Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder that significantly affects adolescent girls, particularly those with overweight or obesity. However, data examining the determinants and metabolic profiles of PCOS among adolescents with overweight and obesity remain limited, especially in Malaysia. This protocol describes a case-control study investigating the cardiometabolic, dietary, and psychosocial determinants of PCOS among adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methodology: This study is designed as a case-control study involving adolescent girls aged 13–16 years with a body mass index z-score >+1 standard deviation. Cases are defined as adolescent girls with a confirmed diagnosis of PCOS based on the recommendations of the 2017 International Consortium of Paediatric Endocrinology (ICPE), while controls are those who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PCOS. A total sample size of 440 participants is required. Participants will be recruited from 22 secondary schools selected from a list of schools in Kuala Lumpur. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial health, physical activity, and dietary intake will be collected using structured questionnaires. Blood samples will be obtained and analyzed for diagnostic testing (free testosterone), exclusion tests (thyroid-stimulating hormone, folliclestimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, prolactin, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), and biochemical parameters (liver function tests, lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and inflammatory markers). Results: The study is expected to generate comprehensive data on the cardiometabolic, dietary, and psychosocial determinants of PCOS among adolescents with overweight and obesity. The findings will inform early screening strategies and targeted interventions aimed at reducing long-term reproductive and cardiometabolic complications. Conclusion This protocol outlines a structured approach to investigating PCOS in adolescence and addresses current gaps in early identification and risk stratification among highrisk populations.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Case-Control Studies ; Overweight ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Obesity

Aims: Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) is usually associated with maternal vaginal colonization of Group B Streptococci (GBS). However, there are reports on isolation of Acinetobacter baumannii in PPROM cases. In order to ascertain A. baumannii’s role in PPROM, we determine the colonization of A. baumannii and other common vaginal tract flora, i.e. GBS and Candida albicans, in women with PPROM, and compared them to those with normal labor at term (NLT). The transmissibility of the organisms to their babies was also investigated. Methodology and results: A total of 218 high vaginal swabs from 108 and 100 women with PPROM and NLT respectively were collected. The transmission of these organisms to their 215 babies was determined by swabbing the ears and axillae. These were cultured for isolation of A. baumannii, GBS and C. albicans. Results showed that mothers with PPROM were predominantly colonized with GBS (32.4%), followed by C. albicans (19.4%) and A. baumannii (7.4%), compared to 10.9%, 17.3% and 7.2% respectively, in women with NLT. Between 34 to 50% of the babies of mothers with PPROM acquired the organisms, with GBS being the most significantly (p=0.000) transferred compared to other organisms. Co-existence of A. baumannii with either GBS or C. albicans, or both, did not enhance the occurrence of PPROM. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Colonization of A. baumannii in vaginal tract of pregnant women does not increase the possibility of PPROM, as compared to GBS.

Some anecdotal reports suggest that maternal colonisation with Acinetobacter baumannii during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal effects, including preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM). The objective of this study was to compare the maternal and neonatal effects of A. baumannii colonisation in cases with PPROM and those with spontaneous onset of labour at term.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitisusually affecting children <5 years old. We report a 44-dayold baby who had persistent fever despite being onantibiotics for presumed sepsis. Erythema of BacillusCalmette-Guerin (BCG) scar and thrombocytosis were notedon day-2 of illness. Diagnosis of incomplete KD was madeon the 10th day of illness. Her fever resolved withintravenous immunoglobulin, but echocardiogram revealedcoronary artery aneurysm. High index of suspicion isrequired to diagnose KD in infants ≤3 months since it is rare and commonly presents with incomplete clinical features.The presence of unexplained fever for ≥5 days witherythema of BCG scar or thrombocytosis in infants shouldalert the clinicians of KD.

Introduction: bacteremia continues to be one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality despite the existence of numerous antimicrobial agents. this study aimed to provide a Malaysian perspective on paediatric community-acquired bacteraemia based on the documentation of epidemiology and antimicrobial profile of the isolated pathogens. Method: A retrospective study was conducted by analysing clinical details, blood cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results in children between the ages of 0 to 13 years old, who were admitted to selayang Hospital over an 11-year period from 2001 until 2011. there were 222 bacteraemia cases and the median age was 11.7 months. the highest number (39%) of bacteraemia cases occurred between ages one month to one year. the three most commonly isolated aetiological agents were Staphylococcus aureus (17.1%), nontyphoidal Salmonella (16.2%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (12.6%). Almost 8% of the Staphylococcus aureus isolates were methicillin resistant, while nontyphoidal Salmonella (Nts) isolates demonstrated 18.4%, 10.5% and 2.6% resistance towards ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin respectively. All Nts isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone. Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates showed 17.9% resistance to penicillin. skin and soft tissue infections as well as lower respiratory tract infections (63.2%) were the main foci of infections in Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. Acute gastroenteritis (80.0%) and pneumonia (60.8%) were the main presentations of Nts and Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteraemia respectively. Overall mortality rate was 8.1%. Conclusion: Knowledge on the local epidemiology and antibiotic resistance pattern serves as a significant platform in improving the empiric antibiotic therapy for patients with community acquired bacteraemia.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Bacteremia

SUMMARY Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection affecting children and therefore, prompt recognition and accurate antimicrobial management are vital to prevent kidney damage. This study aims to determine the bacterial pathogens and their patterns of antimicrobial resistance in children presenting with UTI. Methods: A retrospective study of 721 cases, involving children between the ages of 1-day old to 13 years old with culture-proven UTI in Selayang Hospital, Malaysia between January 2007 and December 2011. The bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance patterns in the total population, prophylaxis and no prophylaxis groups were studied. Results: The 3 most common organisms isolated in the total population were E.Coli (41.6%), Klebsiella spp. (21.2%) and Enterococcus spp. (11.0%). With regards to the antibiotic resistance, E.Coli resistance rates to ampicillin, cefuroxime and gentamicin were 67.7%, 15.3% and 7.3% respectively. Ampicillin-resistance was also highest in Klebsiella spp. (84.3%), Enterococcus spp. (15.5%) and Proteus spp. (55.5%). Conclusion: E.coli remains to be the leading bacterial pathogen causing UTI in children, with ampicillin-resistance occurring in more than half of these cases. Therefore, accurate choice of antibiotics is important to ensure optimal outcome. In our study, cefuroxime and gentamicin have lower antibiotic resistance rates and can be used in the treatment of UTI in children.
Urinary Tract Infections