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Indonesia to investigate cases of fatal kidney injury in children

Health officials said that Indonesia would investigate cases of severe kidney injury in its capital Jakarta this year, which caused the death of more than 20 children on Wednesday.

The investigation comes as officials in The Gambia said nearly 70 children died of severe kidney injuries after consuming a locally sold paracetamol syrup used to treat fever.

Indonesia will coordinate with World Health Organization (WHO) investigators who have found “unacceptable” levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be toxic, in four products made by New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indonesia’s drug regulator (BPOM) said in a statement that the syrups were not registered in the country.

Health ministry spokesman Mohamed Sayaril told Reuters that 131 cases of severe kidney injury had been reported nationwide since January, citing data from the country’s Pediatric Association (IDAI). He said the total number of deaths nationwide was still to be determined.

Sayhril said the cases in The Gambia are not related to Indonesia.

Separately, the Jakarta Health Agency said that 31 cases had been reported in the city since January, of which 68% are fatal.

The health ministry said it was talking to experts investigating the case in The Gambia and that it had formed a team with IDAI and a hospital in Jakarta to look into the matter.

The health ministry said preliminary findings indicate possible intoxication due to the disease, but no definite cause has yet been found. The ministry said that more research is still needed.

The health ministry said preliminary findings indicate possible intoxication due to the disease, but no definite cause has yet been found. The ministry said that more research is still needed.

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