Genomic Testing Transforms Paediatric Care At Sunway Medical Centre

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Genomic testing is revolutionising paediatric care, enabling doctors to move beyond symptom-based diagnoses and use precise gene-level insights to identify and manage rare, complex childhood conditions that often go undetected.

According to visiting consultant clinical geneticist Professor Dr Thong Meow Keong at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC), the method allows doctors to examine a child’s DNA directly to identify the exact cause of a disease, an outcome that could otherwise take years through traditional diagnostic methods.

“This makes it much more accurate than just using symptoms, especially when the symptoms are unclear, as it helps find answers faster, avoids incorrect diagnoses, and starts the right treatment sooner.

“Many rare diseases are caused by changes in genes, such as thalassaemia and muscular dystrophy, which in the past were diagnosed mainly by looking at symptoms, blood or urine tests, and sometimes biopsies,” he told Bernama.

However, Dr Thong stated that the main challenges in diagnosing rare genetic disorders in children, particularly in Malaysia, are the high cost of tests, a lack of sufficient genetic experts, and the need sometimes to send samples overseas.

 “Also, many people don’t know much about rare genetic diseases, and there aren’t enough programmes to support families going through this process,” he said.

He said early newborn screening leads to better long-term health outcomes for children with rare diseases, as treatment can begin sooner if the diseases are detected early. 

According to Dr Edward Eu Chee Yang, senior manager of Genomics Medicine at SMC, genomic technology has made paediatric care more accessible and effective, with new technologies like next-generation sequencing making genetic testing faster, cheaper and more accurate in detecting various genetic issues.

“There are also new computer programs that help doctors understand the results more easily. These advances make it more practical to use genomic testing for children in hospitals,” he said.

He also explained that for complex or overlapping symptoms that are difficult to diagnose clinically, the method can simultaneously check for multiple conditions and often identify the cause, even when doctors are uncertain, helping families avoid years of testing and uncertainty.

“This not only accelerates the diagnostic process but also allows for more targeted treatments, improving the chances of better outcomes for the child,” he said.

In line with this, SMC has taken a significant step in advancing Malaysian healthcare by launching its Genomic Medicine Services within the newly opened Health Screening Department, designed to serve both local and international patients.

At the launch of SMC’s Genomic Medicine Services, Dr Khoo Chow Huat, managing director of Hospital and Healthcare Operations at Sunway Healthcare Group, emphasised the hospital's commitment to proactive healthcare.

“Our goal is not just to treat illness but to stay ahead of it. The launch of these services reflects our vision for a future where healthcare is personalised to each patient’s needs and risks, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

“Beyond serving patients, the genomic services are designed to play a larger role in Malaysia’s healthcare landscape, and the hospital is committed to making genomic testing accessible to more Malaysians,” he said.

With the launch of the services, SMC reinforces its role as a healthcare pioneer, committed to integrating innovative diagnostic technologies into patient care.

The services are now open to the public and can be accessed through physical or virtual consultations by physician referrals or self-enquiries. 

Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, Malaysia's largest private quaternary hospital with 810 licensed beds, offers a wide range of medical services, including advanced facilities, speciality care, health programmes, and 24-hour emergency services, supported by over 3,800 healthcare and hospitality professionals.

-- BERNAMA

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