METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on all children aged 2-16 years who were admitted to the University Malaya Medical Centre with community-acquired pneumonia between 2012 and 2014.
RESULTS: In this study, of the 343 children, 58 (17%) developed CAPc. Chinese ethnicity (P < 0.001), reduced breastfeeding duration (P = 0.003), not receiving outpatient antibiotic (P < 0.001) and exposure to parental smoking (P < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for CAPc. Markedly increased respiratory rate (P = 0.021) and thrombocytosis (P < 0.001) were noted as the clinical parameters for CAPc.
CONCLUSION: This study identifies some modifiable risk to reduce the burden of pneumonia complications.
METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 185 families of paediatric COVID-19 cases from 1 February 2020 to 31 December 2020. We identified the index case for each household and gathered the socio-demographic, epidemiological investigation results and risk factors for household transmission from medical case records. The secondary attack rate was calculated, and logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with secondary household transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
RESULTS: Of the 848 household contacts, 466 acquired secondary infections, resulting in a secondary attack rate of 55%. The median age of the secondary cases was 12 years. Female household contacts and household contacts who slept in the same room with the index case were significantly associated with increased risk for COVID-19. Other independent risk factors associated with higher transmission risk in the household included an index case who was symptomatic, a household index case aged greater than 18 years and a male household index case.
CONCLUSIONS: High rates of household transmission of COVID-19 were found, indicating households were a major setting of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Our data provide insight into the risk factors for household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Malaysia.
METHODS: A review of medical records of children who underwent adenotonsillectomy between January 2011 and December 2014 was performed. Association between demographic variables and post-operative complications were examined using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.
RESULTS: A total of 214 children were identified, and of these, 19 (8.8%) experienced post-operative complications. Six children (2.8%) had respiratory complications: hypoxaemia in four and laryngospasm requiring reintubation in a further two. Both of the latter patients were extubated upon arrival to PICU and required no escalation of therapy. A total of 13 (6.1%) children had non-respiratory complications: 8 (3.7%) had infection and 5 (2.3%) had haemorrhage. A total of 26 (12.1%) children were electively admitted to PICU and mean stay was 19.5 (SD ± 13) h. No association between demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions or polysomnographic parameters and post-operative complications were noted. A total of 194 (90.7%) children stayed only one night in hospital (median 1 day, range 1-5 days).
CONCLUSION: The previously identified risk factors and criteria for PICU admission need revision, and new recommendations are necessary.
METHODS: Anonymous questionnaires to assess practices on feeding, nutrition management and post-natal growth monitoring of tSGA infants were distributed among health-care professionals (HCPs) participating in regional/local perinatology symposia in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-seven respondents from Malaysia (37%), Thailand (27%), Singapore (18%) and other Asian countries (19%) participated in the survey. Respondents were neonatologists (35%), paediatricians (25%) and other HCPs (40%) including nurses and midwives. Exclusive human milk feeding was reported the most preferred feeding option for tSGA infants, followed by fortified human milk feeding (60% and 20%, respectively). This was consistent among the different countries. The perceived nutrient requirements of tSGA infants varied between countries. Most respondents from Malaysia and Singapore reported requirements to be similar to preterm infants, while the majority from Thailand reported that it was less than those of preterm infants. The World Health Organization Growth Chart of 2006 and Fenton Growth Charts of 2013 were the most frequently used charts for growth monitoring in the hospital and after discharge.
CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition management and perceived nutrient requirements for tSGA infants among practising HCPs in Southeast Asia showed considerable variation. The impetus to form standardised and evidence based feeding regimens is important as adequate nutritional management and growth monitoring particularly in this population of infants will have long term impact on population health.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study using IMPACT-III questionnaires evaluating HRQoL in children aged 8-17 years with duration of IBD of ≥6 months was conducted. IMPACT-III, a validated instrument designed to measure HRQoL in children with IBD, was used. Higher IMPACT-III (maximum = 100) score indicates better HRQoL. Impact of socio-demographic and clinical factors of IBD on the HRQoL was evaluated. Paediatric Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) activity indices were used to classify disease severity.
RESULTS: A total of 75 children (UC = 44, CD = 41; mean (SD) age at diagnosis 8.2 (3.5) years) were interviewed at mean age of 12.8 (2.7) years. Mean IMPACT-III score was significantly lower in children with more severe disease (mild: 71.8 (13.6) vs. moderate: 65.5 (10.9) vs. severe: 46.3 (14.5); P
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 11 paediatric endocrine units in Malaysia. Blood samples for antithyroglobulin antibodies, antithyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid function test were obtained. In patients with pre-existing thyroid disease, information on clinical and biochemical thyroid status was obtained from medical records.
RESULTS: Ninety-seven TS patients with a mean age of 13.4 ± 4.8 years were recruited. Thyroid autoimmunity was found in 43.8% of TS patients. Nineteen per cent of those with thyroid autoimmunity had autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto thyroiditis in 7.3% and hyperthyroidism in 1% of total population). Patients with isochromosome X and patients with 45,X mosaicism or other X chromosomal abnormalities were more prone to have thyroid autoimmunity compared to those with 45,X karyotype (OR 5.09, 95% CI 1.54-16.88, P = 0.008 and OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.32-8.82, P = 0.01 respectively). The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity increased with age (33.3% for age 0-9.9 years; 46.8% for age 10-19.9 years and 57.1% age for 20-29.9 years) with autoimmune thyroid disease detected in 14.3% during adulthood.
CONCLUSION: Thyroid autoimmunity was significantly associated with the non 45,X karyotype group, particularly isochromosome X. Annual screening of thyroid function should be carried out upon diagnosis of TS until adulthood with more frequent monitoring recommended in the presence of thyroid autoimmunity.