Displaying all 11 publications

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  1. Tang SF, Lum L
    J Pediatr Intensive Care, 2017 Mar;6(1):6-11.
    PMID: 31073420 DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1584672
    The Southeast Asia region comprises 10 independent countries with highly divergent health systems and health status. The heterogeneity in infant and child mortality rates suggests that there is still scope for improvement in the care of critically ill children. There is, however, a paucity of published data on outcomes and processes of care that could affect planning and implementation of intervention programs. Significant challenges in the delivery of care for the critically ill child remain, especially in pre-hospital and in-hospital triaging and emergency care and inpatient hospital care. Potential areas for continued improvement include strengthening of health systems through sustained commitment by local governments, capacity building, and sharing of research output. Simple, low cost, locally available, and effective solutions should be sought. The introduction of standards and auditing tools can assist in determining effectiveness and outcomes of intervention packages that are adapted to local settings. Recognition and acknowledgment of shortfalls between expectations and outcomes is a first step to overcoming some of these obstacles necessary to achieve a seamless interface among pre-hospital, emergency, inpatient, and critical care delivery processes that would improve survival of critically ill children in this region.
  2. Rasid, Ajlaa A., Tang, Swee Fong, Izandis Mohamad Sayed, Mohd Shazuan Irwan Mohd Shuhaimi, Norazlina Mohd Noh, Sameeha Mohd Jamil, et al.
    Malays J Nutr, 2019;25(4):405-411.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: The refeeding programme in government hospitals is aimed at
    improving the nutritional status of malnourished children with weight-for-height
    z-score (WHZ) below -2.0, using special therapeutic food. However, there is a lack of
    data on the nutritional status of indigenous (Orang Asli) children when they return
    to the community after hospital discharge. Case presentation: A 3-year-old Temiar
    boy residing in a tribal village in Hulu Perak was visited to determine his nutritional
    status following discharge from a refeeding programme in a government hospital.
    He was admitted to the hospital with a weight of 10.0 kg, height of 85.5 cm and
    WHZ of -2.09. The boy was later discharged weighing 11.0 kg, and with height
    unchanged at 85.5 cm and WHZ of -0.87. During our visit to the child’s home
    three months after discharge, his weight was 9.5 kg, height 86.0 cm, and WHZ
    –2.91. Discussion: The management of the case in the hospital was based on
    the Malnourished Orang Asli Protocols of the hospital. Household food insecurity,
    feeding and care practices, unhealthy household environment and the lack of
    communication between hospital and community health services were all identified
    as risk factors for malnutrition. Conclusion: The recurrence of malnutrition in this
    child, after successful improvement during hospital stay, highlights the importance
    of identifying factors that may affect nutritional status after hospital discharge. This
    knowledge will be beneficial in planning specific interventions, especially for Orang
    Asli children, living in remote villages.
  3. Brands B, Chomtho S, Suthutvoravut U, Chiong Meng Boey C, Tang SF, Godfrey KM, et al.
    Nutrients, 2020 Jun 18;12(6).
    PMID: 32570814 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061817
    BACKGROUND: The double burden of both under- and overnutrition during the first 1000 days is highly prevalent in Southeast Asia (SEA), with major implications for lifelong health. Tackling this burden requires healthcare professionals (HCPs) to acquire evidence-based current knowledge and counselling skills. We assessed the needs of HCPs in SEA and developed a continuing medical education/professional development (CME/CPD) program using an e-learning platform to reduce existing gaps.

    METHODS: European, Thai and Malaysian universities collaborated with SEA national nutrition associations in the Early Nutrition eAcademy Southeast Asia (ENeA SEA) project. We assessed HCPs' needs using questionnaires and mapped CME/CPD programmes and regulations through stakeholder questionnaires. Using a co-creation approach, we established an e-learning platform. Evaluation in users was undertaken using questionnaires.

    RESULTS: HCPs in SEA reported major training gaps relating to the first 1000 days of nutrition and limited impact of existing face-to-face training. Existing pre/postgraduate, residency and CME/CPD programmes did not adequately address the topic. To address these gaps, we produced a targeted e-learning platform with six modules and CME-tests. National ministries, Thai and Malaysian universities, and professional associations endorsed the training platform. To date, over 2600 HCPs have registered. Evaluation shows high acceptance and a very positive assessment.

    CONCLUSIONS: Dedicated e-learning can reduce major gaps in HCP training in SEA regarding nutrition during the first 1000 days of life at scale and is highly valued by both users and key stakeholders.

  4. Abdul Aziz DA, Abdul Rahman NA, Tang SF, Abdul Latif H, Zaki FM, Annuar ZM, et al.
    BMJ Case Rep, 2011;2011.
    PMID: 22674944 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.09.2011.4734
    Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in children is more extensive and is a rare cause of spontaneous secondary pneumothorax (SSP) which tends to be recurrent and refractory to conventional treatment. Its occurrence in paediatric patients posed great challenge to the choice of surgical management. Surgery in the form of pleurodesis is only considered if SSP does not improve after chemotherapy and after considering all relevant risk and benefits of surgery to patients. Chemical pleurodesis will not give the expected effect to eradicate SSP in this patient. Therefore mechanical pleurodesis is the treatment of choice. There are various techniques to perform mechanical pleurodesis; from pleural abrasion to pleurectomy. In the authors' experience, bilateral total pleurectomy provided the best outcome for this 9-year-old patient with persistent respiratory distress from SSP due to extensive pulmonary LCH.
  5. Hon KL, Tan YW, Leung KKY, Hui WF, Tang SF, Qian SY, et al.
    Curr Pediatr Rev, 2023 Jul 18.
    PMID: 37461365 DOI: 10.2174/1573396320666230718100609
  6. Alcamo AM, Weiss SL, Fitzgerald JC, Kirschen MP, Loftis LL, Tang SF, et al.
    Pediatr Crit Care Med, 2022 Aug 01;23(8):593-605.
    PMID: 36165937 DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002979
    OBJECTIVES: To compare outcomes associated with timing-early versus late-of any neurologic dysfunction during pediatric sepsis.

    DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional point prevalence study.

    SETTING: A total of 128 PICUs in 26 countries.

    PATIENTS: Less than 18 years with severe sepsis on 5 separate days (2013-2014).

    INTERVENTIONS: None.

    MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were categorized as having either no neurologic dysfunction or neurologic dysfunction (i.e., present at or after sepsis recognition), which was defined as Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 5 and/or fixed dilated pupils. Our primary outcome was death or new moderate disability (i.e., Pediatric Overall [or Cerebral] Performance Category score ≥3 and change ≥1 from baseline) at hospital discharge, and 87 of 567 severe sepsis patients (15%) had neurologic dysfunction within 7 days of sepsis recognition (61 at sepsis recognition and 26 after sepsis recognition). Primary site of infection varied based on presence of neurologic dysfunction. Death or new moderate disability occurred in 161 of 480 (34%) without neurologic dysfunction, 45 of 61 (74%) with neurologic dysfunction at sepsis recognition, and 21 of 26 (81%) with neurologic dysfunction after sepsis recognition (p < 0.001 across all groups). On multivariable analysis, in comparison with those without neurologic dysfunction, neurologic dysfunction whether at sepsis recognition or after was associated with increased odds of death or new moderate disability (adjusted odds ratio, 4.9 [95% CI, 2.3-10.1] and 10.7 [95% CI, 3.8-30.5], respectively). We failed to identify a difference between these adjusted odds ratios of death or new moderate disability that would indicate a differential risk of outcome based on timing of neurologic dysfunction (p = 0.20).

    CONCLUSIONS: In this severe sepsis international cohort, the presence of neurologic dysfunction during sepsis is associated with worse outcomes at hospital discharge. The impact of early versus late onset of neurologic dysfunction in sepsis on outcome remains unknown, and further work is needed to better understand timing of neurologic dysfunction onset in pediatric sepsis.

  7. Wong JJM, Abbas Q, Chuah SL, Malisie RF, Pon KM, Katsuta T, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2021 Jun 15;105(2):413-420.
    PMID: 34129517 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0299
    There is a scarcity of data regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in children from southeast and south Asia. This study aims to identify risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease among children in the region. This is an observational study of children with COVID-19 infection in hospitals contributing data to the Pediatric Acute and Critical Care COVID-19 Registry of Asia. Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were included in this registry. The primary outcome was severity of COVID-19 infection as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) (mild, moderate, severe, or critical). Epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features, and outcomes of children with COVID-19 are described. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors for severe/critical disease. A total of 260 COVID-19 cases from eight hospitals across seven countries (China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Pakistan) were included. The common clinical manifestations were similar across countries: fever (64%), cough (39%), and coryza (23%). Approximately 40% of children were asymptomatic, and overall mortality was 2.3%, with all deaths reported from India and Pakistan. Using the multivariable model, the infant age group, presence of comorbidities, and cough on presentation were associated with severe/critical COVID-19. This epidemiological study of pediatric COVID-19 infection demonstrated similar clinical presentations of COVID-19 in children across Asia. Risk factors for severe disease in children were age younger than 12 months, presence of comorbidities, and cough at presentation. Further studies are needed to determine whether differences in mortality are the result of genetic factors, cultural practices, or environmental exposures.
  8. Poh BK, Wong JE, Lee ST, Chia JSM, Yeo GS, Sharif R, et al.
    Public Health Nutr, 2023 Nov 07.
    PMID: 37932916 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980023002239
    OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to report South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS) II Malaysia data on nutritional status, dietary intake, and nutritional biomarkers of children aged 6 months to 12 years.

    DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey conducted in 2019-2020.

    SETTING: Multistage cluster sampling conducted in Central, Northern, Southern, and East Coast regions of Peninsular Malaysia.

    PARTICIPANTS: 2989 children aged 0.5-12.9 years.

    RESULTS: Prevalences of stunting, thinness, overweight, and obesity among children aged 0.5-12.9 years were 8.9%, 6.7%, 9.2%, and 8.8%, respectively. Among children below 5 years old, 11.4% were underweight, 13.8% had stunting, and 6.2% wasting. Data on nutritional biomarkers showed a small proportion of children aged 4-12 years had iron (2.9%) and vitamin A deficiencies (3.1%). Prevalence of anaemia was distinctly different between children below 4 years old (40.3%) and those aged 4 years and above (3.0%). One-fourth of children (25.1%) had vitamin D insufficiency, which was twice as prevalent in girls (35.2% vs. boys: 15.6%). The majority of children did not meet the recommended dietary intake for calcium (79.4%) and vitamin D (94.8%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Data from SEANUTS II Malaysia confirmed that triple burden of malnutrition co-exists among children in Peninsular Malaysia, with higher prevalence of overnutrition than undernutrition. Anaemia is highly prevalent among children below 4 years old, while vitamin D insufficiency is more prevalent among girls. Low intakes of dietary calcium and vitamin D are also of concern. These findings provide policymakers with useful and evidence-based data to formulate strategies that address the nutritional issues of Malaysian children.

  9. Rosenthal VD, Yin R, Rodrigues C, Myatra SN, Divatia JV, Biswas SK, et al.
    Am J Infect Control, 2023 Jul;51(7):751-757.
    PMID: 36400318 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.11.005
    BACKGROUND: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) rates in Asia are several times above those of US. The objective of this study is to identify VAP risk factors.

    METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study, between March 27, 2004 and November 2, 2022, in 279 ICUs of 95 hospitals in 44 cities in 9 Asian countries (China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam).

    RESULTS: 153,717 patients, followed during 892,996 patient-days, acquired 3,369 VAPs. We analyzed 10 independent variables. Using multiple logistic regression we identified following independent VAP RFs= Age, rising VAP risk 1% per year (aOR=1.01; 95%CI=1.00-1.01, P

  10. Rosenthal VD, Jin Z, Rodrigues C, Myatra SN, Divatia JV, Biswas SK, et al.
    Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, 2023 Aug;44(8):1261-1266.
    PMID: 36278508 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2022.245
    OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for mortality in intensive care units (ICUs) in Asia.

    DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

    SETTING: The study included 317 ICUs of 96 hospitals in 44 cities in 9 countries of Asia: China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

    PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged >18 years admitted to ICUs.

    RESULTS: In total, 157,667 patients were followed during 957,517 patient days, and 8,157 HAIs occurred. In multiple logistic regression, the following variables were associated with an increased mortality risk: central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI; aOR, 2.36; P < .0001), ventilator-associated event (VAE; aOR, 1.51; P < .0001), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI; aOR, 1.04; P < .0001), and female sex (aOR, 1.06; P < .0001). Older age increased mortality risk by 1% per year (aOR, 1.01; P < .0001). Length of stay (LOS) increased mortality risk by 1% per bed day (aOR, 1.01; P < .0001). Central-line days increased mortality risk by 2% per central-line day (aOR, 1.02; P < .0001). Urinary catheter days increased mortality risk by 4% per urinary catheter day (aOR, 1.04; P < .0001). The highest mortality risks were associated with mechanical ventilation utilization ratio (aOR, 12.48; P < .0001), upper middle-income country (aOR, 1.09; P = .033), surgical hospitalization (aOR, 2.17; P < .0001), pediatric oncology ICU (aOR, 9.90; P < .0001), and adult oncology ICU (aOR, 4.52; P < .0001). Patients at university hospitals had the lowest mortality risk (aOR, 0.61; P < .0001).

    CONCLUSIONS: Some variables associated with an increased mortality risk are unlikely to change, such as age, sex, national economy, hospitalization type, and ICU type. Some other variables can be modified, such as LOS, central-line use, urinary catheter use, and mechanical ventilation as well as and acquisition of CLABSI, VAE, or CAUTI. To reduce mortality risk, we shall focus on strategies to reduce LOS; strategies to reduce central-line, urinary catheter, and mechanical ventilation use; and HAI prevention recommendations.

  11. Rosenthal VD, Yin R, Myatra SN, Divatia JV, Biswas SK, Shrivastava AM, et al.
    J Vasc Access, 2024 Mar 27.
    PMID: 38539085 DOI: 10.1177/11297298241242163
    BACKGROUND: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in intensive care units (ICUs) across Latin America exceed those in high-income countries significantly.

    METHODS: We implemented the INICC multidimensional approach, incorporating an 11-component bundle, in 122 ICUs spanning nine Asian countries. We computed the CLABSI rate using the CDC/NSHN definition and criteria. The CLABSI rate per 1000 CL-days was calculated at baseline and throughout different phases of the intervention, including the 2nd month, 3rd month, 4-16 month, and 17-29 month periods. A two-sample t-test was employed to compare baseline CLABSI rates with intervention rates. Additionally, we utilized a generalized linear mixed model with a Poisson distribution to analyze the association between exposure and outcome.

    RESULTS: A total of 124,946 patients were hospitalized over 717,270 patient-days, with 238,595 central line (CL)-days recorded. The rates of CLABSI per 1000 CL-days significantly decreased from 16.64 during the baseline period to 6.51 in the 2nd month (RR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.36-0.42; p 

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