Dr Jeanne Wong

18/01/2026

How to differentiate oral thrush from milk tongue in babies

White curdish patches in a baby’s mouth are often due to oral thrush, a yeast infection in babies. They appear as White, curd-like plaques that are adherent on the tongue, inner lips, and buccal mucosa unlike mild tongue where normal milk residue is confined mainly to the tongue and appears as a thin uniform white coating.

While they might seem worrying, oral thrush is usually easily treated in babies who are otherwise well.

13/01/2026

“Doctor, my child smells under the arms… is this normal?”

Body odour in children can surprise and worry parents, especially when it appears in a young child who doesn’t look like a teenager yet. The good news? In most cases, it’s common, harmless, and not a sign of early puberty.

I share why this happens, which hormones are involved, when to worry, and what parents can do in my latest column in The Sunday Star.

Click the link to learn more.

https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/hormones-and-kids/2026/01/13/worried-that-your-kid-has-suddenly-become-a-bit-smelly

06/01/2026

❗️Signs of Respiratory Distress in a Child — Don’t Wait ❗️

Dear parents, When a child is struggling to breathe, it can worsen very quickly. Early action saves lives. Please take these signs seriously 👇

⚠️ Warning signs to watch for:
• Fast breathing or breathing harder than usual
• Chest retractions – skin pulling in between ribs or at the neck - these are signs of increase work of breathing
• Nasal flaring
• Noisy breathing (wheezing, grunting, stridor)
• Bluish lips or tongue
• Poor feeding, unable to talk , weak cry
• unusual sleepiness, or irritability

❗Trust your instincts
If your child “just doesn’t look right”, that matters.

🏥 Go to the hospital EARLY if:
• Breathing looks laboured, fast even if child is still active
• Your child is getting tired from breathing
• Symptoms are worsening, not improving
• Your child is an infant or has underlying conditions

⏰ Don’t wait for it to become severe
Children can compensate for a while — but once they tired, deterioration can be sudden.

👉 Early assessment = earlier treatment matters. Treatment such as oxygen or nebuliser might be needed. In severe cases, additional breathing support or PICU care are needed.

🫁 Additional treatment depwnds on the underlying cause. Common causes include infections (bronchiolitis, pneumonia), asthma attacks, airway obstruction, allergic reactions, and worsening of underlying medical conditions.

23/12/2025

Dear parents, Dr Jeanne will be on leave and away 23-25th December. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and happy holidays to everyone! 💕

18/12/2025

✨ Are growth supplements really helping your child grow taller or stronger ✨

As parents we want the best for our kids, especially when we see them growing day by day. But the true growth boosters are

🌱 A balanced diet rich in real food
😴 Plenty of sleep to recharge and rebuild
🏃‍♀️ Active play to support bones and muscles

📌 Supplements can be helpful in specific cases, like when a child has a nutrient deficiency confirmed by a doctor, but they are not a magic potion for every child.

Before you reach for that bottle off the shelf, ask yourself this:
Is it necessary, or just marketed to look that way?

I recently wrote an article on this topic for The Star, breaking down what actually supports healthy growth and when supplements may or may not be necessary. The full article is free to read until this weekend, so do take the time to read it and decide with clarity, not fear.

Let’s give our kids the foundation they truly need, and save pills for when they are truly needed. 💛

https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/hormones-and-kids/2025/12/16/are-growth-supplements-really-necessary-for-children

Parents whose child is not growing as fast as their peers, might be tempted to give them supplements, but this might not always be safe.

16/12/2025

Top 2 Respiratory Viruses Causing Hospital Admissions in December

1️⃣ RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
A virus paediatricians worry about most.
Common cause of bronchiolitis, especially in babies

26/11/2025

Join us this World Diabetes Day as we come together to build a healthier community! 💙
Sunway Medical Centre Damansara, together with our partners, invites you to a morning filled with free health screenings, expert health talks, activities and more.

We are honoured to welcome YB Puan Jamaliah Binti Jamaluddin - ADN Bandar Utama, who will be joining us for this meaningful community event.

📅 29 November 2025 (Saturday)
🕗 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
📍 BU3 Community Hall, Bandar Utama

🌟 Event Highlights
🔹 Basic Health Screening: Cholesterol (RM10), Blood Pressure, Glucose, Uric Acid
🔹 Special Screenings: Hearing, Eye Health, Bone Density
🔹 Health Talks by Specialists
🔹 Booth Activities
🔹 Exercise Session
🔹 Lucky Draw Prizes!

🎤 Speakers Line-up
✨ Dr Ida Ilyani Binti Adam – Consultant Endocrinologist and Physician
✨ Dr Jeanne Wong Sze Lyn – Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist and Paediatrician
✨ Dr Malisa Ami – Consultant Ophthalmologist
✨ Dr Sharina Binti Mohd Razali – Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
✨ SRN Sufin A/P Khon Ah Tek & SRN Siti Nur Hidayah Abdul Samad – Wound Assessment & Foot Care

Scan the QR code or click the link below to register your interest today!
https://forms.gle/6pv3upkZDX2J6w6x6

Let’s take charge of our health together. 💙

26/11/2025

11/11/2025

💙 Diabetes in a Child – More Than Just Sugar Levels
When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, life changes overnight, not only for the child but for the whole family. It’s more than insulin and blood sugar checks, it’s the emotional, social, and financial challenges that many don’t see.

In my latest Hormones & Kids column for The Sunday Star, I share how families cope beyond the medical side...and why healthcare providers, schools, and communities all play a vital role in supporting these children so they can thrive, not just survive.

💠 November is World Diabetes Month, with World Diabetes Day on Nov 14 ,
a time to raise awareness, fight stigma, and stand together with every child living with diabetes. 💪

https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/hormones-and-kids/2025/11/10/diabetes-in-a-child-takes-a-toll-beyond-the-disease

02/11/2025

Common admissions these days:

🌡️ Influenza tops the list - high fever, cough, cold. Getting tested early and with antivirals (oseltamivir) can help reduce serious complications such as pneumonia in children.

😮‍💨 RSV bronchioliti ~ infants with fever, cough, wheeze and fast breathing. Always seek prompt or immediate medical attention if your baby is breathing rapidly even if still active!

🫁 Pneumonia (lung infection) persistent fever, cough and fast breathing.

🤢 Acute gastroenteritis , food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain

🤒 Dengue - A blood test is done if there is a clinical suspicion or persistent fever >3 -4 day

It’s definitely bug season again! take care everyone, keep those little hands clean and make sure your kids stay well hydrated and rested 🫶💖

29/10/2025

🌙 Life as doctors in the hospital — sometimes means working more than 16 hours a day, with on-calls that stretch through the night....Missing meals and running on little sleep become part of the routine. Yes, it’s tiring and stressful at times…
But moments like this — when our little ones and mommies are safe, healthy, and well — make it all worth it. 💕 Also always grateful for the amazing teamwork with my dedicated colleagues, nurses and all healthcare staff. 🌟💪💕

19/10/2025

Wishing all families celebrating a bright and joyful Deepavali! 🌟May the light of this season bring warmth to your homes, good health to your little ones, and happiness that shines all year long. 💛