Kidz Kare Children's Doctor Tan Wan Ju

02/03/2026

Recently a Singaporean friend raised a concern regarding the Tuberculosis situation in JB, asking whether she should avoid coming until the situation improves.
I wish to say that all newborns in Msia and Sg have been vaccinated with the Bacillus Calmette Gurrain (BCG) at birth. The vaccine contains an altered strain of Mycobacterium Bovis, so that it does not cause infection, but stimulates the immune system to make your baby resistant to the actual Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, which causes TB in humans. After administration of the vaccine a nodule may form on the injection site, which may ulcerate and may even discharge a yellowish pus like fluid. Do not worry. Soon, it will heal and form a scab and a small scar. However, picking at the scab may cause the formation of keloid scars, in susceptible individuals. This scar will be checked later when your child enters primary school. If there is no scar, your child would need to repeat his/her BCG vaccination.
Tuberculosis usually does not cause any symptoms in resistant individuals in a condition known as latent TB. However they may cause disease if the individual becomes immunocompromised, such as when they are taking certain chemo drugs, or if they are very old or very young, and weak.
TB is spread via close contact with infected individuals, usually staying together and sharing household items. Therefore, if a positive case is detected, their family and close contact will be screened for the disease. This involves doing a chest X-ray, a Mantoux (PPD) skin test and sputum culture.
Therefore, to my friends who still wish to come for their weekly shopping, I would say, if you are vaccinated (check for your scar) and healthy, chances of catching TB from a shopping trip is very low. In fact you would more likely to catch other viruses like RSV, HMPV and parainfluenza. Therefore, if you want to stock up on your groceries and essentials, please do practice basic hygiene such as handwashing and wearing a mask in crowded places to prevent catching any viruses.

Malaysians have been urged to stay vigilant. https://says.com/my/lifestyle/what-is-tuberculosis-is-it-dangerous

24/02/2026

Malaysian children do not get enough sleep. It can't be stressed enough, how important is sleep to a child's growth and development. Aside from practicing good sleep hygiene, parents should also look out for signs and symptoms to suggest other underlying disorders that may be contributing to sleeping problems in children.

Sleep disorders in children may present as behavioral insomnia, night terrors, sleepwalking, teeth grinding, bed-wetting, or .

Recognizing symptoms, such as snoring, gasping, or persistent sleep difficulties, and implementing consistent bedtime routines can help address underlying issues and support .

https://bit.ly/3ZWpliD

23/02/2026

Happy Chinese New Year and Happy birthday to all of us!
Gong Xi Fa Cai! May this year bring abundance in joy, blessings and wealth for everyone! 😍

20/02/2026

Thank you so much. It's adorable. Love it. All the best to you too.

20/02/2026

School readiness preparation needs to start before 6 years old, in order to be truly ready for primary 1.

14/02/2026

Early greetings for a Happy Chinese New Year! Our clinic will be closed from 16th to 19th February and resume operations on Friday, 20th February 2026. Wish all children grow strong, healthy and happy always!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!🥰

07/02/2026

How to keep food safe? Here are some Myths vs Facts ....

Here are some simple facts about everyday food habits that can help you keep safe from preventable foodborne diseases.

26/01/2026

Children on the autistic spectrum are more likely to be fussy eaters as certain food textures, tastes, smells and appearance can be overwhelming. Severe fussy eating can lead to nutritional deficiencies. When should parents seek help?

SECOND CHANCE SUNDAY

Autism and 'picky eating' get talked about like it’s a phase… or a behaviour problem to fix. But for many autistic children, food can genuinely feel overwhelming, unpredictable, and unsafe — and that changes everything about how we need to support them.

Based upon recent research (e.g. Mathew et al., 2022) showing that children on the autism spectrum are significantly more likely to have feeding difficulties, reduced dietary variety and lower diet quality compared to non-autistic peers, it’s clear that eating behaviours in autism are less about mere 'pickiness' and more about sensory, neurological and regulatory challenges that need targeted support.

In this visual, I’m breaking down what’s really going on underneath food refusal and restricted eating — and how we can respond in ways that protect trust, reduce stress, and build gentle progress over time.

21/01/2026

Hyperacusis, or increased sensitivity to sound, is common in people with autism. For someone with severe hyperacusis, everyday sounds may cause distress. The distress may cause the individual to cover their ears, try to turn off the source, throw a tantrum, or try to escape the environment.

21/01/2026

Hyperacusis is common among people with autism. For someone with severe hyperacusis, everyday sounds may be unpleasant or even painful, causing reactions such as covering their ears, turning off the source, tantrums or escaping the environment.

10/01/2026

18/10/2025