Paediatric Endocrinology

2024/05/14

The Division of Paediatric Endocrinology comprises paediatricians, paediatric nurses and dietitians, all of whom are trained to care for children and adolescents experiencing growth or hormonal issues. The endocrine system, comprising various glands, is crucial for producing hormones that are essential for healthy growth, pubertal development and overall well-being in children. Our multidisciplinary paediatric endocrine team provides comprehensive diagnosis and management for a range of endocrine gland disorders, including growth and hormonal imbalances in infants, children and adolescents.

We welcome referrals from polyclinics, school health services, general practitioners (GPs) and other medical professionals. Additionally, private and international patients have the option to self-refer or to be referred by their doctor.

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Our Team

Our team of senior paediatricians within the Division of Paediatric Endocrinology has trained many generations of paediatricians specialising in endocrinology in Singapore. We also provide training to doctors from regional countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Brunei. Many of our trainees have successfully established paediatric endocrine services in their respective home countries.

Furthermore, we are actively engaged in both clinical and translational research. This aligns with our philosophy of bringing scientific discoveries from bench to bedside, benefitting our patients while ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the latest developments and treatments in paediatric endocrinology.

Head of Division & Senior Consultant

Associate Professor Loke Kah Yin

Senior Consultant

Consultants

Visiting Consultant

Dr Goh Siok Ying

Diabetes Specialty Nurse

Nurse Clinician Annette Su
Senior Staff Nurse Yang Xiuji

Endocrine Specialty Nurse

Assistant Nurse Clinician Vanerry Tay Leiqiu

Our Services

Range of Services

A. Regional Paediatric Services

Our team welcomes referrals for a wide range of specialised services for children and adolescents with hormonal conditions, including:

Child and Adolescent Diabetes:

Screening for children and adolescents who are at risk of developing diabetes.
Management of all types of childhood and adolescent diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus and maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) with up-to-date medications.
Insulin pump therapy for suitable patients.
Formal transition diabetes clinics to ensure seamless transition to the adult endocrinologists specialising in diabetes when the time is right.
Comprehensive diabetes education and counselling, including chronic care management workshops for diabetic children, adolescents and their parents.

Growth issues: Assess and manage children with short or tall stature, providing individualised therapy.

Pubertal issues: Manage delayed and precocious (early) puberty.

Thyroid issues: Manage the whole spectrum of thyroid disorders affecting neonates, children or adolescents, including Congenital or Acquired Hypothyroidism, Autoimmune Thyroiditis and Hyperthyroidism (Graves' Disease).

Disorders of Sex Development and Genital Ambiguity: Comprehensive assessment for the Disorders of Sex Development at our regional referral centre for the past 30 years.

Adrenal issues: Manage disorders including Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia and Cushing Syndrome.

Obesity: Multidisciplinary weight management clinic to help children who are overweight and manage complications related to the metabolic syndrome, including hypertension, lipid disorders and fatty liver disease.

Bone problems: Assess and manage disorders of bone mineralisation including Osteogenesis Imperfecta, juvenile and secondary osteoporosis.

Cancer late effects and fertility preservation: Specialist clinics screening and managing the growth and hormonal disorders for patients who have undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer

Our team also offers the full compendium of services which include management of the following:

Calcium disorders including Hypocalcaemia, Hypercalcaemia and Rickets
Pituitary disorders including Panhypopituitarism and Central Diabetes Insipidus which require pituitary hormone replacement
Disorders of hyperinsulinism and hypoglycaemia
Endocrine tumours of the pituitary gland, thyroid and parathyroid gland, adrenal gland and pheochromocytoma

B. Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing for Children with Endocrine Issues

Our specialist team of doctors and nurses conducts essential endocrine diagnostic tests, ensuring close supervision of children or adolescents throughout these procedures:

Dynamic stimulation tests of endocrine deficiency
Hormonal suppression tests of endocrine hypersecretion
Water deprivation test

Paediatric Endocrine Clinics

General Paediatric Endocrinology Clinic

We specialise in the care of children and adolescents with growth and pubertal concerns, as well as thyroid, pituitary and adrenal disorders. We perform a range of dynamic stimulation tests to diagnose and assess these conditions. These include:

Exercise growth hormone stimulation tests
Insulin or glucagon growth hormone stimulation tests
Synacthen stimulation tests, Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulation tests for cases of precocious puberty
Dexamethasone suppression tests to diagnose Cushing syndrome

For hormonal deficiencies, we offer a variety of treatments tailored to each patient’s needs, such as:

Male hormone replacement therapy for hypogonadism
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues for central precocious puberty
Growth hormone therapy for conditions such as growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, chronic renal failure, Prader-Willi syndrome, as well as for children who are small for gestational age or those with idiopathic short stature

Children and Adolescent Diabetes Clinic

Our clinic offers comprehensive care for children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus, including Type 1, Type 2, MODY, drug-induced and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. Our team consists of paediatricians specialising in diabetes, dietitians and diabetes nurse educators, working together to deliver a holistic and family-centred approach to treatment.

Late Effects Clinic

Advancements in childhood cancer treatments have led to an increasing number of survivors experiencing endocrine complications from their treatments. Our Late Effects Clinic addresses the hormonal issues faced by survivors of childhood cancers, including those who have undergone cranial irradiation and chemotherapy.

Transition Clinic

We facilitate a smooth transition for adolescents with chronic endocrine issues, including diabetes mellitus, to adult care. Adolescents are introduced to an adult endocrinologist at NUH upon reaching adulthood, ensuring continuity of care.

Youth Lifestyle Change Clinic (Weight Management Clinic)

Our multidisciplinary weight management team consists of paediatricians specialising in endocrine disorders in children, a dietitian, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist and a nurse clinician. Coordinated by a paediatrician, our clinic offers monitoring and treatment of obesity-related complications, personalised dietary plans, motivational support and exercise guidance. Together with the child and family, we aim to address obesity, improve quality of life and prevent obesity-related complications.

Programmes for Children and Adolescents with Diabetes

Our division hosts an annual renal-diabetes camp for children and teenagers living with diabetes. Additionally, we organise a day camp annually for children with diabetes. These events are designed to foster a sense of community and support among the children, allowing them to share experiences and strategies for managing their condition with peers facing similar challenges.

At these camps, younger children gain independence by learning to administer their insulin injections, while teenagers connect with others who are successfully managing their diabetes, offering mutual emotional support. The camps encourages the participants to maintain a positive mindset and emphasises the importance of diligent diabetes management in preventing long-term complications such as diabetic nephropathy.
We have developed the Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme (CDSMP), featuring group-based workshops that address the challenges faced by teenagers with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The programme empowers these young individuals with the skills to make informed decisions about important aspects of their lives, including diet, exercise and communication with family and friends. Additionally, the programme equips them with strategies to navigate the emotional and physical challenges of living with a chronic condition, such as fatigue, frustration, pain and feelings of isolation.

Diabetes Nurse Educators:
- Nurse Clinician Annette Su
  - [email protected]
- Senior Staff Nurse Yang Xiuji
  - [email protected]

What To Expect At Your First Appointment

At your first appointment, your child will be evaluated by a paediatrician specialising in endocrine disorders in children, who will conduct a comprehensive review of your child’s medical condition. If necessary, investigations including dynamic endocrine function tests may be scheduled.

Follow-up appointments will involve a detailed discussion of the findings with the family. The paediatrician will present a diagnosis, as well as tailored recommendations for managing the condition.

Health Resources

Influenza Vaccine for Children with Diabetes (PDF, 323 KB)

Find Us

Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute

For directions to the Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, including access via MRT, drop-off points and parking information, click here.
For more information on our paediatric clinic or contact details, click here.
To make an appointment online, click here.