Materia Medica Malaysiana

Improved survival rate now

Advances in neo-natal technology and care in Malaysia over the past 10 years have improved the survival rate of babies underweight at birth, a consultant pediatrician said today.
Dr Hans Luc Aster Van Rostenberghe, who is attached to Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital’s Paediatrics Department in Kubang Kerian, said more than 60 per cent of premature babies now survive the first two years after birth.
Some 10 years ago in Malaysia, he said, the survival rate for low birth-weight babies (less than 1kg at birth) was just above 10 per cent. (The normal weight of a baby at birth is from 2.5 kg to 3.8kg.)
"We have seen major advances in neo-natal technology and care in the country since then," he said. "This has contributed to the decline in infant mortality.
"Despite this, it is not easy for any neo-natal team to ensure the well-being of the babies under their care as strict monitoring is still crucial."
This was because initiating and maintaining growth of such babies is a continuing challenge, especially where proper nutrition is concerned.
Speaking to the New Straits Times at a gathering of more than 20 premature babies that were once under the care of HUSM’s neo-natal unit, he said an average of 10 to 20 premature babies were delivered in HUSM a year. Most of their parents were from Kelantan and Terengganu.