Characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 in Klang Valley, Malaysia: a retrospective observational study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of neonates born to mothers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), along with the incidence and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) positivity in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Methods: The clinical records of all neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 who were admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Data collected included demographic details and the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of neonates with SARS-CoV-2 positivity.

The association of maternal gestational hyperglycemia with breastfeeding duration and markers of milk production.

Background: Previous studies focusing on the association between gestational diabetes and breastfeeding duration have been inconclusive.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether maternal gestational hyperglycemia is associated with the duration of breastfeeding and the concentrations of markers linked to breastmilk production.

Methods: Data from the prospective, multiethnic Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes study were used to assess the association of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h postglucose challenge (2hPG) measured at 26-28 wk of gestation with duration of breastfeeding and concentrations of protein, lactose, citrate, sodium, potassium, and zinc in breastmilk 3 wk postpartum.

Breastfeeding Duration and Development of Dysglycemia in Women Who Had Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Evidence from the GUSTO Cohort Study.

(1) Background: Breastfeeding has been shown to support glucose homeostasis in women after a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and is potentially effective at reducing long-term diabetes risk. (2) Methods: Data from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study were analyzed to understand the influence of breastfeeding duration on long-term dysglycemia (prediabetes and diabetes) risk in women who had GDM in the index pregnancy. GDM and dysglycemia four to seven years postpartum were determined by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Cohort profile: Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes (S-PRESTO).

The Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes (S-PRESTO) is a preconception, longitudinal cohort study that aims to study the effects of nutrition, lifestyle, and maternal mood prior to and during pregnancy on the epigenome of the offspring and clinically important outcomes including duration of gestation, fetal growth, metabolic and neural phenotypes in the offspring. Between February 2015 and October 2017, the S-PRESTO study recruited 1039 Chinese, Malay or Indian (or any combinations thereof) women aged 18-45 years and who intended to get pregnant and deliver in Singapore, resulting in 1032 unique participants and 373 children born in the cohort. The participants were followed up for 3 visits during the preconception phase and censored at 12 months of follow up if pregnancy was not achieved (N = 557 censored).

Evaluation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ 3) as a developmental screener at 9, 18, and 24 months.

Background: Without the use of standardized screening tools, only 30% of the estimated 5-15% of children with developmental delay can be identified, potentially delaying intervention.

Aim: 1)To evaluate the ASQ-3's reliability and validity at 9, 18, and 24 months and to compare the results with normative USA data. 2)To determine the risk factors for a screen positive result, which requires further evaluation.

Is breastfeeding associated with later child eating behaviours?

Individual differences in children's eating behaviours emerge early. We examined the relationship between breastfeeding exposure and subsequent eating behaviours among children from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. Children (n = 970) were grouped according to their breastfeeding exposure: high (full breastfeeding ≥ 4 months with continued breastfeeding ≥ 6 months), low (any breastfeeding < 3 months or no breastfeeding) and intermediate (between low and high breastfeeding categories).

Hearing screening outcome in neonatal intensive care unit graduates from a tertiary care centre in Singapore.

Background: We aimed to analyse the outcome of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) and high-risk hearing screening in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates in a tertiary care unit.

Methods: The hearing screen programme comprises a 2-stage automated auditory brainstem response protocol followed by a high-risk hearing screen at 3-6 months. This study is a retrospective study of NICU graduates born between April 2002 and December 2009.

Direct vs. Expressed Breast Milk Feeding: Relation to Duration of Breastfeeding.

Background: Studies examining direct vs. expressed breast milk feeding are scarce. We explored the predictors of mode of breastfeeding and its association with breastfeeding duration in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

A Comparison of Practices During the Confinement Period among Chinese, Malay, and Indian Mothers in Singapore.

Background: Confinement (restrictions placed on diet and practices during the month right after delivery) represents a key feature of Asian populations. Few studies, however, have focused specifically on ethnic differences in confinement practices. This study assesses the confinement practices of three ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic Asian population.

Determinants of Breastfeeding Practices and Success in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population.

Background: Many countries in Asia report low breastfeeding rates and the risk factors for early weaning are not well studied. We assessed the prevalence, duration, and mode of breastfeeding (direct or expressed) among mothers of three Asian ethnic groups.

Methods: Participants were 1,030 Singaporean women recruited during early pregnancy.

Hearing Loss in Newborns with Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

Introduction: This study aims to review the results of hearing screens in newborns with cleft deformities.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective audit of 123 newborns with cleft deformities, born between 1 April 2002 and 1 December 2008, was conducted. Data on the results of universal newborn hearing screens (UNHS) and high-risk hearing screens, age at diagnosis, severity/type of hearing loss and mode of intervention were obtained from a prospectively maintained hearing database.

Borderline viability--neonatal outcomes of infants in Singapore over a period of 18 years (1990 - 2007).

Introduction: This study assesses the trends and predictors of mortality and morbidity in infants of gestational age (GA) <27 weeks from 1990 to 2007.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study of infant deliveries between 1990 and 2007 in the largest perinatal centre in Singapore. This is a study of infants born at <27 weeks in 2 Epochs (Epoch 1 (E1):1990 to 1998, Epoch 2 (E2):1999 to 2007) using logistic regression models to identify factors associated with mortality and composite morbidity.

Improvement of drug safety by the use of lipid-based nanocarriers.

Drug toxicity is an important factor that contributes significantly to adverse drug events in current healthcare practice. Application of lipid-based nanocarriers in drug formulation is one approach to improve drug safety. Lipid-based delivery systems include micelles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and nanosuspensions.

High prevalence of hearing loss in Down syndrome at first year of life.

Introduction: Infants with Down syndrome (DS) are at higher risk of hearing loss (HL). Normal hearing at one year of age plays an important part in language development. An audit was conducted to determine the impact of the newborn hearing screening program on the incidence, type and timing of diagnosis of HL during first year of life.

Handling request for non-disclosure of clinical information in paediatrics.

Non-disclosure in Paediatric Practice is a controversial issue. There was a time when the care of children was solely the responsibility of parents and any decision with respect to treatment or non-treatment would have been the joint responsibility of the parents and of the attending medical professionals. This practice, viewed as adopting a more paternalistic approach, has been challenged in many parts of the world.

Micellar nanomedicine of human neuropeptide Y.

Unlabelled: Human neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important biologics that regulates a multitude of physiological functions and could be amenable to therapeutic manipulations in certain disease states. However, rapid (within minutes) enzymatic degradation and inactivation of NPY precludes its development as a drug. Accordingly, we determined whether self-association of NPY with biocompatible and biodegradable sterically stabilized phospholipid micelles (SSM) improves its stability and bioactivity.

A novel peptide nanomedicine against acute lung injury: GLP-1 in phospholipid micelles.

Purpose: Treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) observed in Gram-negative sepsis represents an unmet medical need due to a high mortality rate and lack of effective treatment. Accordingly, we developed and characterized a novel nanomedicine against ALI. We showed that when human glucagon-like peptide 1(7-36) (GLP-1) self-associated with PEGylated phospholipid micelles (SSM), the resulting GLP1-SSM (hydrodynamic size, ~15 nm) exerted effective anti-inflammatory protection against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in mice.

Establishing a universal newborn hearing screening programme.

As congenital hearing impairment has a worldwide incidence of 4 to 5 per 1000 babies and is thus one of the most common congenital problems seen today, universal newborn screening has a crucial role to play in its early detection and intervention. It provides the opportunity for better outcomes and normal language development. Prior to embarking on a screening programme, the newborn population and the current health care system should be analysed to select the best method of coverage.

Freeze drying of peptide drugs self-associated with long-circulating, biocompatible and biodegradable sterically stabilized phospholipid nanomicelles.

The purpose of this study was to determine optimal lipid concentration range for lyophilization of sterically stabilized phospholipid nanomicelles (SSM) and the freeze drying feasibility of self-associated therapeutic peptide-SSM assemblies. SSM at 5-20 mM 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol 2000) (DSPE-PEG(2000)) were analyzed for particle size and viscosity before and after freeze drying which showed no significant changes (p>0.05).

The effect of the phytoestrogens genistein, daidzein, and equol on the growth of tamoxifen-resistant T47D/PKC alpha.

Soy supplements are often consumed by women for alleviating menopausal symptoms or for the perceived protective effects against breast cancer. More concerning is the concurrent consumption of soy isoflavones with tamoxifen (TAM) for prevention or treatment of breast cancer. We previously described a T47D:A18/protein kinase C (PKC)alpha TAM-resistant tumor model that exhibits autonomous growth and estradiol-induced tumor regression.

Auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony detected by universal newborn hearing screening.

The implementation of neonatal hearing screening has enabled early detection and intervention in hearing loss. The use of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brainstem response testing in universal screening has led to the recognition of this recently described disorder called auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony (AN/AD). This diagnosis indicates that the infant has significant hearing loss despite having normal outer hair cells in the cochlea.

Two-year neurodevelopmental outcome in children conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection: prospective cohort study.

Objective: Primary outcome was to compare neurodevelopmental outcome at two years in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) conceived children versus matched controls. Secondary outcome was to determine incidence of major congenital malformations and study perinatal outcome.

Design: Prospective cohort study.