Multiple pregnancies: Risks and care for mother and babies

本地每十个新生儿有早产儿 趋势过去五年维持不变 (One in ten newborns is born prematurely in Singapore, and the trend has remained unchanged in the past five years)

​Channel 8 featured Dr Yvonne Ng, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, KTP-NUCMI, NUH, and Ms Wang Xia, Nurse Clinician, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NUH. They shared how NUH is taking proactive measures to support premature babies and their families, including the recruitment of a family support specialist who provides emotional and psychological support to parents, as well as the NUH Home Equipment Loan Programme (HELP) that allows families to take home medical equipment free of charge, easing the recovery process and reducing expenses.

Impact of pregnancy COVID-19 shot on maternal & infant health – A new JAMA study reveals

Dr Low Jia Ming, Associate Consultant, Department of Neonatology, KTP-NUCMI, NUH, said scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Article also mentioned that experts recommend that pregnant women also receive the Tdap shot, as well as vaccines against influenza.

COVID-19 jab while pregnant cuts baby’s risk of death by about 80 per cent: Study

​Dr Low Jia Ming, Associate Consultant, Department of Neonatology, KTP-NUCMI, NUH, said there is solid scientific evidence that the benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy far outweigh the risks. A/Prof Citra Mattar, Senior Consultant, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NUH, said most vaccinated pregnant women develop a high level of protective antibodies that are transferred efficiently to the baby before birth.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for kids? Experts answer common questions from sceptical parents

​A survey conducted by paediatricians from KTP-NUCMI at NUH showed that among 628 parents in Singapore, two-thirds of them were not vaccine hesitant. 

1 in 3 parents hesitant to get child vaccinated against COVID-19: Study

​A study from a team of paediatricians from KTP-NUCMI found that about one-third of parents in Singapore are hesitant about getting their children vaccinated against COVID-19, and the most significant factor influencing parents’ decision to inoculate their children was trust in their doctor. The survey involved 628 parents between the ages of 32 and 45, and was conducted between November 2021 and March 2022.

One in three parents in Singapore hesitant to get children vaccinated against COVID-19: Study

​A study from a team of paediatricians from KTP-NUCMI found that about one-third of parents in Singapore are hesitant about getting their children vaccinated against COVID-19, and the most significant factor influencing parents’ decision to inoculate their children was trust in their doctor. The survey involved 628 parents between the ages of 32 and 45, and was conducted between November 2021 and March 2022.

Dr Low Jia Ming, Associate Consultant, Department of Neonatology, KTP-NUCMI, said that healthcare groups can speak with parents during consultations and opportune moments to address any concern that they have.

NUHS gives out awards to 80 medical staff, administrators at biennial event

​Extensive coverage of the National University Health System Tribute Awards highlighted that 80 awards were presented to National University Health System staff for their contributions to National University Health System and the healthcare system. Reports highlighted that Minister Ong Ye Kung presented one of the National University Health System Awards to Prof Lim Pin, for his significant contributions to Singapore healthcare. Prof Lim was a pioneer and the first Singaporean to publish papers in the British Medical Journal, the Quarterly Journal of Medicine and the New England Journal of Medicine, and had been the Deputy Chairman of the Economic Development Board from 1995 to 2000, and the Chairman of National Wages Council. Reports also noted the National University Health System Award was also presented to former Chief Executive of National University Health System, Prof John Wong Eu-Li, former Ministry of Health, Director of Medical Services (DMS), Prof K Satku, and National University of Singapore, Senior Vice President (Health Education & Resources) and former Ministry of Health, DMS A/Prof Benjamin Ong. Some 76 National University Health System staff received the National University Health System-Mochtar Riady Pinnacle Awards, and 14 clinicians received the honorary title of Emeritus Consultant.

Straits Times and other media also highlighted that baby Kwek Yu Xuan, who was discharged from National University Hospital last year as the world's smallest baby at birth, no longer requires the ventilator and is a mostly healthy and happy child. Her care team at the Department of Neonatology received the National University Health System-Mochtar Riady Pinnacle Award (Team Award) for their achievements in premature baby care. 

Dr Yvonne Ng, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital said her team follows up with the baby's growth and development as well as with the parents on how to cope with caring for her at home.

 In addition, A/Prof Zubair Amin, Head and Senior Consultant at the Department of Neonatology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, also received the Master Clinician Award. Berita Harian featured A/Prof Zubair who shared that it is the collaboration and contribution of all parties including the baby's parents, which ensured the baby's well-being was taken care of in the hospital, at home and during follow-up treatment.

• The Straits Times, 13 August 2022, Page B4, Baby born 4 months early is now a healthy 2-year-old
  
• Lianhe Zaobao, 13 August 2022, Page 7, 86岁高龄仍执教 林彬贡献巨大获国大医学组织最高荣誉 (Prof Lim Pin, still teaching at age 86, receives highest honour from NUHS institution for his significant contributions)
  
• Shin Min Daily News, 13 August 2022, Page 9, 贡献巨大 86岁仍执教 林彬获颁国大医学组织最高荣誉 (Lim Pin receives the highest honour from NUHS after making remarkable contributions; still teaching at 86)
  
• The New Paper, 12 August 2022, Premature baby, born weighing only 212g, now healthy and happy two-year-old
  
• Berita Harian, 13 August 2022, Pages 1 and 6, Jasa pakar jagaan bayi pramatang diiktiraf (Expert's contribution in caring for premature babies recognised)
  
• Berita Harian, 13 August 2022, Page 6, COVID-19 dorong sistem kesihatan cari cara lebih baik: Ye Kung (COVID-19 pushes health system to find better ways)
  
• 8world Mediacorp, 12 August 2022, 国立大学医学组织颁发贡献奖 表彰80名杰出医疗工作者 (NUHS honoured 80 outstanding medical workers with Tribute Award) 
  
• 8world Mediacorp,13 August 2022, 出生时仅212克 全球最轻早产儿茁壮成长已两岁 (Born at 212 grams, the world's lightest premature baby is thriving at two years old)
  
• Berita Mediacorp, 12 August 2022, Pasukan penjagaan bayi pramatang antara 80 kakitangan diiktiraf NUHS (Premature baby care team is part of the 80 staff recognised by NUHS)
  

Keep baby safe with bottle sterilisers

​The Sunday Times examined the safety of baby milk bottle steriliser methods with the help of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Lecturer Dr Ch'ng Junhong, who led the lab tests, said that washing baby bottles with soap and water is an important step as scrubbing is needed to dislodge clusters of bacteria.

Dr Lee Le Ye, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital shared that there are studies that suggest there could be disadvantages to having an excessive clean environment. She recommended using the items within 12 hours of sterilisation as bacteria can regrow after exposure for some time.

• The Straits Times Online, 6 March 2022, To The Test: Keep baby safe with bottle sterilisers

The complete guide to COVID-19 and pregnancy: Women’s top 23 questions answered

​CNA Women cited comments by Prof Zubair Amin, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology and Dr Yvonne Ng, Clinical Director and Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, and Ms Doris Fok, certified lactation consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, on what women should know if they are infected with COVID-19 while pregnant or nursing a baby.

 Dr Ng shared that it is not necessary for a mother and her baby to be separated if she is COVID-19 positive at delivery, as it is dependent on the mother's as well as the baby's condition. She explained that breast milk from a mother with COVID-19 infection or who has recovered contains specific antibodies that can inactivate the virus. Ms Fok recommended hospital breastfeeding support helplines or community breastfeeding helplines for additional breastfeeding help after hospital discharge.

Commentary: Parental concerns brewing ahead of approval for COVID-19 vaccinations for kids under 12

​Dr Lee Le Ye, Senior Consultant, Department of Neonatology, Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI), National University Hospital and Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, contributed a commentary article on the considerations that parents would have when it comes to vaccinating children aged five to 11. Dr Lee highlighted that parents would need to weigh the risks and benefits of the vaccine and consider vaccinating vulnerable children first as part of a cocoon strategy.

World’s smallest baby discharged after 13 months

​When Kwek Yu Xuan was born on June 9 last year at National University Hospital (NUH), her weight – 212g – was about that of an apple. She was born about four months early, and doctors had expected her weight to be at least 400g. After a 13-month stay in hospital, she was discharged on July 9, and is believed to be the world’s tiniest baby to survive a premature birth. When she was first wheeled into the neonatal intensive care unit, Ms Zhang Suhe, an advanced practice nurse at the department of neonatology at NUH, could not believe her eyes.

Tuesday Report – One Metre Apart （星期二特写：一米的距离）

Dedicated to the frontline healthcare workers battling Covid-19 pandemic, episode 3 of the One Metre Apart docuseries featured NUH’s longest staying patient, Mdm Choy Wai Chee, and her care team including Dr Ramanathan K.R. and Dr Winn Maung Maung Aye from the Department of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, NUHCS; and Dr See Kay Choong, Head and Senior Consultant from the Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, NUH.
 
The documentary also featured A/Prof Zubair Amin, Head and Senior Consultant at the Department of Neonatology and Dr Maleena Suppiah, Senior Assistant Director, Clinical Education Office, NTFGH, who volunteered to provide medical care for the migrant workers at the dormitories under the care of NUHS. SSN Shelly Kia from the NUH isolation wards was featured as one of the frontliners, who spent many of her working hours caring for people who are suspected to have Covid-19.

国大医学组织发起爱心活动 协助寻找必需品为养病客工解忧 (NUHS spearheads care initiatives, seeking essential items to relieve the woes of migrant patients)

The news article highlighted Project CLOVE (Call to Love) as well as the Befrienders and Ambassadors for Inpatient (BAI) initiatives, noting that staff from NUHS had gone beyond the call of duty and launched several ground-up initiatives aimed at providing migrant patients with essential items and emotional support.

The report featured Dr Chinnadurai Amutha, Consultant at the Department of Neonatology, NUH, who is one of the befrienders under the BAI initiative helping to interact and address migrant patients’ concerns in their native language.

Dr Benjamin Tan, Senior Resident at the NUH Division of Neurology and Dr Germaine Liu, Senior Resident at the NUH Division of Geriatric Medicine, who were among the group of doctors who kick-started Project CLOVE, shared that the initiative seeks to provide migrant workers with amenities, translation of patient education material and emotional support throughout their stay in the hospital and beyond. 

New painless jaundice test for newborns in polyclinics

​Newborns who are two weeks old or younger with jaundice are now tested at the National University Polyclinics (NUP) using Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TcB) measurement – a non-invasive and painless jaundice screening method. Blood tests through heel pricks would no longer be necessary for most of these babies, saving them much discomfort and reducing parents’ stress and anxiety. Time taken for the TcB measurement is also much shorter. This TcB initiative is a collaboration with NUH’s Department of Neonatology, which has been using TcB measurements since 2010.

• The Straits Times, 8 August 2018, Page B4
• Lianhe Zaobao, 8 August 2018, Page 9
• The New Paper, 8 August 2018, Page 8