The winds of change are blowing in Malaysia, as the government is taking on an ambitious agenda of structural reform. The objective is to climb up the income ladder and join the league of high-income economies. This is a difficult challenge – one which not many countries have successfully met in the post-war period.
Against this backdrop, the World Bank’s launch of a new report on the Malaysian economy is timely. The Malaysia Economic Monitor, which will be published twice a year, aims to provide context to the challenges facing Malaysia and serve as a platform for discussion and the sharing of knowledge.
Knowledge-sharing is a requisite for the innovation- and knowledge-dependent economy which Malaysia aspires to develop. In this spirit, the Malaysia Economic Monitor aims to serve as a platform for discussion and is accompanied with a major outreach effort to policymakers, private sector leaders, market participants, civil society, think tanks and journalists.
What in a nutshell are some of the key findings of our report?
One finding is that the recent crisis was to some extent a distraction from Malaysia’s fundamental challenges. Yes, Malaysia was hard hit in terms of headline GDP figures and yes, the fiscal deficit rose to levels that raised investor concern. But Malaysia was spared the financial impact of the crisis that crippled advanced economies and the crisis remained very much a manufacturing-for-exports crisis with only moderate spillovers to the rest of the real economy. The fiscal deficit is also much lower when looking beyond headline numbers and including the entire public sector.
Malaysia’s fundamental challenge – simply put – is the need to revitalize the dynamism of its economy. Epitomizing this challenge is the anemic performance of private investment, which fell with the Asian crisis from 30 percent to some 10 percent of GDP and – unlike other countries in the East Asia and Pacific region – remained at that level and never recovered. The flipside of this is the large current account surplus, which indicates that the Malaysian private sector is voting with its feet.
National savings have increasingly gone to finance opportunities abroad, which by revealed preference seem to attract greater returns. Looking ahead, with the emergence of China and India on the global stage, this trend is unlikely to be reversed. In addition, as the global economy rebalances, competition for export market share and foreign direct investment will likely intensify. These external factors make it all the more necessary for Malaysia to revitalize the dynamism of its economy, so that national savings can find their way back into the country.
Click here to view the rest of the story.
CLICK HERE to download the FULL REPORT from The World Bank.
CLICK HERE to download The Executive Summary.
CLICK HERE to download Chapter 1, HERE for Chapter 2 and HERE for Chapter 3 of the report from The World Bank.
*Many thanks to my goddaughter who sent me the information for this post. She is currently doing her doctorate studies in Transportation Technology and Policy at the University of California, Davis. She was my Economics student in 1995. Earlier, she studied at UC @ Irvine and UC @ San Diego.
A minister dies and, resplendent in his clerical collar and colorful robes, waits in line at the Pearly Gates. Just ahead of him is a guy dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans.
Saint Peter addresses this guy, "Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?"
The guy replies, "I'm Joe Green, taxi driver, of Noo Yawk City."
Saint Peter consults his list, smiles and says to the taxi driver,"Take this silken robe and golden staff, and enter into the Kingdom." So the cab driver enters Heaven with his robe and staff, and the minister is next in line. He stands erect. Without being asked, he proclaims, "I am Joseph Snow, head pastor of Saint Mary's for the last forty-three years."
Saint Peter consults his list and says, "Take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
The minister says, "Just a minute. That man was a taxi-driver, and you issued him a silken robe and golden staff. But I get wood and cotton. How can this be?"
Saint Peter says, "Up here, we go by results. While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed."
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The Sin Of Lying
A minister told his congregation, "Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17."
The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the minister asked for a show of hands. He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up.
The minister smiled and said, "Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying."
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Noah's New Improved Ark
Noah went to see God to ask him for a new and improved 'ark'.
"Ok Noah. I think it is time you had a new ark", God said. "Take a seat, tell me your ideas, and I'll start a design."
"Well, firstly, I'd like it to have plenty of floors. Say, 5 or 6," Noah said.
"Ok... 5 or 6 floors."
"I'd also like some spaces on the floors as well, to keep things in."
"Right, spaces." And with this God starts drawing a few designs for Noah. "Would you like some animals in there to start you off?" God asked him.
"Erm... Fish!" Noah replied.
"Fish. Ok. What sort? Any in particular?"
"Carp, and plenty of them," Noah said.
"Carp. Anything else needed?" God asked. And they went through various items such as the colour, doors, windows, etc. Finally, between them both they'd come up with a design that they both agreed on. Sitting back in his chair admiring the new 'ark,' God asked Noah, "So, what are you going to call it? Have you thought of anything?"
"Well God. I thought I'd call it 'Noah's Multi-Story Carp Ark.'"
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Quarantine Diet
A man returns from Africa and is feeling very ill. He goes to see his doctor, and is immediately rushed to the Hospital, to undergo a barrage of tests.
The man wakes up after the tests in a private room at the hospital, and the phone by his bed rings.
"This is your doctor. We've had the results back from your tests and we've found you have an extremely nasty virus, which is extremely contagious!"
"Oh my gosh," cried the man, "What are you going to do, doctor?"
"Well we're going to put you on a diet of pizzas, pancakes, and pitta bread."
"Will that cure me?" asked the man.
The doctor replied, "Well no, but...it's the only food we can get under the door."
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It Must Be The Drinking
A drunk goes to the doctor complaining of tiredness and headaches. "I feel tired all the time, my head hurts, and I'm not sleeping. What is it, Doc?"
The doctor examines him thoroughly and says, "I can't find anything wrong. It must be the drinking."
"Fair enough," replied the lush. "I'll come back when you sober up."
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Emotional Extremes
Three aspiring psychiatrists were attending their first class on emotional extremes.
"Just to establish some parameters," said the professor, to the student from Arkansas, "What is the opposite of joy?"
"Sadness," said the student.
"And the opposite of depression?" he asked of the young lady from Oklahoma.
"Elation," she said.
"And you sir," he said to the young man from Texas, "How about the opposite of woe?"
The Texan replied, "Sir, I believe that would be giddy up."
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Hormone Fun
A woman went to her doctor for a follow-up visit after the doctor had prescribed testosterone (a male hormone) for her.
She was a little worried about some of the side effects she was experiencing.
"Doctor, the hormones you've been giving me have really helped, but I'm afraid that you're giving me too much. I've started growing hair in places that I've never grown hair before."
The doctor reassured her. "A little hair growth is a perfectly normal side effect of testosterone. Just where has this hair appeared?"
"On my b****."
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Sweet & Sticky ?
In a biology class at Harvard University, the professor was discussing the high glucose levels found in semen.
A female freshman raised her hand and asked, "If I understand, you're saying there is a lot of glucose, as in sugar, in semen?
"That's correct," responded the professor, going on to add statistical info.
Raising her hand again, the girl asked, "Then why doesn't it taste sweet?"
After a stunned silence, the whole class burst out laughing, the poor girl's face turned bright red, and as she realised exactly what she had inadvertently said (or rather implied), she picked up her books without a word and walked out of class, never to return.
However, as she was going out the door, the Professor's reply was classic.
Totally straight-faced, he answered her question. "It doesn't taste sweet because the taste buds for sweetness are on the tip of your tongue, not the back of your throat. Have a good day."
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Please accept my apologies if any of these jokes have offended you. As always, my intention is to inject humor into cyberspace and not to insult anyone. Have a nice day.
My first experience of Malaysia was when I was assigned to perform a survey on a piece of industrial equipment located over on the East coast,near the town of Dungun, in the state of Terengganu.
As this was to be my first visit to this country I did as I usually do,I did a little research - just the normal stuff that is readily available on the internet. I was interested in local customs as I didn’t want to offend the locals with some act or deed that could be deemed innocent back home but possibly seen as deserving many years incarceration in a prison where male rape is viewed as a parochial pastime. Travel and hotel accommodation – these are always big topics for me. I do like driving so a hire car is a must and I do love my creature comforts so a choice of decent hotels is always very much a plus for me.
After spending around 30 minutes browsing a few different travel sites I had seen enough to convince me that I was on to a winner here. Of course, I told my office colleagues that I was about to embark on a journey fraught with every imaginable danger from dreaded tropical diseases to the high probability risk of kidnap and subsequent beheading by a band of drug-crazed fundamentalists. Muffled coughs and words of encouragement were forthcoming along with handshakes and half-hearted assurances that all would well, and reminders that the company operated an excellent scheme of remuneration for widows and dependents.
Oh how I inwardly laughed. Mugs. I was off on the trip of a lifetime to a tropical heaven while they would be suffering the delights of a dismal B+B in Middlesbrough or Immingham.
Flights were booked,hotel reservations made,hire car arranged by our office girl who went by the name of Daphne.
Now Daphne was a very pretty girl who enjoyed a lifestyle more befitting landed gentry than the position of office temp. She travelled the world extensively, had a wardrobe that would not embarrass a catwalk model, wore jewellery that originated from the hallowed counter of Bentley and Skinner of Bond street. Office gossip had it that she enjoyed the trappings of wealth due to her prowess in the bedroom…and this may or may not be true. All I know is that when I left for the airport, she gave me a very knowing wink and a very sexy “Bon Voyage” as she silently conveyed the message that my secret was safe with her.
The flight from Manchester to KL was long and mind numbingly boring so it was with great relief I alighted from the flying straight jacket of economy class and walked the marble halls of KLIA. I had waltzed through customs and found the car hire desk. Now I was about to experience the cumbersome paperwork that so inhibits the Malaysian psyche.What size of car did I want - small,family,executive or luxury?
Executive seemed to fit the bill I thought. Yes, executive will do very nicely thank you. Automatic or manual? Automatic will do just fine I replied. The answer to those two simple questions were to fill the next 45 minutes of the desk clerk's time as she waded through innumerable sheafs of paperwork. Much stapling and transfer of dockets, much to-ing and fro-ing, much grumbling from the eight or nine customers waiting behind me. Finally, I was given a set of keys and a printed route card showing me the exact location of my designated vehicle. I left to the thunderous applause of those who were eagerly awaiting their turn to experience the, almost soviet, obsession that is the Malaysian administration process. This was to be lesson one.
Luckily I travel light - one suitcase,wheeled,is sufficient for my day-to-day needs.If I find I'm short of clothing, I buy from the nearest gentleman's clothing store- not,as my wife tells our friends, from the local Oxfam charity shop. The route card I had been handed promised a walk of no more than a few hundred yards. After more than an hour, it felt like I was dragging the anchor chain from Titanic rather than my humble suitcase, and I still had another two inches of route card to cover.
Lesson two – All Malaysian route cards have the words”not to scale”missing from them
As night fall approached, I arrived at the hire car compound. Before me was an ocean of blue and red Proton Wiras - row upon row of the beasts. It would seem that this exceptional vehicle fits all designations, from small to luxury, manual or automatic.
Hastily,I was now beginning to suffer from the effects of heat exhaustion. I sought the set of keys given to me by the ever so charming,but grossly inefficient,counter clerk. It seems to be the policy of all hire car companies,worldwide, to include,on the key ring,a small tab identifying the registration number of the designated hire car. Alas lessons three and four were soon to be learnt. No identifying number was evident.
From shear exasperation I inserted my key into the door lock of the nearest Proton Wira…and hey bloody presto - it opened, and so did the one next to it, and the one next to it.
So, lesson three also incorporates lesson four - there's no need to put identification tags on Malaysian hire car key sets as the one key fits all Protons ever made. How cool is that?
My journey into the heart of KL was not an easy journey, or a short one.I also learnt lesson five when I could only find a 100 ringgit note in my wallet at the toll booth on the KLIA to KL expressway. Isn't small change very heavy and bulky?
Lesson six came up behind five very quickly.
There is a song whose lyrics state that only “mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun”, I would like to add to this as lesson six “or drive in the centre of KL,at night, looking for a hotel that was booked by a high class whore called Daphne”.
Eventually I found my hotel - registered and went in search of the lounge bar and a very large,relaxing, gin and tonic. As I sat in the luxurious surroundings of the Sheraton Imperial, I sent a mental e-mail to Daphne thanking her for her extravagance in selecting a five-star hotel for my overnight stay. Something told me that she had experienced this hotel first hand herself and, like my good self, was not picking up the bill the next morning.
On my drink's coaster was written the slogan Malaysia-Truly Asian.
If it had of been me who had been tasked with producing a slogan, it would now read Malaysia- Truly Maddening,Exasperating,but with a Charm that must be experienced to be believed. Not as catchy I grant you, but so much nearer the truth.
My journey of enlightenment had only just begun. Many,many more lessons were to be learnt during my first and subsequent visits to Malaysia - lessons that would draw me in and endear themselves to me.
I was smitten.
- TO BE CONTINUED-
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This post was written by a very dear blog reader who is now a very good friend. We have been corresponding via e-mail for almost a year now and I always look forward to his mails, each of which is deeply treaured. He comes from Scotland and has a beautiful wife and the most adorable daughter. Tony has written a few posts for me in this blog HERE, HERE, HERE and also AT THIS LINK. Thanks, Tony, for this wonderful write-up. We are waiting with bated breath for the next part of your story.
Dear reader, if you would like to share your thoughts/experiences in this blog, please leave your post and email address in the comment box and I will get in touch with you. It would certainly be a pleasure to hear from you and to host your article. Thank you. Have a nice day!
A middle aged man boarded an airplane, flying for the first time in his life. He was visibly nervous, ashen-faced, sweating, and gripping the arm wrest so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.
The man in the chair next to him was a minister, who attempted to calm the man. “Be of good cheer, friend. Don’t forget God’s promise from the Good Book: “ Lo, I will be with you always.”
The other man looked at the minister, with a terrified look on his face, and replied “Low! That’s the problem! We’ll be high!”
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Computer gender
Well, since ships are female (referred to as 'she' or 'her'), are computers male or female?
A pastor of a church who was previously a sailor, was very aware that ships are addressed as "she" and "her". He often wondered what gender computers should be addressed. To answer that question, he set up two groups of computer experts. The first was comprised of women, and the second of men. Each group was asked to recommend whether computers should be referred to in the feminine gender, or the masculine gender. They were asked to give 4 reasons for their recommendation.
The group of women reported that the computers should be referred to in the masculine gender because:
1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
2. They have a lot of data, but are still clueless.
3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they are the problem.
4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited a little longer you could have had a better model.
The men, on the other hand concluded that Computers should be referred to in the feminine gender because:
1. No one but the Creator understands their internal logic.
2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers incomprehensible to everyone else.
3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval.
4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.
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Letter to the IRS
Oh, if only paying our federal income tax were actually this easy ...
Attn: IRS
Enclosed is my 1999 tax return & payment.
Please take note of the attached article from the USA Today newspaper. In the article, you will see the Pentagon is paying $171.50 for hammers and NASA has paid $600.00 for a toilet seat.
Please find enclosed four toilet seats (value $2400) and six hammers (value $1029). This brings my total payment to $3429.00.
Please note the overpayment of $22.00 and apply it to the “Presidential Election Fund,” as noted on my return. Might I suggest you the send the above mentioned fund a 1.5 inch screw.” (See attached article...HUD paid $22.00 for a 1.5 inch phillips head screw.)
It has been a pleasure to pay my tax bill this year, and I look forward to paying it again next year.
Sincerely,
A satisfied taxpayer
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A Letter From A Forgetful Man
... or have I already posted this?
Just a line to say I’m living.
that I’m not among the dead.
though I’m getting more forgetful,
and more mixed up in the head.
For sometimes I can’t remember
when I stand at the foot of the stairs,
if I must go up for something or
if I’ve just come down from there.
Standing before the fridge so often
my poor mind is filled with doubt,
have I just put food away or
have I come to take some out.
There are times when it is dark out
with my night cap on my head,
I don’t know if I’m retiring or
just got out of bed.
So-if it’s my turn to write you,
there’s no need of getting sore, I may
think I’ve already written and don’t
want to be a bore.
So, remember: I do love you and I
wish that you were here.
but, now it’s nearly mailtime
so, I must say good-bye my dear.
There I stood before the mailbox
with my face so very red, instead of
mailing you the letter I opened it instead!
Regards,
*note that he forgot to sign off
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Top 10 list of things to NOT get your husband for Christmas (or his birthday, or Father’s Day)
Top 10 list of things to NOT get your husband for Christmas (or his birthday) - seriously. No matter what you think, he *doesn't* want these things. Honest.
10. Anne of Avonlea/Anne of Green Gables Collectors Edition with 74 minutes of extra footage
9. Any knick-knack. Absolutely none. It doesn’t matter if he loves Emmett Kelly - none.
8. Tickets to the ballet, opera, or anything similar.
7. Another new tie - it doesn’t matter how cute it is, or if it lights up
6. A Bath and Body Works Soap Basket
5. New teddy bear pajamas - especially if they have feet
4. Vacuum cleaner
3. A weekend seminar on "Getting in Touch With Your Feelings",
2. Pair of fuzzy bunny slippers
1. A nose and ear hair trimmer (we’re talking about what he wants, not what he needs)
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‘Twas the Night Before Implementation
*Strictly for the computer nerds among us - but we geeks will laugh out loud at the final 2 lines, since they're *so* true!
’Twas the nite before implementation and all through the house,
Not a program was working, not even a browse.
The programmers hung by their tubes in despair,
With hopes that a miracle soon would be there.
The users were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of inquiries danced in their heads.
When out in the machine room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
And what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a super programmer ( with a six-pack of root beer ).
Her resume glowed with experience so rare,
She turned out great code with a bit-pusher’s flair.
More rapid than eagles, her programs they came,
And she cursed and muttered and called them by name.
On Update! On Add! On Inquiry! On Delete!
On Batch Jobs! On Closings! On Functions Complete!
Her eyes were glazed over, fingers nimble and lean,
From weekends and nights in front of a screen.
A wink of her eye and a twitch of her head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
Turning specs into code; then turned with a jerk.
And laying her finger upon the “ENTER” key,
The system came up and worked perfectly.
The updates updated; the deletes, they deleted;
The inquiries inquired, and closings completed.
She tested each whistle, and tested each bell,
With nary a bomb, and all had gone well.
The system was finished, the tests were concluded,
The users’ last changes were even included.
And the user exclaimed with a snarl and a taunt,
“It’s just what I asked for, but not what I want!”
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How to know when your young child has been spending too much time on the Internet
How do you know when your child has been spending too much time on the computer?
Six-year-old boy, Jack, recently informed his mother that he wasn’t born—he was downloaded (a true story)
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Have a nice day!
Thanks to friends/readers who sent me these jokes.
According to Malaysian laws for national elections, a general election must be held no later than five years subsequent to the previous elections. The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008 and many believe that a snap election is imminent .
As with all preceding general elections following independence, the 12th parliamentary election was won by BN, but yielded one of the worst results in the coalition's history. Opposition parties had what has been commonly referred to as a tsunami victory, winning 82 seats (out of 222 seats in parliament) or 36.9% of parliamentary seats, while BN only managing to secure the remaining 140 seats or 63.1%. It marked also the first time since the 1969 election that the coalition did not win a two-thirds supermajority in the Malaysian Parliament required to pass amendments to the Malaysian Constitution. In addition, 5 of 13 state legislatures were won by the opposition, compared with only one in the last election.
Currently, both the BN and the Opposition have started preparing for the next election and concerned citizens wonder who will win the 13th General Elections.
According to Sembang-Sembang Forum:
PM Najib’s approval rating has eased slightly between June and September this year, according to a survey conducted by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research. 65% of the people polled were satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister in June compared to 56% in September. However the number of people dissatisfied with his performance remained roughly the same with 23% in September against 22% in June.
The survey also found that 47% of the people polled think that the Pakatan Rakyat is not a viable alternative to the BN at the Federal level. However, 46% were satisfied with the 4 Pakatan Rakyat led State Governments.
With Najib seemingly on a roll with his public relations exercise and numerous feel-good statements lately, the Pakatan Rakyat loose coalition at its lowest ebb with its myriad of internal troubles, will the BN or Pakatan Rakyat win if Najib was to call for a snap elections tomorrow? Will there be another political tsunami at the Federal level? Or will the 2-Party system be just a fading dream?
If you want to know more about this topic, please come and listen to Ibrahim Suffian's talk this Sunday from 2p.m. to 5.00p.m. at Kompleks Pusat Penyayang, Jalan Utama, Penang.
Ibrahim Suffian is the Head of Programs and a Director of the Merdeka Centre of Opinion Research. He started the Centre in 2001 with another friend as “to help democracy mature, make the Government more accountable to the people and allow the people to have a say in what goes on in the country”.
His presentation is based on result findings from numerous surveys and popularity polls conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research which is an independent, non-partisan organization focused on public opinion research and socio-economic analysis.
This forum is organized by Sembang-sembang Forum which is a NGO run by Penangites for Penangites to discuss current issues that affect us. For more information, please CLICK THIS LINK. Please try to attend this talk. Thanks! Have a nice day.
In the wee hours of the morning,I was greatly surprised when I received an e-mail from my son. I reckon this was the second time he had sent me an e-mail so happily I clicked to read and it was a one-liner telling me about the story of a video and how he knew I would love such emotional stories. When I saw the title, I sort of guessed the outcome of this story as I am sure you would too.
So who's Eliot and why is he so famous?
Elliot was born with an undeveloped lung, a heart with a hole in it and DNA that placed faulty information into each and every cell of his body. However, through this innocent life, God showed Himself through this boy who never uttered a word. He showed us that life is precious and that we should always treasure what we have in our lives.
In the midst of heartbreaking tragedy, the Mooney family found the presence of God strengthening, comforting, and guiding them. Their story reminds us to seek God and endure our struggles rather than blame Him for our hardships. It is always very easy to become negative during trials and temptations but the truth is, it is during such trying times that we become stronger when we see ourselves and God more clearly.
For more about Eliot's family, please CLICK THIS LINK.
This is sad, yet heart warming. God bless this family!
The family is from Fayetteville, AK. Get your tissues ready.
The powerful story of Elliot's 99 days represented by 99 balloons. How can we ever explain the overwhelming feeling of love found and then lost? This is for all parents out there who have gone through such a painful experience of losing one's precious child. It is unimaginable yet they go on with such courage, such spirit! This video reminds us of how precious life is and how profound God's gift is to us~ our children.
I watched this video so many times. Each time, I wipe the tears from my eyes when I see how this child holds on fighting for dear life. No one can ever understand God's plans for our lives. Sometimes, we may think we have everything in our hands. When we watch this video, we see how a loving baby with loving hands can steal our hearts. True, he suffered but God took the pain in tears away. Angels carried him through those pretty pearly gates of heaven and all that the parents can do now is to remember the 99 days they shared with Eliot.
For those of us who are parents, let us treasure our children and our families. For those of us who have parents, let us not forget how they took care of us when we were babies and to be always thankful for what we have and who we have in our lives.
Life is precious - treasure it!!!! Have a lovely day!
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The following information about Trysomy 18 is taken from Wikipedia:
Trisomy 18 (T18) (also known as Trisomy E or Edwards Syndrome) is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. It is named after John H. Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960. It is the second most common autosomal trisomy, after Down Syndrome, that carries to term.
Trisomy 18 is caused by the presence of three—as opposed to two—copies of chromosome 18 in a fetus or infant's cells. The incidence of the syndrome is estimated as one in 3,000 live births. The incidence increases as the mother's age increases. The syndrome has a very low rate of survival, resulting from heart abnormalities, kidney malformations, and other internal organ disorders.
Prognosis
The survival rate of Edwards Syndrome is very low. About 95% die in utero. Of liveborn infants, only 50% live to 2 months, and only 5–10% will survive their first year of life. Major causes of death include apnea and heart abnormalities. It is impossible to predict the exact prognosis of an Edwards Syndrome child during pregnancy or the neonatal period. The median life span is five to fifteen days. One percent of children born with this syndrome live to age ten, typically in cases of the less severe mosaic Edwards syndrome.
Features and characteristics
Infants born with Edwards syndrome may have some or all of the following characteristics: kidney malformations, structural heart defects at birth (i.e., ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus), intestines protruding outside the body (omphalocele), esophageal atresia, mental retardation, developmental delays, growth deficiency, feeding difficulties, breathing difficulties, and arthrogryposis (a muscle disorder that causes multiple joint contractures at birth).
Some physical malformations associated with Edwards syndrome include: a small head (microcephaly) accompanied by a prominent back portion of the head (occiput), low-set, malformed ears, abnormally small jaw (micrognathia), cleft lip/cleft palate, upturned nose, narrow eyelid folds (palpebral fissures), widely-spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism), drooping of the upper eyelids (ptosis), a short breast bone, clenched hands, underdeveloped thumbs and or nails, absent radius, webbing of the second and third toes, clubfoot or Rocker bottom feet, and undescended testicles in males.
In utero, the most common characteristic is cardiac anomalies, followed by central nervous system anomalies such as head shape abnormalities. The most common intracranial anomaly is the presence of choroid plexus cysts, which is a pocket of fluid on the brain that is not problematic in itself but may be a marker for Trisomy 18. Sometimes excess amniotic fluid or polyhydramnios is exhibited.
