23/09/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | SEPT 23, 2025

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PARENTS are encouraged to enrol their children with special needs, particularly autistic youth, in skills training courses offered by the Youth and Sports Skills Training Institute (ILKBS). Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said this would ensure that these youth are given training and skills opportunities to help them become independent and contribute to society. “We have many young people trained every year and I believe with these free courses, parents should take the opportunity to send their children to ILKBS,” she said after officiating O NE morning, your toddler wakes up unusually quiet – no chattering, no running to the toy box, no smiles. You assume it is just a cold. But by night, something still feels off. That sense of unease, that gut feeling, could be more than parental intuition – it could be the warning sign that saves your child’s life. Sepsis, a condition often misunderstood and dangerously underestimated, has a way of creeping in silently. It can start with something as simple as a fever, tummy ache or cough, and then spiral into full-body inflammation and organ failure within hours. The World Health Organisation reports sepsis affects 49 million people globally each year, causing 11 million deaths, nearly half of which are children, about 2.9 million. What makes this especially tragic is that many of these cases are preventable with early detection and rapid treatment. Between 2015 and 2020, the Malaysian National Neonatal Registry recorded nearly 1,000 cases of early-onset sepsis in newborns, most commonly caused by the Group B Streptococcus. It can start from something small The danger lies not just in how fast sepsis develops, but in how deceptively it begins. Sepsis is not merely an infection. An infection is a trigger that causes an abnormal immune response, which can escalate like a fire igniting a vast forest fire in the body. In Malaysia, we still encounter many chest infections, especially during flu season. What starts as a harmless cough can develop into something life-threatening. The greatest challenge for parents and doctors alike is recognising sepsis in its early stages. Children may not show clear signs that something is wrong. Children cannot talk. They cannot tell you “I’m sick, I’m not well, I need help.” So, in other words, it is silent. It can just be as simple as not being themselves. A child may seem more tired than usual, more withdrawn, or generally “off”, all subtle signs that can be easily dismissed. What to watch for While the symptoms may appear minor, they should never be ignored. If a child becomes unusually sleepy, has trouble waking up, vomits everything they take in, or suddenly looks less alert or energetic, it could be a warning sign. Breathlessness, extreme temperature changes, or being floppy or limp are signs that something is seriously wrong. If the child is completely limp and very cold or very hot, parents should go straight to the hospital. The rule of thumb is, if the child does not improve with medication within three days or if the symptoms persist for three days, then it is time to seek help. General practitioners are trained to look out for sepsis and can escalate care appropriately, but delays in seeking medical attention can be devastating. Time is of the essence in sepsis management. Once it progresses, it progresses very quickly. What you can do The most powerful weapon against sepsis is prevention. This begins at home with hygiene, where regular handwashing, safe food practices and clean environments should be maintained. But vaccination can help play an equally important role. Vaccination creates herd immunity. Vaccinated household members can

Constant vigilance is important in safeguarding your child’s health.

Watch for signs of sepsis, parents urged o Symptoms may appear minor

shaping national skills policies. “Most importantly, ILKBS is committed to being a champion in providing special training opportunities for autistic and special needs youth through the implementation of the Autism and Special Needs Youth Inclusivity Programme at selected ILKBS centres,” she said. A total of 3,240 ILKBS graduates will receive certificates at various levels – advanced diploma, diploma, advanced certificate and certificate – for the session in the Peninsular Malaysia, while 171 will graduate in Sabah on Saturday and 97 in Sarawak on Oct 4. – Bernama the hospital-acquired sepsis will be very hard to treat. Responsible antibiotic use, combined with vaccination and hygiene, helps reduce the risk of infections developing into sepsis. Recovery takes time Even after a child survives sepsis, the journey may not be over. Recovery can take weeks or months, and complications may arise. They can have what we call post-sepsis syndrome, which can affect their physical ability, their cognitive and psychosocial as well. Children may experience muscle weakness, emotional or psychological trauma, or developmental delays. Some may need ongoing check-ups to monitor kidney or other organ functions. Vulnerable groups, including newborns, children with chronic illnesses or those living with obesity, face greater risks. The younger they are, the more at risk they are. Parents know best. If your child seems different, do not brush it off. Seek help. Do not wait for others to say it is serious. In Malaysian culture, “waiting and seeing” is often the default reaction, but with sepsis, hesitation can be deadly. Listen to your gut, it could save your child’s life. This article is contributed by Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City consultant paediatrician and paediatric intensivist Dr Olive Lee Pei Ee.

While the symptoms may appear minor, they should never be ignored.

Minister encourages enrolment of autistic youth in ILKBS courses help create a barrier for the child and offer protection. This means that even if the child is too young or too vulnerable for certain vaccines, they are still protected by those around them. Parents need to be cautious about antibiotic overuse. If they start using antibiotics, antibiotic resistance may develop. In a hospital setting,

juniors to work in their companies... they also return to ILKBS to contribute in various ways,” she said. Earlier in her speech, Yeoh said the employability rate of ILKBS graduates has reached 97%, proving that TVET (technical and vocational education and training) is a viable pathway for the future of Malaysian youth. “In fact, KBS (Youth and Sports Ministry) through ILKBS is not a small player in the country’s TVET landscape. “KBS is among the main drivers of TVET education and is now part of the National TVET Council, ensuring the voice of youth is heard in

the 20th ILKBS Convocation Ceremony in Bangi recently. It is learnt that since the introduction of special courses for autistic youth in 2018, 343 of them have successfully completed their training, with 48 more receiving their certificates recently. Yeoh said ILKBS not only equips youth with skills but has also produced many successful entrepreneurs, with alumni returning to the institute to hire new trainees and contributing their expertise. “Every year, we track them. Many alumni have become entrepreneurs. They have hired