Kelantan Health Department to monitor baby girl’s growth after testing positive for drugs

KOTA BHARU, Aug 16 — The Kelantan Health Department (JKNK) will continue to closely monitor the growth and development of a newborn baby girl who tested positive for drugs at birth. Deputy health director (Medical) Dr Rohana Daud emphasized the importance of ongoing evaluation to detect any potential impacts on the infant's mental, physical, and overall development.

Finnegan Score testing revealed the baby's score had reached zero after receiving treatment for withdrawal symptoms resulting from the mother's drug use. According to Dr Daud, the mother had consumed tranquilisers, and the effects on the baby were expected to be temporary rather than long-term. The incident came to light on August 12 when the baby tested positive for amphetamine and benzodiazepines via urine screening at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II.

The 30-year-old mother was subsequently detained by the police to aid investigations under specific provisions of the Child Act 2001 and Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.