Paediatric Genetics and Metabolism

Our multidisciplinary team, which includes paediatricians, dietitians and laboratory medicine professionals, will ensure comprehensive care for your child.

Head of Division & Senior Consultant

• Associate Professor Denise Goh Li Meng

Senior Consultants

• Associate Professor Stacey Tay
• Associate Professor Ng Kar Hui
• Adj Associate Professor Chin Hui-Lin

Genetic Counsellors

• Ms Chen Yanni
• Ms Shreya Surendra Shetty

Genetics

Led by: A/Prof Denise Goh, Dr Chin Hui-Lin 

Our team provides specialised care for individuals with genetic conditions or those at risk. Services include genetic counselling, evaluations and genetic testing to ascertain carrier status, prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis, and longitudinal care and treatment of children and some adults with genetic conditions. 

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Led by: A/Prof Denise Goh, Dr Chin Hui-Lin

Our team specialises in treating individuals and families affected by inborn errors of metabolism, which are rare individually but not uncommon as a group. Symptoms can manifest at any age, including adulthood, with an incidence rate of about 1 in 2,300 live births in Singapore. 

Our services include:

• Newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism
• Diagnostic testing for individuals suspected to have inborn errors of metabolism
• Management of individuals with inborn errors of metabolism
• Genetic counselling for families at risk for such conditions

Click here to find out more about inborn errors of metabolism.

Neurogenetics

Led by: A/Prof Stacey Tay

This service provides assessment and care for children and adults with suspected genetic neurological conditions. At this clinic, individuals will be concurrently evaluated by a senior paediatric neurologist and genetic specialist. Services include clinical evaluation, investigation that include genetic testing or other relevant tests and genetic counselling. We also provide treatment and management of individuals diagnosed with genetic neurological diseases.

Kidney Genetics

Led by: A/Prof Ng Kar Hui

This service assesses children and adults with suspected genetic kidney conditions or those at risk. Services include genetic counselling, evaluations and genetic testing to ascertain if an individual has a genetic kidney condition. We also provide treatment and management of children and adolescents with genetic kidney diseases.

This service excludes counselling and management related to pregnancy and preimplantation diagnosis.

Undiagnosed Case Service

We recognise that some individuals present with symptoms that do not match a known diagnosis. Our team, which includes a range of multidisciplinary professionals, is committed to assisting these individuals in finding a diagnosis.

For more information, click here.

Fetal Medicine Clinic

Led by: Dr Chin Hui-Lin, Dr Karen Lim 

The NUWoC Fetal Medicine Clinic provides specialised care for couples whose baby has been diagnosed with an abnormality, couples who face difficult decisions about their pregnancy due to medical reasons, or couples who require specialised genetic counselling due to risk of a genetic disorder.  

For more information, click here.

Genomic Assessment Centre

The NUHS Genomic Assessment Centre (GAC) supports the Ministry of Health’s strategy to enhance preventive care for individuals and their family through personaliszed medicine. At the GAC, patients can learn about selected genetic conditions, receive tailored genetic counselling and undergo genetic testing for eligible conditions from genetic counsellors.

For more information, click here.

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Patients are typically referred for: 

• Symptoms suggestive of a genetic disease, such as birth defects or persistent health issues
• Family history suggestive of possible genetic disease
• Verification of a genetic disease diagnosis
• Expert, comprehensive care for individuals with genetic diseases
• An abnormal foetus
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
  

Common conditions seen are:

• Chromosomal disorders such as Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, Turner Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, William Syndrome or Prader–Willi Syndrome, translocation carrier
• Single-gene disorders such as Neurofibromatosis 1, Marfan Syndrome, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, Haemophilia, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Fragile X or inborn errors of metabolism (e.g. citrin deficiency, urea cycle defect, amino acidopathy)
• Birth defects impacting the heart, brain, limbs, skeletal structure, growth or development
• Global developmental delays including autism
• Sensory impairments such as hearing loss or visual loss
• Abnormalities identified through newborn or genetic screening
• Genetic kidney disorders such as Alport syndrome
• Risk assessment for hereditary conditions, particularly in cases of abnormal foetal development, family history of genetic diseases or consanguinity
  

Laboratory Services

• Biochemical Genetics Testing
• Enzymes analysis
• Amino acid analysis
• Organic acid analysis
  

And more

Cytogenetic Testing

• Chromosomal analysis
• Fluorescent-in-situ hybridisation (FISH)
• Chromosomal microarray analysis
• Molecular Genetic Diagnostic Service
• Familial or targeted variant testing
• Comprehensive sequencing of a gene
• Deletion or duplication gene analysis
• Multigene panels
• Whole exome sequencing 
• Whole genome sequencing 

And more

You or your child will be evaluated by one of our paediatricians specialising in genetics and metabolic diseases, who will conduct a comprehensive review of his or her medical condition. Diagnosis and treatment will be tailored to the specific condition. Recommendations for further testing or genetic counselling will be provided as needed.

Here are some frequently asked questions on what you need to know before scheduling an appointment and what to expect during your visit.

1. Who should see a doctor who specialises in genetics? 

The following groups of individuals may require a genetic consultation: 

• Individuals with more than one birth defect
• Individuals who have global developmental delay or intellectual disability of unknown cause 
• Individuals who have autism spectrum disorder 
• Individuals who have multiple unexplained health problems (e.g. failure to grow, recurrent infections)
• Individuals at risk of a genetic condition  
• Individuals whom doctors suspect to have a genetic cause to their diseases, based on their clinical features and/or family history.
• Individuals who have someone in their family with a genetic condition 
• Ongoing pregnancy with a fetus with an abnormality identified on screening tests 
• Couples who are worried about having another child with a genetic condition 
• Children with cancer due to a suspected genetic cause 

For adults with cancer suspected to be due to a genetic cause, please visit the adult hereditary cancer clinic. 

2. Who needs to come for the appointment? 

The individual suspected of having a genetic disorder should come for the appointment. This allows the specialist to assess his/her condition and discuss the appropriate follow up. 

Parents or legal guardians must accompany patients under 21 years old to appointments. They can provide key details like family history, birth history, and developmental milestones to assist with diagnosis and treatment, and provide consent for genetic testing where required. 

Additionally, discussions regarding genetic tests may be complex and may involve costs. These may require input from the parents or legal guardian. 

3. What will happen at the genetics appointment? 

The specialist will assess the individual and discuss the possible diagnosis, options to proceed with genetic testing and appropriate investigations. 

The decision to undergo genetic testing can be complex with many considerations, including benefits and risks of testing, as well as implications of the results on the family and future generations. The discussion may also touch upon the potential impact on psychological well-being, insurance coverage and involvement of other family members. 

If an individual decides to proceed with genetic testing, it can usually be done on the same day as the appointment.  

4. How is genetic testing done? 

Genetic testing typically involves collecting a blood sample. Saliva or cheek swab or other tests may be ordered by the doctor as well.

5. I am an adult, why is my genetics appointment at a children’s clinic? 

Our specialists see patients at the Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI) clinic located at the National University Hospital. Although this is a children’s specialist clinic, the specialists also see adults who require evaluation for possible genetic conditions.

6. How do I make an appointment with a genetic specialist? 

Your doctor can refer you to the genetics clinic.  

Alternatively, you can also email [email protected]. 

7. Will my insurance be impacted by genetic testing?

This depends on many factors which the doctor or genetic counsellor will discuss with you during your appointment.

The Ministry of Health has also issued a moratorium for insurance underwriting.

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.