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INTERACTIVE: Malaysia’s growing small baby problem

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The percentage of babies born underweight is going up in Malaysia, with experts describing the trend as worrying. Figures from the Statistics Department show that 12.9% (54,618) of the country’s live births in 2022 were classified as low birth weight (LBW). In 2010 the percentage of LBW newborns stood at 11.2% (54,964) of live births. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines LBW babies as those born with a weight of less than 2,500 grams. According to the WHO, the proportion of infants with a low birth weight is an indicator of a multifaceted public health problem that includes long-term maternal malnutrition, ill-health and poor health care in pregnancy. “Despite Malaysia's status as an upper-middle-income economy, the prevalence of low birth weight indicates that food security remains a substantial challenge for a significant segment of the population especially for pregnant mothers,” said consultant paedi
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Southern part of Johor sees a surge in international students

- The southern part of Johor has seen a significant increase in the number of international school students since 2020. - The data published in My Local Stats by the Department of Statistics Malaysia refers to primary and secondary international schools.  - Johor Bahru recorded the largest increase in international school students in 2022, with a total of 4,311 students compared to 125 students in 2020, an increase of 4,186 students. - Pasir Gudang experienced the second-largest increase in international school students, behind Johor Bahru. - The number of international school students registered in Pasir Gudang was 2,510 students in 2021 and rose to 2,517 in 2022. - Pasir Gudang only started having international schools in 2021. - The number of international schools in Johor Bahru increased to 15 in 2022. - Meanwhile, three districts in Johor saw a decline in international school students. - Batu Pahat's international school students recorded a significa
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Call to action for healthier newborns

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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA: One group of underweight newborns is particularly vulnerable to health problems. Known as Small for Gestational Age (SGA), babies who fall in this category are those who weigh less than the 10th percentile for their gestational age. In other words, SGA babies are smaller than 90% of other babies at the same number of weeks since conception. Some experts estimate that SGA babies make up about one-third of low birth weight (LBW) newborns, defined as those born with a weight of less than 2,500 grams. "SGA babies are particularly vulnerable. They are more prone to complications such as hypothermia, infections, respiratory issues, and metabolic problems shortly after birth,” said consultant paediatrician Datuk Dr Musa Nordin.   Datuk Dr Musa Nordin Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Faculty of Medicine deputy dean Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said SGA births have several underlying causes. “Maternal factors such as poor diet, hypertensive or kidney d
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