We treat a broad spectrum of gastroenterological conditions in children, including:
- Vomiting and colic in babies
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder
- Recurrent abdominal pain
- Constipation and soiling
- Gastritis including Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Food intolerance
- Feeding difficulties in children, including children with neurological and neuromuscular disorders
- Gut dysmotility
- Failure to thrive and faltering growth
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Malabsorption
- Eosinophilic oesophagitis and enteropathy
- Cyclical vomiting syndrome
Our care also encompasses liver and pancreatic disorders, including:
Acute liver failure
Chronic liver disease due to various conditions including biliary atresia, autoimmune liver disease (Autoimmune Hepatitis and Sclerosing Cholangitis), viral hepatitis and other chronic cholestatic disorders including Alagille Syndrome and Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC).
Metabolic liver diseases including Wilson's Disease, Glycogen Storage Disease, Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and other genetic disorders involving liver
End stage liver failure – Assessment for liver transplantation
Gallstones
Portah Hypertension and portal venous obstruction including children presenting with related gastrointestinal bleeding
Recurrent and chronic pancreatitis
Endoscopy ServicesOur division provides a full range of endoscopy services for diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal issues in children. Performed at the NUH Endoscopy Centre, these services provide paediatric patients with access to the latest diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy technologies.
An endoscope is a flexible tube with its own lens and light source. It can be passed through the mouth, or through the anus, such that the upper gastrointestinal tract (Oesophagoduodenoscopy or Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Endoscopy) or lower gastrointestinal tract (Ileo-colonoscopy) can be studied respectively.
Endoscopy is utilised for a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as recurrent abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea, suspected IBD, H. pylori Infection, gastrointestinal bleeding and malabsorption conditions.
Our therapeutic endoscopy capabilities include management of gastrointestinal bleeding to portal hypertension, employing techniques like endoscopic variceal band ligation and injection sclerotherapy. We also perform endoscopic retrieval of ingested foreign bodies from the upper gastrointestinal tractwhen required.
Paediatric endoscopies are performed routinely and in emergency settings, using intravenous moderate sedation overseen by paediatric intensivists for a safer and quicker recovery, avoiding the need for general anaesthesia.
24-hour Oesophageal pH Monitoring and Impedance StudiesThe pH-Impedance study is designed to evaluate for gastro-oesophageal reflux, particularly beneficial for children exhibiting atypical symptoms such as recurrent coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort and poor weight gain. It can also monitor the effectiveness of treatments when non-gastrointestinal symptoms predominate.
The Multi-channel Intra-luminal Impedance (MII) probe detects fluids, solids and air within the oesophagus, offering a more comprehensive analysis than simple pH monitoring alone by identifying both acidic and non-acidic reflux events.
During the pH-Impedance test, a slender, flexible tube is inserted nasally into the oesophagus, with one end secured to the face and the other positioned at the oesophagus’ lower end. A recording device attached to the probe captures test data over a 24-hour period. Parents are asked to maintain a diary of the child’s diet, sleep or any symptoms during the test. This inpatient study encourages maintaining normal dietary habits for accurate results.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) InsertionPEG insertion is a safe and efficient technique for placing a feeding tube directly into the stomach using endoscopic guidance. This procedure is ideal for children who have difficulty swallowing or require nutritional support. It can be performed under intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia, based on the child’s needs.
Liver BiopsyLiver biopsy involves extracting a small sample of liver tissue for microscopic examination and is usually performed percutaneously with intravenous sedation. Post-procedure, the child is closely monitored prior to discharge. This diagnostic step is crucial when other tests have not conclusively identified the cause of liver disease.
