Dr Soo Child Specialist

17/09/2026

06/09/2026

🌫️ HAZE & YOUR CHILD: What Malaysian Parents Should Know

With hazy conditions affecting parts of Malaysia recently, many parents are wondering: How much should we worry about our children? Recent episodes have affected the Klang Valley and other parts of the country, and haze risk can fluctuate with weather, winds and rainfall.

Haze isn’t just about poor visibility. One of the main health concerns is PM2.5 — extremely fine particles that can travel deep into the lungs and irritate our airways.

👶 Why are children more vulnerable?

Children’s lungs are still developing. They also breathe more air relative to their body size and are often more active outdoors, which means they may inhale more pollutants while running and playing.

During hazy days, you may notice:

👀 Itchy, watery or irritated eyes
👃 Sneezing, blocked or runny nose
😮‍💨 Dry or sore throat
🫁 Cough, phlegm or breathing discomfort
🤧 Worsening allergic rhinitis
💨 Wheezing or worsening asthma symptoms

Children with asthma, recurrent wheezing, allergic rhinitis or chronic respiratory conditions may be more sensitive when air quality worsens.

📱 Don’t judge the haze by what you can see

The Malaysian API (Air Pollutant Index) can change throughout the day, so a clear-looking sky doesn’t necessarily tell us the whole story.

Before sending your child for prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities, check the latest official API reading on the Department of Environment’s APIMS portal.

Check Malaysia’s current API (APIMS)

For most healthy children, short-term haze exposure usually causes temporary irritation rather than serious illness. There is no need to panic, but reducing unnecessary exposure when air quality is poor is sensible.

🚨 Seek medical attention if your child develops difficulty breathing, persistent wheezing, chest tightness, significant breathing discomfort, poor feeding, unusual lethargy, or appears generally unwell.

🌿 Stay informed. Check the API. Plan outdoor activities wisely. Protect those little lungs.

02/09/2026

Sometimes, a simple “thank you” can really touch my heart. ❤️

It’s never about the gift itself, but knowing that the care, time and heart I’ve given to a child and family have been felt and appreciated.

Being a paediatrician is a journey of constant learning. There will always be more for me to learn, more ways to improve, and more that I can do for the little ones under my care.

Little moments like this encourage me to keep going, keep learning, and keep giving my very best.

Thank you for your trust and kindness, and for allowing me to be part of your child’s journey. It truly means more than you know. ❤️

29/08/2026

RSV positive — does my child need to go to hospital? 🦠👶

Seeing a positive RSV result can be worrying, especially for parents of young babies. But remember: A positive RSV test alone does not mean your child needs hospital admission.*

Many children with RSV can recover safely at home with supportive care, as long as they are breathing comfortably, drinking reasonably well, passing urine regularly, alert and responsive, and their symptoms are stable or improving.

🚨 Seek medical attention urgently if your child develops fast or difficult breathing, significant chest recession, nasal flaring or grunting, bluish lips, pauses in breathing, poor feeding, significantly fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness, or appears to be getting worse.

👶 Be particularly cautious with young babies (especially under 3 months), premature babies, and children with underlying heart/lung disease or immune problems, as they may be at higher risk of more severe RSV infection.

The most important message for parents:

❤️ Don’t just look at the RSV result. Look at the CHILD.

When in doubt, or if something about your child's condition worries you, seek medical advice.

27/08/2026

🌫️ HAZE & YOUR CHILD: When is it safe to play outside?

Children are more vulnerable to the effects of haze, especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. During hazy days, make it a habit to check the Malaysia Air Pollutant Index (API) before allowing your child to spend long periods outdoors.

As the API rises, reduce outdoor activities and strenuous exercise. On very unhealthy or hazardous days, it is best to keep children indoors as much as possible and minimise exposure to outdoor air.

🏠 Keep doors and windows closed when air quality is poor, use an air purifier if available, and encourage your child to drink enough fluids.

🚨 Watch for persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness, breathing difficulty, or significant eye, nose and throat irritation.
Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or worsening, especially if your child has underlying asthma or lung problems.

💚 Clean air today, healthier tomorrow. Let’s protect our children.

11/08/2026

*Lately, life has felt a little chaotic.

There have been unexpected things happening, difficult moments to navigate, and reminders that life doesn’t always go according to plan.

And somewhere in the middle of all that, I found myself wondering:

What is my child learning from me?

Children may not remember every lesson we teach them.

But they remember what they see.

How we speak when we are frustrated.
How we handle disagreements.
How we respond when things go wrong.
How we treat others under pressure.
How we admit when we are wrong.
How we deal with stress and disappointment.

Because these ordinary, imperfect moments are also lessons.

Our children are learning what it means to be kind, respectful, responsible and resilient.

And perhaps, when life gets messy, we don't need to be perfect.

We just need to show them that even when things are difficult,
we can choose how we respond.

Because sometimes, the most important lesson we give our children isn't something we say.

It is the way we live, respond and handle life. ❤

02/08/2026

"I'm stressed."

Have you ever heard a toddler say that?

Probably not.

But that doesn't mean they aren't feeling it.

Sometimes, what looks like "bad behaviour" may actually be your child's way of asking for help.

👀 Swipe through—you might be surprised by what stress looks like in children.

❤️ Save this post for yourself or share it with another parent who needs to see this.

27/07/2026

We treat the child, not the AI's interpretation.

Today, a parent came to my clinic for a second opinion.

"I asked AI about my child's condition," she said. "After reading all the possible complications, I became really worried."

And honestly, I understand.

AI is an incredible tool. It can help parents understand symptoms, learn about common illnesses, and know what questions to ask. But AI can only interpret the information you type—it cannot see your child.

As a pediatrician, I don't just look at a list of symptoms. I watch how a child walks into the room, how they breathe, how they interact, whether they're playful or lethargic, how well they're hydrated, and what I find on examination. These small details often change the diagnosis completely.

Two children may have the exact same fever and cough, yet one has a simple viral infection while the other needs urgent treatment.

That's why medicine is more than matching symptoms to a diagnosis. It's clinical judgement, experience, and seeing the whole child.

AI can help parents become better informed. But when your child is unwell, nothing replaces a thorough medical assessment.

❤️ We don't treat an AI's interpretation. We treat the child.

22/07/2026

🚨 Your child's RSV may look "mild"... until Day 3–5.

Many parents think their child is getting worse because the treatment isn't working.

In reality, RSV naturally peaks around Day 3–5, and this is when breathing problems are most likely to appear.

👶 While most children recover at home, babies younger than 6 months and children with certain medical conditions can become seriously ill.

❤️ Watch closely for:
• Fast or difficult breathing
• Chest in-drawing
• Poor feeding
• Dehydration
• Blue lips or unusual sleepiness

Most children gradually improve after the peak, although the cough may linger for 2–4 weeks.

📌 Save this timeline—you'll know what to expect and when it's time to seek medical attention.

14/07/2026

🦠 Rotavirus is more than just a simple stomach bug.

It is one of the leading causes of severe diarrhea and vomiting in young children. The illness usually starts 1–3 days after exposure and lasts 3–8 days.

⚠️ The biggest danger is rapid dehydration, which can become life-threatening if not recognized early.

Watch for signs such as dry mouth, reduced urination, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, or unusual sleepiness, and seek medical attention promptly if these occur.

Early recognition and timely treatment can make all the difference. 💙