We need to protect the children

IT was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of five-month-old Adam Rayqal Mohd Sufi as a result of traumatic brain injuries. Our condolences to his grieving family.

As paediatricians, we would like to remind Malaysians that injuries are an important preventable cause of death among children. Studies published more than two decades ago as well as recently have shown that children under the age of two years admitted to Malaysian hospitals with unexplained head injuries are suspected to be victims of violence. A significant proportion of these have occurred on children receiving care outside their home in unregistered childcare facilities. Some have died and many more have been left permanently disabled. Apart from violence, poor supervision and unsafe care practices have also resulted in unintentional injuries, accidental drowning and inadvertent poisoning.