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Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Dengue in children: why early detection is crucial
Diagnosing dengue in children can be challenging as its symptoms often overlap with those of other viral infections. (File pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Dengue remains a significant public health concern in Malaysia, with cases widespread across all regions. Among those most at risk are children, who are particularly vulnerable to severe dengue, which can cause bleeding. Without prompt treatment, young patients can deteriorate rapidly and face life-threatening complications. Consultant paediatrician Dr Gan Chin Seng, however, points out that diagnosing dengue in children can be challenging as its symptoms often overlap with those of other viral infections. 'Common symptoms such as fever, headache and vomiting are not unique to dengue, making it difficult for healthcare providers to pinpoint the virus without a high level of suspicion,' he told Bernama. He said dengue should always be considered if a child has a persistent fever with no clear cause, particularly in locations where cases have already been established. 'Blood tests are essential in confirming a diagnosis, with various tests available to detect the virus early. Still, the challenge with dengue in children is that it can progress rapidly. 'While the fever may subside, this can be misleading as it could signal the start of the dangerous plasma-leakage phase, which can cause a drop in blood pressure and inadequate blood supply to vital organs. This leads to shock and potentially multiorgan failure,' he cautioned. Warning signs in children who may be at higher risk of severe dengue include abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fluid accumulation in the lungs or abdomen, gum bleeding, lethargy, liver enlargement, and rapidly dropping platelet counts. 'They may present with shock, severe bleeding, or excessive fluid accumulation, causing breathing difficulty. By identifying these signs, it will help doctors with decision-making and treatment,' Gan said. Areas with stagnant water serve as breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, which spreads the virus. (Pixabay pic) He also noted that severe dengue can affect the brain, leading to encephalitis (when the brain becomes inflamed); the heart, leading to myocarditis (when the heart becomes inflamed); and the liver, leading to hepatitis (when the liver becomes inflamed and congested). Gan pointed out that multiple factors contribute to the risk of severe dengue, which can be categorised into patient-related and environmental. 'Patient-related risk factors include obesity, being five years old and above, a previous history of dengue infection, and pre-existing health conditions. 'Environment plays a significant role in dengue transmission: areas with stagnant water serve as breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, which spreads the virus. Living in such areas or having neighbours with dengue cases heightens the risk. Community efforts are also crucial in eliminating mosquito breeding sites,' he added. Early diagnosis and intervention, he stressed, are critical in managing severe dengue. 'Fluid management is key to preventing kidney damage and other complications. If a child cannot drink fluids due to vomiting, they need to be hospitalised for intravenous hydration. 'After the fever subsides, continuous close monitoring is essential, as this period can be deceptively calm before more serious complications arise.' He noted that the appearance of a rash during the recovery phase is a positive sign, as it indicates the child is improving. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children receive the dengue vaccine, which has been shown to reduce severity of the disease by up to 90%. (Freepik pic) Finally, Gan emphasises that family and public education play a crucial role in preventing severe dengue. 'Recognising the symptoms early, understanding when to seek medical help, and ensuring proper fluid intake are key messages that need to be conveyed to the public. 'Moreover, the introduction of the dengue vaccine has been a significant step forward in prevention. The vaccine, which has been shown to reduce the severity of dengue by up to 90%, is available for children aged four and above.' Despite the availability of the vaccine, uptake in Malaysia has been relatively slow compared with neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. 'Public health campaigns are, therefore, necessary to encourage parents to vaccinate their children, as this provides a vital layer of protection against severe dengue,' he concluded.
South China Morning Post
27-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
9-month-old girl dies after being found trapped in gap between cot, bed
A nine-month-old girl has died after being found unconscious and trapped in the gap between a cot and a bed. Police said they received a report at around 7am on Tuesday that the baby was found unconscious at a flat in Fortress Hill. She was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8.03am. The force added that the mother, 32, left the baby on the bed after feeding her on Monday night. She then found the unconscious girl in the gap the next morning. Dr Mike Kwan, a paediatrician, said: 'The safest place for your baby to sleep is in their cot in the same room as you.' He added that newborns were not equipped with the ability to show signs of struggle. Kwan advised parents to monitor their babies throughout the night, especially newborns, as they would start to move and roll. He also said that parents should put babies in beds with fences.
BreakingNews.ie
07-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Baby had bruising and a fractured collar bone when brought to Cork hospital, trial hears
A paediatrician has told the trial of a man charged with seriously assaulting his five month old daughter that when the child was admitted to hospital doctors found she had suffered bruising to her face, chest, abdomen and right buttock, a fractured collar bone, blood on the surface of the brain and tearing of its connective fibres. The 31-year-old accused is on trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to three charges. Advertisement The man, who can't be named to protect the identity of the child, previously entered a not guilty plea to a charge of causing serious harm to his five-month-old daughter on January 4th, 2021. He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to his daughter on dates between November 25th and December 15th 2020, and with wilfully assaulting or ill-treating the child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering to the child's health or seriously affect the child's wellbeing. Dr Rosina McGovern, who is a consultant paediatrician at Cork University Hospital, said that when the child was brought to hospital on the evening of January 4th 2021 she was 'lethargic' and 'drowsy.' Her parents told medical staff that their young daughter had been vomiting and wasn't tolerating fluids. It was noted that she 'poor head control' and was 'very quiet.' In addition to bruising an X-ray indicated that the baby had sustained a fractured collarbone, which was 'healing.' Advertisement The child had bleeding in the eyes. She said an MRI showed that the young girl had blood on the surface of her brain and tearing of the fibres of the brain. She said that the parents didn't give an explanation for the injuries the child had sustained. Dr McGovern said the child had a subdural haemorrhage which is associated with 'abusive head trauma.' She told Judge Dermot Sheehan and the jury that children under the age of six months rarely suffer from bruising arising out of their lack of mobility. The child was found to have 'no underlying medical condition' to explain her injuries. Advertisement Dr McGovern stated that the fracture of the collarbone on such a young child was also 'unusual' given her young age. Blood was found on the spine of the child from the top of the neck to the lower back. She said that the child spent from January 4th to January 18th, 2021, in the hospital. The court heard that on January 5th, 2021, the child was found to have a score of nine out of fifteen on the Glasgow Coma Scale. The scale is used to objectively describe the extent of impaired consciousness in all types of acute medical and trauma patients. Under cross-examination by defence barrister Ray Boland, SC, Dr Govern said that a score of nine means that a patient is 'quite impaired in terms of a brain injury. She told the jury that a score of less than 8 generally involves the placing of a patient in intensive care. Dr McGovern said that it was her belief that the child had sustained 'serious harm.' Prosecution barrister Jane Hyland SC said that in Irish law serious harm is defined as an injury that creates a substantial risk of death, or causes serious disfigurement or substantial loss or impairment of mobility of the body or function of a bodily member or organ. Advertisement Meanwhile, the jury also heard evidence from crèche workers who said that they noticed that the child had bruising on her cheek and forehead. One crèche worker said that she rang her manager and, on her advice,e she documented what she had spotted and took photographs of the injuries. Ireland Trial hears woman faked her own death as she could... Read More She said that she noticed the bruising on the 15th of December 2020 when the child was dropped off wearing a festive elf outfit. She stated that she felt the bruising was 'unusual' in such a young child. She gave evidence that when she raised the matter with the mother of the child, she said that it was 'nothing.' No explanation was furnished for the bruising with the crèche worker saying that the mother 'brushed it off.' Another worker present that day said that they noticed a bruise on both the left and right cheek of the child. She said that there was no accident or incident in the crèche involving the child, as it would have been documented. The case will continue on Thursday in front of a jury of seven women and five men.
