INDUSTRY ESSENTIALS

Clinical evidence indicates that MFGM supplementation during the critical window of early brain development supports multiple aspects of cognitive development, including executive function, language skills, motor performance, IQ, behavioral and emotional regulation. Taken together, the overall pattern of findings is broadly consistent with those reported for breastfed infants and is more favorable than standard formula, with effects persisting into later life. These findings support that aligning infant nutrition more closely with the functional components of human milk may represent a practical strategy to enhance neurodevelopment in formula-fed infants.

The 2025 AASLD/IDSA practice guideline establishes an updated, risk-stratified framework for managing chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Addressing six core PICO questions, the guideline advocates shared decision-making, particularly for patients in clinically indeterminate phases or immune-tolerant states. This updated approach lowers the threshold for treatment initiation by incorporating demographic triggers and non-invasive fibrosis assessments instead of routine liver biopsies. Key recommendations emphasize high-barrier nucleos(t)ide analogues, explicit protocols for perinatal transmission prevention, and defined criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance.

AASLD/IDSA recently published evidence-based practice recommendations, drawing on growing evidence of CHB prevention, surveillance, and treatment, to provide clear, practical guidance for health care professionals in optimizing care for individuals with CHB.

In an interview with Omnihealth Practice, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin, discussed the challenges of endocrine complications in thalassemia and the importance of comprehensive care for children and adolescents.

In an interview with Prof. Dr. Anand Sachithanandan discussed the key gaps in lung cancer management and the nationwide efforts to advance early detection, timely treatment, and equitable surgical care.

Acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (AKI-D) remains a significant challenge following hospital discharge, with up to one-third of patients continuing dialysis in outpatient settings. While some may recover kidney function, others progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Obesity has traditionally been viewed as a risk factor for other conditions and the concept of obesity as a standalone disease remains a subject of debate. In a landmark 2025 publication, the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission redefined obesity through a clinical lens—shifting away from body mass index (BMI)-based assessments and introducing a diagnostic framework that recognizes clinical obesity as a chronic, systemic illness when specific clinical criteria are met. Growing evidence shows that excess adiposity, independent of other obesity-related diseases, can directly and adversely affect the organ function and overall health of an individual, leading to the typical clinical manifestations of illness. To address the gap in current clinical characterization, the Commission defines clinical obesity as a chronic, systemic disease characterized by functional impairments in tissues, organs, or the individual, directly caused by excess adiposity. The redefinition aims to provide a more medically meaningful framework to guide diagnosis, inform clinical decisions, and shape healthcare policies.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a significant global impact, affecting over 800 million people, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. In Hong Kong, recent survey data indicate that 0.7% of individuals aged 15 and older have been diagnosed with renal impairment.1 CKD is classified into five stages, with stages 4 and 5 linked to considerably higher risks of mortality and cardiovascular complications. Early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing the progression to kidney failure and for effective risk stratification, especially since over 40% of individuals with diabetes—a major risk factor for CKD—are likely to develop the condition.

​Acute lower respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are a leading cause of hospitalization in young children. In Hong Kong, RSV is the primary driver of hospital admissions for children under 5 years old with respiratory viral infections, accounting for 50% of deaths in this age group. Among hospitalized RSV-infected patients, 39.4% required mechanical ventilation, while 21.1% needed inotropic support. Additionally, limited local epidemiological data further complicates this challenge.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy has emerged as a transformative treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM), which remains challenging despite advances in conventional therapies. Targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), consistently expressed on malignant