Q250) between 2015 and 2018 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database. Among them, 1623 patients underwent surgical ligation (code: O1671). We used birth certificate data from Statistics Korea to

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and ImagingMedicine
9
Article|26 citations·2017
The Mediator Role of Perceived Stress in the Relationship between Academic Stress and Depressive Symptoms among E-learning Students with Visual Impairments
Soon Min Lee, Yunjin Oh
SJR Q3Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness

Introduction This study examined a mediator role of perceived stress on the prediction of the effects of academic stress on depressive symptoms among e-learning students with visual impairments. Methods A convenience sample for this study was collected for three weeks from November to December in 2012 among students with visual impairments attending a Korean cyberuniversity in Seoul. A total of 103 students with visual impairments completed the survey via e-mail or telephone, with an overall res

Leadership and ManagementNursing
10
Article|23 citations·2019
The Clinical Risk Index for Babies II for Prediction of Time-Dependent Mortality and Short-Term Morbidities in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Soon Min Lee, Myung Hee Lee, Yun Sil Chang, and the Korean Neonatal Network
SJR Q1NeonatologyOA

BACKGROUND: A simple predictive indicator of mortality and morbidities is essential to assess neonatal illness severity and plan proper management. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the time-dependent performance of the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) II in predicting mortality and major short-term morbidities among very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). METHODS: This population-based prospective study from 67 Korean Neonatal Network centers performed between 2013 and 2016 included 5,29

Pulmonary and Respiratory MedicineMedicine
11
Article|21 citations·2021
Population pharmacokinetics and dose optimization of vancomycin in neonates
Soon Min Lee, Seungwon Yang, Soyoung Kang, Min Jung Chang
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

Abstract The pharmacokinetics of vancomycin vary among neonates, and we aimed to conduct population pharmacokinetic analysis to determine the optimal dosage of vancomycin in Korean neonates. From a retrospective chart review, neonates treated with vancomycin from 2008 to 2017 in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were included. Vancomycin concentrations were collected based on therapeutic drug monitoring, and other patient characteristics were gathered through electronic medical records. We a

Infectious DiseasesMedicine
12
Article|20 citations·2009
A Case of Suspected Isotretinoin-Induced Malformation in a Baby of a Mother Who Became Pregnant One Month after Discontinuation of the Drug
Soon Min Lee, He Min Kim, Jun Seok Lee, Choon Sik Yoon, Min Soo Park, Kook In Park, Ran Namgung, Chul Lee
SJR Q2Yonsei Medical JournalOA

Isotretinoin is a known human teratogen that can cause multiple malformations. At present, women who conceive one cycle after discontinuing isotretinoin are told that their teratogenic risk is not higher than baseline. We present a case of both-ear malformation in a newborn whose mother had taken isotretinoin for 2 years until one month prior to the time when she became pregnant. We suggest that further studies of pharmacokinetics and malformation of isotretinoin are needed.

DermatologyMedicine
13
Article|19 citations·2023
Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells Over-Expressing BDNF Protect the Brain from Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Neuronal Death, Neurological Deficits, and Cognitive Impairments
Bo Young Choi, Dae Ki Hong, Beom Seok Kang, Si Hyun Lee, Si Hyun Lee, Seung‐Hyuk Choi, Hyo‐Jin Kim, Soon Min Lee, Soon Min Lee, Sang Won Suh
SJR Q1PharmaceuticalsOA

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes transitory or permanent neurological and cognitive impairments, which can intensify over time due to secondary neuronal death. However, no therapy currently exists that can effectively treat brain injury following TBI. Here, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of irradiated engineered human mesenchymal stem cells over-expressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which we denote by BDNF-eMSCs, in protecting the brain against neuronal death, neurologic

EpidemiologyMedicine
14
Article|18 citations·2018
The predictors for the non-compliance to follow-up among very low birth weight infants in the Korean neonatal network
Nam Hyo Kim, Young‐Ah Youn, Su Jin Cho, Jong Hee Hwang, Ee‐Kyung Kim, Ellen Ai‐Rhan Kim, Soon Min Lee, Korean Neonatal Network
SJR Q1PLoS ONEOA

The critical need to emphasize preterm infant follow-up after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge assures early identification of and intervention for neurodevelopmental disability. The aims of this study were to observe the follow-up rates in high-risk follow-up clinics, and analyze factors associated with non-compliance to follow-up among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The data was prospectively collected for 3063 VLBW infants between January 2013 and December 2014 from 57 Kor

Pulmonary and Respiratory MedicineMedicine
15
Article|17 citations·2012
Effects of cytochrome P450 (CYP)2C19 polymorphisms on pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital in neonates and infants with seizures
Soon Min Lee, Jae‐Yong Chung, Young‐Mock Lee, Min Soo Park, Ran Namgung, Kook In Park, Chul Lee
SJR Q1Archives of Disease in Childhood

PB PK parameters of neonates and infants with seizures were not significantly different among the groups with different CYP2C19 genotypes. The addition of CYP2C19 genotyping to PK models did not improve the dosing strategies in neonates and infants.

PharmacologyPharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Research Areas

Pulmonary and Respiratory MedicineAerospace EngineeringNutrition and DieteticsPediatrics, Perinatology and Child HealthSurgeryGenetics

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