Displaying publications 1621 - 1640 of 2798 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia testing in the Malaysian population: real-world data sourced from a national reference laboratory
    Raja Bongsu RH, Khalid K, Razali WAD, Zainal Abidin N, Saiful Nizam NAI, Rahidin NA, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2024 Aug;46(2):247-257.
    PMID: 39207002
    Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is primarily caused by mutations in genes responsible to produce enzymes involved in the synthesis of cortisol, aldosterone, or both. This study aims to determine the prevalence, sociodemographic distributions, and clinical factors associated with CAH in the Malaysian population. This retrospective study reviewed laboratory records of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) test requests received at the Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur from January 2021 to December 2021. Descriptive statistics were employed for most variables, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with CAH. The dataset included a total of 775 patients (64.2%) from 1,207 test requests screened. The prevalence of newly diagnosed CAH in the year 2021 was 13.5% (n=105). The majority were Malays (15.1%), neonates (13.8%), and females (45.7%). Higher baseline 17-OHP (cOR:1.31, 95% CI:1.19, 1.45), unknown gender at birth (cOR:7.82, 95% CI:2.86, 21.37), and neonatal age group at presentation (cOR:29.3, 95% CI:12.07, 71.03) independently predict CAH. The high prevalence of CAH in our region has been speculated to be due to the cultural consanguinity norms, resulting in genetic aberrations. CAH may manifest as ambiguous genitalia, particularly in females, due to the overproduction of androgens in-utero, resulting in atypical genitalia, necessitating thorough investigation. To the best of our knowledge, the data presented are the latest report on CAH prevalence, distribution, and description of positive CAH cases in the Malaysian population. These findings are essential for further public health planning to improve the diagnostic capacity and clinical management of CAH.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  2. Fulltext Prevalence and severity of anaemia among the Temiar sub-ethnic indigenous Orang Asli communities in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia
    Idris ZM, Wahid W, Seri Rakna MIM, Ghazali N, Hassan NW, Abdul Manap SNA, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2024;12:1412496.
    PMID: 39171304 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1412496
    INTRODUCTION: Anaemia remains a primary concern of public health in developing countries. Indigenous populations are a significant and frequently underreported group at risk for anaemia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anaemia and identify its determinants in the Temiar sub-ethnic indigenous Orang Asli (OA) community in Peninsular Malaysia.

    METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 640 indigenous Temiar OA participants from a remote settlement in Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews with a standardised pretested questionnaire and through blood samples collected for haemoglobin (Hb) testing. Anaemia status was determined using the Hb level cut-off established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Descriptive analysis was used to determine the prevalence of anaemia, while multiple logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with anaemia.

    RESULTS: The overall anaemia prevalence was 44.7% (286/640), and the prevalence rates of mild, moderate and severe anaemia were 42.7, 50.7 and 6.6%, respectively. Anaemia-specific prevalence varied significantly by age group (p  40 (aOR 0.25, p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  3. Twenty-four Month Outcomes of Extended- Versus Standard-course Antibiotic Therapy in Children Hospitalized With Pneumonia in High-risk Settings: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    Kok HC, McCallum GB, Yerkovich ST, Grimwood K, Fong SM, Nathan AM, et al.
    Pediatr Infect Dis J, 2024 Sep 01;43(9):872-879.
    PMID: 38830139 DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004407
    BACKGROUND: Pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can lead to long-term respiratory sequelae, including bronchiectasis. We determined if an extended (13-14 days) versus standard (5-6 days) antibiotic course improves long-term outcomes in children hospitalized with CAP from populations at high risk of chronic respiratory disease.

    METHODS: We undertook a multicenter, double-blind, superiority, randomized controlled trial involving 7 Australian, New Zealand, and Malaysian hospitals. Children aged 3 months to ≤5 years hospitalized with radiographic-confirmed CAP who received 1-3 days of intravenous antibiotics, then 3 days of oral amoxicillin-clavulanate, were randomized to either extended-course (8-day oral amoxicillin-clavulanate) or standard-course (8-day oral placebo) arms. Children were reviewed at 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was children with the composite endpoint of chronic respiratory symptoms/signs (chronic cough at 12 and 24 months; ≥1 subsequent hospitalized acute lower respiratory infection by 24 months; or persistent and/or new chest radiographic signs at 12-months) at 24-months postdischarge, analyzed by intention-to-treat, where children with incomplete follow-up were assumed to have chronic respiratory symptoms/signs ("worst-case" scenario).

    RESULTS: A total of 324 children were randomized [extended-course (n = 163), standard-course (n = 161)]. For our primary outcome, chronic respiratory symptoms/signs occurred in 97/163 (60%) and 94/161 (58%) children in the extended-courses and standard-courses, respectively [relative risk (RR) = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-1.22]. Among children where all sub-composite outcomes were known, chronic respiratory symptoms/signs between groups, RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.69-1.76 [extended-course = 27/93 (29%) and standard-course = 24/91 (26%)]. Additional sensitivity analyses also revealed no between-group differences.

    CONCLUSION: Among children from high-risk populations hospitalized with CAP, 13-14 days of antibiotics (versus 5-6 days), did not improve long-term respiratory outcomes.

    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  4. Fulltext Multicentre case-control study of pneumococcal infections among children with pneumonia in Peninsular Malaysia (MY-Pneumo): a study protocol
    Ramzi NH, Hoong ATC, Johari NA, Nathan AM, Teh CSJ, Sulaiman NA, et al.
    BMC Public Health, 2024 Aug 20;24(1):2255.
    PMID: 39164673 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19789-9
    BACKGROUND: S. pneumoniae (SPN) is the most common cause of pneumonia. The disease can be effectively prevented through immunisation. Since December 2020, the Malaysian Government has included the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) for all infants born on or after 1 January 2020 as part of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP). However, the epidemiology of pneumonia remains poorly understood. To fill the knowledge gap, we established a multicentre surveillance study to understand the burden of pneumococcal pneumonia among young children in Peninsular Malaysia.

    METHODS: MY-Pneumo is a multicentre prospective case-control study conducted in three sentinel sites located in three different states of Peninsular Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, and Kelantan. A cohort of at least 500 incident cases and 500 controls is enrolled beginning in October 2021 and matched for age. Cases are hospitalised children 

    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  5. Fulltext Undocumented: An examination of legal identity and education provision for children in Malaysia
    Loganathan T, Chan ZX, Hassan F, Ong ZL, Majid HA
    PLoS One, 2022;17(2):e0263404.
    PMID: 35108343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263404
    Education is a fundamental human right. Yet there remain gaps in our understanding of undocumented children in Malaysia and their vulnerabilities in education access. This study aims to describe and contextualise undocumented children in Malaysia and their access to education. We conducted a desk review and in-depth interviews with 33 key stakeholders from June 2020 to March 2021. Framework analysis was conducted. Salient themes were geographical location and legal identity in terms of citizenship and migration status. We found that the lack of legal identity and non-recognition by the State was the root cause of vulnerability, experienced uniformly by undocumented populations in Malaysia. Only undocumented children with Malaysian parents or guardians can enter public schools under the Malaysian government's 'Zero Reject Policy'. Most undocumented and non-citizen children must rely on informal education provided by alternative or community learning centres that typically lack standardised curricula, resources, and accreditation for education progression beyond primary levels. Nevertheless, as non-citizen groups are diverse, certain groups experience more privilege, while others are more disadvantaged in terms of the quality of informal education and the highest level of education accessible. In Peninsular Malaysia, a very small proportion of refugees and asylum-seekers may additionally access tertiary education on scholarships. In Sabah, children of Indonesian migrant workers have access to learning centres with academic accreditation supported by employers in plantations and the Indonesian Consulate, whereas Filipino migrants who were initially recognised as refugees are now receiving little government or embassy support. Stateless Rohingya refugees in Peninsular Malaysia and Bajau Laut children at Sabah are arguably the most marginalised and have the poorest educational opportunities at basic literacy and numeracy levels, despite the latter receiving minimal governmental education support. Implementing a rights-based approach towards education would mean allowing all children equal opportunity to access and thrive in high-quality schools.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  6. Distribution of intestinal parasitic infections amongst aborigine children at Post Sungai Rual, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Hartini Y, Geishamimi G, Mariam AZ, Mohamed-Kamel AG, Hidayatul FO, Ismarul YI
    Trop Biomed, 2013 Dec;30(4):596-601.
    PMID: 24522128 MyJurnal
    Intestinal parasitic infections are important public health problems among underprivileged communities. This study was carried out to evaluate the infection rate of intestinal parasites among aborigine children at Pos Sungai Rual, Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 111 faecal samples from aborigine children aged 4-12 years were screened for intestinal parasites by direct smear technique. Harada-Mori culture was also performed to identify hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis larvae. The results showed that 87.4% of the children examined were positive for one or more parasites. Intestinal parasites were significantly lower in boys (78.7%) as compared to girls (93.8%). The infection occurred in very young children aged 4-6 years (80.0%) and the percentage of parasite-positive cases appeared to be significantly higher (92.9%) among the children aged 7-9 years. Trichuris trichiura was the most common parasite found in aborigine children (65.8%). Low socioeconomic status, poor environmental sanitation and poor personal hygiene are possible contributing factors that increase the rate of intestinal parasitic infections among the children. Thus, the parasitic diseases will continue to threaten the people's health especially among communities from rural areas if no appropriate actions are taken to diminish the transmission of the parasites.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  7. A survey of infant mortality rates in Sarawak
    Goto S, Sado M, Yano K, Takeuchi M, Ichikawa Y
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1974 Sep;5(3):424-9.
    PMID: 4432100
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  8. Fulltext Fructans in the first 1000 days of life and beyond, and for pregnancy
    Firmansyah A, Chongviriyaphan N, Dillon DH, Khan NC, Morita T, Tontisirin K, et al.
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2016 Dec;25(4):652-675.
    PMID: 27702710 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.092016.02
    Inulin-based prebiotics are non-digestible polysaccharides that influence the composition of the gut microbiota in infants and children, notably eliciting a bifidogenic effect with high short chain fatty acid levels. Inulin, a generic term that comprises β-(2,1)-linked linear fructans, is typically isolated from the chicory plant root, and derivatives such as oligofructose and long chain inulin appear to have different physiological properties. The first 1000 days of a child's life are increasingly recognized as a critical timeframe for health also into adulthood, whereby nutrition plays a key role. There is an ever increasing association between nutrition and gut microbiota composition and development, with life health status of an individual. This review summarizes the latest knowledge in the infant gut microbiota from preterms to healthy newborns, as well as in malnourished children in developing countries. The impact of inulin or mixtures thereof on infants, toddlers and young children with respect to intestinal function and immunity in general, is reviewed. Possible benefits of prebiotics to support the gut microbiome of malnourished infants and children, especially those with infections in the developing world, are considered, as well as for the pregnant mothers health. Importantly, novel insights in metabolic programming are covered, which are being increasing recognized for remarkable impact on long term offspring health, and eventual potential beneficial role of prebiotic inulins. Overall increasing findings prompt the potential for gut microbiota-based therapy to support health or prevent the development of certain diseases from conception to adulthood where inulin prebiotics may play a role.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  9. Fulltext Nutrition and educational achievement of urban primary schoolchildren in Malaysia
    Shariff ZM, Bond JT, Johnson NE
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2000 Dec;9(4):264-73.
    PMID: 24394502
    The relationship between nutrition, health and educational achievement of school-age population in less developed countries has been of interest to many researchers due to the frequent observation that many children did not complete primary school and those who completed, did not do as well as children in the developed countries. Nevertheless, nutritional and health status by itself is not the only variable affecting educational achievement, since biological, psychological, socioeconomic and cultural factors could directly or indirectly affect both nutrition, health status and educational achievement. The mechanism by which health and nutrition influence educational achievement is not well established, but poor health and malnutrition in early childhood may affect cognitive abilities, necessary for learning process and consequently educational achievement. A study was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and educational achievement among primary schoolchildren from low income households (n = 399). A high percentage of them were mild-significantly underweight (52%), stunted (47%) and wasted (36%) and increasingly overweight (6%). In general, more boys than girls were found to experience some form of malnutrition. While weight-for-height did not differ significantly according to family, child and school factors, weight-for-age and height-for-age differed significantly by gender. Also, height-for-age was significantly related to household income. This indicates that stunting may be a consequence of prolonged socioeconomic deprivation. Educational achievement was measured based on test scores for Malay language (ML), English language (EL) and mathematics (MT). While a majority of the schoolchildren obtained optimum scores (>75) for ML and MT, the majority of them had insufficient scores (<50) for EL. Children's total score (TS) for the three subjects was significantly associated with household socioeconomic status, gender, birth order and heightfor- age. Even after controlling for household socioeconomic status, significant association between TS and height-for-age persisted. In this sample of schoolchildren, household income, gender, birth order and height-forage were significant predictors of TS. The finding that height-for-age is related to educational achievement agrees with other studies, which have reported that height-for-age, compared to weight-for-height or weight-forage is linked to educational achievement. Height-for-age reflects the accumulation of nutritional deprivation throughout the years, which may consequently affect the cognitive development of the children.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  10. Hepatic iron status in Malaysians and Singaporeans
    Loh TT, Chang LL
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1980 Mar;11(1):131-6.
    PMID: 7403941
    Non-haemoglobin liver iron was estimated in 275 presumably normal individuals from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore at necropsy. Liver Iron concentrations were highest during the first two years after birth but declined sharply during childhood. They then rose gradually and reached a value of 20 mg/100gm in adult males. Liver iron concentrations of childbearing women remained low and it was only after menopause that values in women rose to those of males. Liver iron stores increased with age to a plateau of about 300 mg in adults, suggesting that this value may represent the adult size for liver iron store. Among the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia and Singapore, Chinese, being in a better socio-eonomic class, had larger liver iron stores. The median liver iron concentrations of Malaysians and Singaporeans, on the whole, were lower than those reported from western populations and as many as 35 per cent of the women were in a subclinical state of iron deficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  11. Prevalence of antibodies including IgM to Toxoplasma gondii in Malaysians
    Thomas V, Sinniah B, Yap PL
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1980 Mar;11(1):119-25.
    PMID: 6996108
    A total of 736 sera collected from cord blood babies, children and adults of both sexes and of different age groups in Malaysia were tested using indirect fluorescent antibody technique for Toxoplasma antibodies. The RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii zoites were used as antigen. One hundred and twenty five sera which were reactive at 1:64 or high titres were tested with IgM specific conjugate. Results of the present studies showed that the prevalence of Toxoplasma antibody was highest among the Malays and lowest among children than among adults. The significance of Toxoplasma specific IgM was discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  12. Burkitt's lymphoma in West Malaysia
    Ramanathan K
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1972 Jun;3(2):249-54.
    PMID: 5082854
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  13. The trend of retinopathy of prematurity in Malaysia from 1992 to 2001 based on a nationwide blind schools study
    Chang KM, Patel DK, Tajunisah I, Subrayan V
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):217-24.
    PMID: 22887807 DOI: 10.1177/1010539512455047
    Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the most important causes of childhood blindness worldwide. The trend of ROP in Malaysia was unclear because there was no national registry before 2002. The purpose of this study is to analyze ROP students of different ages in the schools for the blind in Malaysia in order to evaluate the trend of ROP from 1992 to 2001. Data were obtained from a previous survey of 24 blind schools. It was found that 78 students or 17.4% were blind/severely visual impaired as a result of ROP. There was a significant surge in the number of ROP students who were born in 1994 when the use of synthetic surfactants was first introduced in Malaysia; otherwise there was no increasing trend in the number of students with ROP. However, the percentage of ROP in total was increasing, which indicates that ROP is becoming a more important cause of childhood blindness in this country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  14. General dental practitioners' views on early childhood caries and timing of the first dental visit in Selangor, Malaysia
    Hussein AS, Schroth RJ, Abu-Hassan MI
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP2326-38.
    PMID: 23420056 DOI: 10.1177/1010539513475645
    This survey evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Selangor regarding early childhood caries (ECC) prevention and the recommended timing of a child's first dental visit. A questionnaire was mailed to 521 licensed GDPs. Descriptive statistics were used, and bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed. The response rate was 52.6%. Although 89.8% mentioned counseling parents and caregivers, only 44.2% were familiar with anticipatory guidance. Whereas 98.2% agreed that early examinations are important to prevent ECC, only 51.8% were aware of the recommendation for a first visit by 12 months of age. GDPs who recommended early dental visits were significantly more likely to be recent graduates, more familiar with professional guidelines, and less likely to be deterred by a child's crying or behavior. In conclusion, GDPs in Selangor are aware about the importance of early dental visits in ECC prevention. However, a considerable number of them are still not aware of the recommendation that children must first visit the dentist by 12 months of age. Furthermore, some of their current practices in ECC management and prevention do not match professional recommendations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  15. Unmet Health Care Service Needs of Children With Disabilities in Penang, Malaysia
    Tan SH
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Nov;27(8 Suppl):41S-51S.
    PMID: 26122314 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515592461
    Information on unmet health care needs reveal problems that are related to unavailability and inaccessibility of services. The study objectives were to determine the prevalence, and the reasons for unmet service needs among children with disabilities in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Caregivers of children with disabilities aged 0 to 12 years registered with the Penang Social Welfare Department in 2012 answered a self-administered mailed questionnaire. A total of 305 questionnaires were available for analysis (response rate 37.9%). Services that were very much needed and yet highly unmet were dental services (49.6% needed, 59.9% unmet), dietary advice (30.9% needed, 63.3% unmet), speech therapy (56.9% needed, 56.8% unmet), psychology services (25.5% needed, 63.3% unmet), and communication aids (33.0% needed, 79.2% unmet). Access problems were mainly due to logistic issues and caregivers not knowing where to obtain services. Findings from this study can be used to inform strategies for service delivery and advocacy for children with disabilities in Penang, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  16. Child care services in Malaysia: an overview
    Yusof K, Wong YL, Ooi GL, Hamid-Don P
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1987;1(3):11-6.
    PMID: 3452401
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  17. Intestinal parasitism among Penan children of the Upper Baram, Sarawak
    Kan SP, Yap SB, Yap PL
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1987;1(1):38-41.
    PMID: 3452378
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  18. Nutritional problems of Malaysian children and approaches taken to overcome them
    Arokiasamy JT
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1990;4(1):65-71.
    PMID: 2223281
    Nutritional status of children is an important factor in child survival, especially in developing countries. It is therefore important that nutritional problems are addressed and overcome. This paper reviews the many studies conducted in Malaysia on nutritional problems among children. It also documents the approaches, including intersectoral approaches, that have been taken to overcome these problems. Possible actions that have to be taken in the future to further improve the nutritional status of Malaysian children are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  19. The nutritional status of children in an urban squatter community in Malaysia
    Yap SB, Teoh ST
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1989;3(4):297-300.
    PMID: 2517875
    An anthropometric assessment was conducted on a sample of 309 children, aged twelve years and below, from an urban squatter community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The community consists mainly of Malays and Indians and is fairly established with a mean length of residence of about fifteen years. There was not much difference between the two ethnic groups with regard to educational status or income. Most of the residents were unskilled or semiskilled workers employed in factories and government agencies. About 40 percent of the infants and toddlers were found to be wasted, while about one-third of the older children were stunted. There appears to be some association between income per capita and nutritional status.
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
  20. Nutrition promotion: the role of monitoring physical growth
    Zulkifli SN
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 1992;6(4):210-6.
    PMID: 1345448
    Growth monitoring has been included as one of the basic strategies for child survival. In this paper, the rationale for this is reiterated both for individual as well as population nutritional surveillance. Methods for and approaches to growth monitoring are described. In addition, potential problems in implementing growth monitoring projects and interpreting the results are discussed. Despite its lack of sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic tool, its advantages in terms of low cost, simplicity, reliability and social acceptability justify its use in nutritional surveillance, particularly in populations at risk of malnutrition.
    Publication year: 1992-1993
    Matched MeSH terms: Child, Preschool
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links