A COMPREHENSIVE JOURNEY WITH US
AT MOUNT ALVERNIA HOSPITAL
At Mount Alvernia Hospital, we understand that embarking on the journey of parenthood is filled with both immense joy and moments of worry. When it comes to the health and wellbeing of our children, parents all want the very best.
Home to over 30 paediatric specialists across various subspecialties, we are ready to provide a comprehensive range of services. Whether it’s general paediatric care, urgent medical needs, or advanced specialty treatments, we are equipped to support every stage of your child’s journey.
From consultations at our 24-hr Urgent Care Centre to managing childhood illnesses, diet and nutrition, we strive to provide a seamless and supportive experience. With this comprehensive range of services, encompassing everything from routine vaccinations to specialised treatments, we ensure your children receive the best possible care under one roof.
Paediatric Specialties at Mount Alvernia Hospital
The field of paediatric medicine is not just about treating a condition; it encompasses a diverse range of specialties and subspecialties, each focusing on specific areas of child health. At Mount Alvernia Hospital, we understand that these distinct areas are crucial for parents and caregivers alike in ensuring that children receive the best possible care and treatments.
Paediatric Medicine
At the heart of paediatric care is general paediatrics. General paediatricians are the primary physicians for children, providing routine check-ups, vaccinations, and managing common childhood illnesses. They act as the first point of contact for health concerns and often coordinate care across different specialties when needed.
Specialised Care
When a child's health concerns require more focused attention, a range of subspecialties within paediatrics come into play. These subspecialties offer expertise in specific organ systems, diseases, or health challenges:
This specialty tackles conditions related to the immune system, including allergies (food, environmental, medication), immunological disorders (like immunodeficiencies), and rheumatological issues (autoimmune diseases affecting joints.
Paediatric cardiology focuses on diseases of the heart and blood vessels in children, including congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, and acquired heart conditions. This specialty relies on advanced diagnostic imaging and, in some cases, surgical intervention.
This subspecialty deals with the digestive system, addressing issues such as feeding difficulties, abdominal pain, liver diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease in children.
Here, specialists focus on blood disorders (haematology) like anemia and hemophilia, and cancers (oncology) that affect children, including leukemia and lymphoma. Treatment often involves chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplant.
The intensive care subspecialty provides critical care for seriously ill children requiring constant monitoring and life support. These specialists are skilled in managing complex medical and surgical emergencies.
This specialty provides care for newborns, especially premature infants and those with medical complications immediately after birth. Neonatologistsmanage intricate issues within neonatal intensive care units.
Paediatric neurology deals with disorders of the nervous system, including seizures, developmental delays, headaches, and neuromuscular conditions. This involves extensive diagnostic testing and tailored treatment plans.
As mentioned previously, this focuses on autoimmune and inflammatory conditions affecting joints, connective tissues, and other systems. While sometimes grouped with Allergy & Immunology, it can also stand alone as a distinct specialty.
This specialty addresses skin conditions common in children, such as eczema, acne, birthmarks, and infections. Paediatric dermatologists are trained to recognise and treat the specific dermatological concerns of children.
Paediatric dentistry focuses on the oral health of children, from infancy through adolescence. Services include preventative care, treatment of cavities, and management of dental abnormalities.
Paediatric ophthalmology focuses on eye health in children, including vision problems, eye diseases, and strabismus (misaligned eyes). These specialists diagnose and treat eye conditions that can impact a child's development.
Paediatric orthopaedic specialists deal with musculoskeletal issues in children, including fractures, deformities, and congenital conditions. They provide both surgical and non-surgical interventions.
This specialty, also known as ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat), focuses on diseases of these three areas in children, including ear infections, tonsillitis, and nasal obstruction.
This subspecialty deals with diseases affecting blood vessels in children and is crucial for managing conditions like vascular malformations and related complications.
General paediatric surgery encompasses a wide range of surgical procedures needed for children, addressing everything from appendicitis to hernias and congenital abnormalities. Plastic surgery is also available for necessary reconstruction.
A Collaborative Approach to Child Health
The breadth of paediatric specialties and subspecialties highlights the complexity of caring for children. Each specialised area plays a crucial role, often working collaboratively to provide the best possible outcome for young patients. Understanding these distinct focuses helps parents and caregivers understand the healthcare system and ensures children receive the specialised care they need throughout their growth and development. When seeking care, it’s vital to communicate openly with your child's primary care physician, who can guide you to the appropriate specialist when necessary.
Navigating Childhood: Understanding Common Conditions in Children
Navigating childhood is a journey of first steps, giggles, and unforgettable moments—but it also comes with sniffles, coughs, and worries. While every child is unique, some common childhood conditions frequently surface at home and in schools. Being aware of them helps us stay prepared and respond appropriately. Here are some of the common childhood conditions:
Infectious Illnesses:
- The Common Cold: A classic, often marked by a runny nose, sneezing, and mild fever.
- Influenza (Flu): Characterised by more severe symptoms including high fever, body aches, and fatigue.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD): Often seen in younger children, presenting as fever, sore throat, and blisters on hands, feet, and mouth.
- Chickenpox: An itchy rash of small, fluid-filled blisters, accompanied by fever.
- Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu): Leading to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Redness and inflammation of the eye accompanied by discharge.
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis): A very contagious respiratory tract infection with a characteristic 'whooping' cough.
Respiratory Conditions:
- Bronchiolitis:A common respiratory infection in young children, typically affecting the small airways.
- Asthma:A chronic condition causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Skin Conditions:
- Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis):An itchy, dry skin condition often exacerbated by allergens.
- Heat Rash:Small bumps on the skin caused by blocked sweat ducts.
Other Common Conditions:
- Fever:Often a sign of infection and needs careful monitoring.
- Ear Infections:Common during childhood, causing ear pain and sometimes fever.
- Allergies:Reactions to food, pollen, dust, and other allergens, causing a range of symptoms.
- Constipation:Difficulty passing stools, sometimes causing discomfort.
- Anaemia: A deficiency in red blood cells, leading to fatigue.
Developmental Issues:
- Speech Delays:Delays in language and communication.
- Learning Difficulties:Challenges with reading, writing, or mathematics.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):Characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
This list covers some of the most commonly encountered childhood conditions, but each child’s health journey is unique. Early recognition and timely medical intervention play a crucial role in managing these conditions effectively. If you have concerns about your child’s symptoms or overall well-being, consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Toddler Nutrition
Toddlers are learning to feed themselves and to eat new foods. They should eat a variety of foods from all of the food groups.
Healthy food choices
My Healthy Plate is a guideline to help you and your child eat a healthy diet.as well as eat a variety of foods. It also encourages the right amount of calories and fat.
Fussy Eaters
If meal time dramas are a common sight in your household, you are not alone. Getting used to meal times, trying new foods, adjusting to unfamiliar textures and flavours is unsettling for many children, especially toddlers. At the same time, preparing meals that are left uneaten and constantly having to cajole the picky one to take even one bite can be stressful for parents and caregivers.
Here are some tips to help parents coax fussy eaters:
- Let him be the bossAsk your kid what he wants to eat. At your next grocery shopping trip, let him take over the trolley and have a say in picking out new things that he is keen to try. If he chooses it, he will at least take a bite.
- Make it funGet him involved in the preparation of the food. Have fun together cutting up the vegetables or fruits into different shapes and sizes. Combine different food with bright colours and make the dish “interesting to eat”.
- Mix it upIf he shuns the dish once he notices a particular ingredient, try a different way of cooking. Some alternatives include pureeing or mashing and mixing it together with porridge or other types of his favourite food.
- Encourage, not punishLoad up the praises when he eats well or tries out new food. Even if he rejects it for the first time, do not lash out. Instead, try again a week later and do so in small portions.
- Adopt a routineKids crave familiarity. Plan regular mealtimes and keep to small but frequent meals with snacks in between to supplement their main diet. Examples of healthy snacks include milk, soy bean milk, cheese, fruits, fruit juices, pudding and yoghurt.
Preventing Childhood Obesity
Too little activity and too many calories from food and drinks are the main contributors to childhood obesity.
- DietRegularly eating high-calorie foods, such as fast foods, baked goods and vending machine snacks, can easily cause your child to gain weight. Candy and desserts also can cause weight gain, and more and more evidence points to sugary drinks, including fruit juices, as culprits in obesity in some people.
- Exercise Children who don’t exercise much are more likely to gain weight because they don’t burn as many calories. Too much time spent in sedentary activities, such as watching television or playing video games, spending time on electronic devices also contributes to the problem.
- EnvironmentThis is true in an environment where physical activity isn’t encouraged coupled with regular consumption of calorific diets or convenience foods (eg crackers, frozen meals etc) could influence children’s choice of food.
- StressThis can increase a child’s risk of obesity. Some children overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions, such as stress, or to fight boredom.
- Genetic and hormonal factors These play a significant role in childhood obesity, influencing metabolism, fat storage, and appetite regulation, often making some children more predisposed to gaining weight than others.
Winning at Weaning
A confident start to weaning can encourage good eating habits throughout childhood. In this day and age with the amount of information in the media, commencing solids can be an overwhelming experience for parents. Come and learn with our qualified dietitians as we navigate the exciting journey of starting solids with interactive activities for participants to get hands-on experience.
Who is it for?
Parents, family members and caregivers with infants who are thinking of or already have commenced solids.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?
- The what, why, how of introducing solids
- What are the 8 major allergens
- Suitable foods for baby-led weaning
- Traditional progression of food textures
- Appropriate portions for the different stages of weaning
- Gadgets for blending
- Techniques for spoon feeding, cup drinking and straw drinking
Learn more about our Weaning Workshop
For more information and/or appointments:
Nutrition & Dietetics Department
Call:+65 63476702
Email:[email protected]
Operating hours:
Mon to Fri:9am to 5.30pm
Sat:9am-1pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays