14th Wong Hock Boon Paediatric Masterclass

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• NUH Paediatrics (KTP-NUCMI) or Obstetrics & Gynaecology staff
• Medical or nursing students

Former fellows of NUH Paediatrics, please note:

1. Before making your payment, please provide email proof of your working period in NUH Paediatrics. Send the proof to nuwoc_comms@nuhs.edu.sg. Once you receive a confirmation email from us, you may proceed with the payment.
2. If you have already made the payment but unable to provide the required proof, an additional payment will be required to cover the difference.  

REGISTRATION FEES (SGD)

Registration closes on 14 August 2025.

Terms and conditions:

• Please note that registration fee is non-refundable but can be transferred to another healthcare professional.
• Ensure you select the correct category before confirming your payment. Bank exchange rates apply for international applicants. CME/CPE points will be awarded to participants for their attendance.

For more enquiries, email nuwoc_comms@nuhs.edu.sg

PROGRAMME

Pre-Masterclass: Healthy Gut, Healthy Start – Primer In Nutrition, Feeding And The Microbiome

14th Wong Hock Boon Paediatric Masterclass

SPEAKERS

Prof Lee Yung Seng Head, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital Prof Lee Yung Seng is a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, NUS and a senior consultant paediatrician in the paediatric endocrine service, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children's Medical Institute, NUH. His main research focus is childhood obesity, and one of his research approach to elucidate the biological susceptibility to human obesity and related morbidities is the study of In-utero and early life developmental factors through the GUSTO birth cohort. In the recent years, Prof Lee has focused his efforts on developing programmes and strategies to advance child and maternal health, promoting healthy living for families, and improving health equity through his leadership role as the Co-Director of the National University Centre for Women and Children. Synopsis: Obesity and diabetes are on the rise in Singapore, which can lead to complications such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure.  In the last 2 decades, there is increasing evidence that early life experiences in-utero and early childhood can have lasting impact on subsequent health and disease risk later in life.  Ove the last 15 years, the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) birth cohort has provided such valuable insights which has changed clinical practise and inform national policies and helped us promote good health for our next generation.  Prevention is better than cure, and it is best to start our preventive efforts as early as possible, starting from the pregnancy.

Prof Sirinuch Chomtho Professor in Paediatrics, Head of Nutrition Division and Center of Excellence in Paediatric Nutrition, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Prof Sirinuch Chomtho is a Professor in Pediatrics at Chulalongkorn University. She is the head of Division of Nutrition and the Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. Her research interests include the effects of early nutrition on long-term health, breastfeeding medicine, obesity, inherited metabolic disorders and the ketogenic diet. She is currently a scientific committee of the Pediatric Nutrition Association of Thailand and the Asian Pan-Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology  Synopsis: The latest WHO guideline (2023) defines complementary feeding as ‘the process of providing foods in addition to milk when breast milk or milk formula are no longer adequate to meet nutritional requirement’. There are several reasons that complementary feeding is a pivotal process in infant growth and development: namely, meeting nutritional requirements, shaping food preference in later life, enhancing diversity of gut microbiota, and inducing oral tolerance. Regardless of timing, the optimal complementary foods should provide sufficient energy, protein, and micronutrients (iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins) to meet a growing child’s nutritional needs while they should not deliver excessive calories and protein especially where obesity is a concern along with undernutrition. Dietary diversity and the safe handling of complementary foods are also equally important. This lecture will focus on the long-term health impact of complementary feeding where double or triple burden of malnutrition is prevalent.

Dr Nicholas Ng Consultant, Division Of Paediatric Endocrinology, National University Hospital Dr Nicholas is a consultant in the Paediatric Endocrinology division at NUH. His clinical and research interests are in paediatric obesity, in which he has published numerous peer-reviewed articles. He is the Asia Pacific representative for the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) Childhood Obesity Workgroup and has been actively contributing to international childhood obesity guidelines. He also contributed to the international consensus statement on paediatric MAFLD that was recently published. Nicholas currently serves as the Programme Director of the NUHS Paediatric Residency Programme. Synopsis: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease with complex aetiology involving interactions among genetic, epigenetic, microbiota, environmental, endocrine, psychological, and socio-economic factors. Understanding the key risk factors driving childhood and adolescent obesity is essential for the prevention and management of this condition. In this session, the speaker will discuss the role of gut dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of childhood obesity, summarize the scientific evidence behind popular dietary modifications that have been recommended for the management of obesity, and provide an overview of novel pharmacological therapies for the treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity.

Prof Lee Way Seah MSEF Chair Professor in Medicine and Professor in Paediatrics, M Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia Professor Lee Way Seah is MSEF Chair Professor in Medicine and Senior Professor in Paediatrics at University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR). He is a paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist as well as educator and has trained more than 20 paediatric GI fellows from Malaysia and overseas. He edited 4 textbooks in general paediatrics and paediatric gastroenterology/hepatology. He is the President of Asia Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (APSPGHAN) and Founding President of Malaysian Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (MySPGHAN). Synopsis: A therapeutic diet refers to a modified eating plan prescribed by a physician and planned by a dietitian to manage a specific medical condition or meeting specific nutritional needs. It controls specific nutrients and foods to meet a child’s needs, taking into consideration of factors such as age, medical condition, growth requirement and nutritional needs. It may potentially involve modifying macronutrients, micronutrients, or even texture. Examples of therapeutic diets in children include lactose-free, gluten-free, and ketogenic diets, allergen-free diet, high-protein/high-high caloric diet, and other diets for specific inherited metabolic conditions. It's crucial to follow the prescribed diet under medical guidance. Close monitoring by an experienced dietitian is necessary to ensure adherence, safe, effective, and meet the individual’s needs are also important.

Prof Chiu Cheng-Hsun Professor, Department Of Paediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital And Chang Gung University, Taiwan Dr. Cheng-Hsun Chiu is a Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine in Taoyuan, Taiwan. He received his medical degree from the Chung Shan Medical University and a PhD from CGU. He completed a residency in CGMH, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Chiu’s research interests focus primarily on pediatric infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, vaccines, and microbiome research. Synopsis: The human gut microbiome, a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms within the gut, plays pivotal roles in health and disease. Unveiling the intricate relationships between these microbial communities is crucial for exploring mechanisms underlying human health. Our understanding of how the microbiome influences health and disease has been increasing through multi-omics studies, suggesting microbiome-based therapeutics such as fecal microbiota transplantation should be incorporated into “precision medicine” treatment options. Research estimates that the number of microbes in the intestinal flora is 10 times that of human cells (100 trillion). These microbes, numbering more than 1,000 species, play a key role in maintaining human health. When the intestinal flora is out of balance (dysbiosis), it will affect systemic diseases besides intestinal diseases through increased intestinal epithelial permeability (leaky gut), metabolites, immune reactions, neural effects of the gut-brain axis, and anti-allergic and inflammatory reactions of the gut-lung axis. These diseases include obesity, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. Understanding the broad extent to which host-microbiome associations are maintained across populations is revealing personalized host-microbiome phenotypes that can be integrated with other biomarkers to enhance their application in precision medicine. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advancements, we can now harness the power of the microbiome to revolutionize healthcare, emphasizing microbiome-gut approaches to promote holistic well-being while identifying areas of future research.

	A/Prof Marion Aw Head & Senior Consultant, Division Of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology And Liver Transplantation, National University Hospital A/Prof Marion Aw is Head of the Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation at the Department of Paediatrics, NUH. She has an interest in nutrition and feeding issues in children and is the clinical lead for the Interdisciplinary Feeding and Nutrition clinic at NUH. She currently serves on the Nutrition Subcommittee for the Asia-Pacific Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (APSPGHAN), is a member of the APSPGHAN Council and the secretary general of its executive committee. Synopsis: Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis – Implications For Disorders Of Gut-Brain Interaction The Rome criteria, in the past 2-3 decades, have defined a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms in children (such as dyspepsia, bloating, abdominal pain and constipation), as disorders of gastrointestinal function from a biopsychosocial perspective. As a diagnostic group, these conditions are generally challenging to manage and contribute to significant morbidity in patients and anxiety for families. There is now a growing body of evidence that the gut microbiota and its metabolites play a significant role in the bidirectional crosstalk between the brain and the gut, and that dysbiosis contributes to the pathogenesis of these symptoms through its impact on gut motility and/or low-grade inflammation. Uncovering the impact of this gut dysbiosis would shed light on potential therapeutic interventions for these patients. Picky Eating – More Than Meets The Eye Picky eating or fussy mealtime behaviours are one of the most common feeding related concerns that parents and caregivers have for their young children. When raised to primary healthcare providers, they are not uncommonly labelled as a phase the child will “grow out of”. However, the reason for these feeding difficulties can range from poor mealtime structure or inappropriate snacking to delayed feeding skills, oral-sensory issues as well as underlying organic medical conditions. Whilst the former may be dealt with by the primary care physician, the latter issues would require further evaluation and/or specialist intervention. This talk will use a case-based approach to illustrate the assessment and management of these children with picky eating.
	Prof Matthew Chang Provost’s Chair and Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School Of Medicine, National University Of Singapore   Prof Matthew Chang is the Executive Director of the National Centre for Engineering Biology, Singapore. He concurrently serves as the Director of the Singapore Consortium for Synthetic Biology, the Wilmar-NUS Corporate Laboratory, and the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation. He holds the Provost’s Chair and is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. Dr. Chang has made significant contributions to synthetic biology, authoring over 130 scholarly publications. His scientific achievements have been recognized with many accolades, including the National Research Foundation of Singapore’s Investigatorship Award, the NUHS-Mochtar Riady Pinnacle Research Excellence Award, the Presidential Award from the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Scientific and Technological Achievement Award. Beyond his research, Dr. Chang is a committed educator and advocate for synthetic biology. He has mentored over 100 students and researchers, many of whom now hold leadership positions in academia, government, and industry. He has delivered over 200 invited presentations at key scientific forums worldwide and serves in editorial roles for more than 15 leading scientific journals. He has held advisory roles in significant international research initiatives, including Australia’s CSIRO Synthetic Biology Future Science Platform, SynBio Africa, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. Dr. Chang co-founded the Global Biofoundry Alliance and the Asian Synthetic Biology Association and currently serves as Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Synthetic Biology.
	Dr. Chen Chieng Chang Associate Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan Dr Chen Chien-Chang, MD, is an attending physician in the center of Children medicine of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, who has been well trained and qualified with national licenses of Medicine.  Dr. Chen has conducted and participated in various research programs in the field of Children medicine, probiotics, gastroenterology and mucosal immunology. Clinically, he is a talented Doctor, who is an expert in treating patients with nutritional survey, gastroenterologic diseases with medicine and adjuvant therapy with probiotics. He had been honorably selected to join the research program of the Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital in Boston, USA.  Doctor Chen is currently a board member of the Committee of Ward Management of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and the member of the Committee of Taiwan Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Dr James Huang Senior Consultant, Division Of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology And Liver Transplantation, National University Hospital Dr James Huang is a senior consultant and Assistant Professor in the Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation. He completed his advanced paediatric gastroenterology fellowship training at the Hospital for Sick Children Toronto Canada and is the clinical lead for the Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Paediatric GI Endoscopy service. Synopsis: Gastrointestinal complaints in children, such as abdominal pain, colic and altered bowel habits, are one of the most frequent reasons parents seek healthcare consultation. There exist numerous products on the market, from probiotics to other digestive supplements, that profess to improve a child's gut health. Yet, the scientific evidence backing the appropriate use of such products is highly variable, leading to much confusion amongst parents and healthcare professionals alike. We aim to discuss a practical and evidence-based approach to common paediatric case scenarios in the clinic, and how to position the rational use of probiotics.

Dr Tammy Lim Consultant, Division of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics, National University Hospital Dr Tammy Lim is a consultant at the Child Development Unit, as well as, the Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, at the Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital. Dr Lim is part of the Paediatric Feeding and Nutrition Clinic team, which sees children with feeding and swallowing problems. She is passionate about helping families of children with feeding difficulties, particularly children on the autism spectrum. Synopsis: Feeding difficulties are common in early childhood. Many children experience transient ‘picky eating’ during this period and their challenges may resolve on their own without much intervention. Others, on the other hand, have feeding difficulties, which persist and require specialized care from an interdisciplinary feeding and nutrition clinic. In this workshop, we hope to share some basic strategies you may implement in your practice, and to also help you identify which cases will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach.

Dr Michelle Tan Senior Consultant, Division Of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Nutrition, Hepatology And Liver Transplantation, National University Hospital Dr Michelle Tan is a senior consultant in the division of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nutrition and Liver Transplantation team. In addition to general paediatric gastrointestinal diseases, Dr. Tan’s interests are in childhood nutrition, gut motility, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and feeding difficulties in children. She is part of the multidisciplinary team running the Feeding Clinic and Aerodigestive Clinic in NUH. She is also active in education and is a member of the paediatric residency core faculty programme. Synopsis: Potpourri Of Clinical Cases Feeding difficulties often co-exist in patients with complex medical conditions and these can be challenging to manage. Feeding problems may also be the initial presentation of a medical condition. Through the sharing of cases during my talk, I aim to share some insights to these problems and highlight the importance of a multi-disciplinary team in the management of these children. Paediatric Pearls: Prolonged Diarrhea – Updates On Workup And Management Prolonged diarrhoea with no discernible infectious aetiology warrants evaluation. I will review the approach to evaluation of diarrhoea with focus on aetiology, investigations and management. Further, diarrhoea can be classified as ‘watery’, ‘fatty’ and ‘bloody’ based on stool characteristics. Relevant history, physical examination findings, first and second-line investigations which help in differentiating the different types of diarrhoea will be discussed. Principles of management and recent advances in diagnostics and therapeutics of diarrhoea will also be highlighted in the talk.

A/Prof Mary Beth Son Clinical Chief of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Harvard Medical School A/Prof Mary Beth Son attended the University of Massachusetts Medical School and then completed internship, residency and chief residency in Paediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH), followed by fellowship in Paediatric Rheumatology at BCH. She is an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at Harvard Medical School. She is the Section Chief of Paediatric Rheumatology and Clinical Chief of the Division of Immunology at BCH. She pursues clinical research and has received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Heart Association and BCH to support her research interests, including outcomes in Kawasaki disease, childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus as well as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children. Synopsis: Kawasaki disease (KD) is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in high income countries. The goals of this talk include reviewing current theories of KD pathogenesis, risk factors for the development of coronary artery aneurysms, treatment options for primary intensification and rescue therapy for IVIG resistance, and the long term prognosis of Kawasaki Disease.

Dr Soh Jian Yi Senior Consultant, Division Of Paediatric Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, National University Hospital Dr Soh Jian Yi is a senior consultant in the Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children's Medical Institute. His main clinical interests are in eczema and food allergy, such as the food oral immunotherapy program in NUH. Synopsis: Dust mites play a central role in common allergies in Singapore. 'Sinus' is a common phrase used by lay-people to describe allergic rhinitis. When is allergic rhinitis more than an inconvenience? What is the significance of dust mites, in asthma? What are the subtle or unusual ways that dust mite cause problems, outside of the airways? This session will discuss the answers to these, and other common questions posed by patients and doctors about dust mites and allergies.

Dr Gayle Appleby Senior Resident Physician, Children’s Emergency, National University Hospital Dr Gayle Fleur Appleby MBBS, MRCPCH, MSc Med-Ed, is a Senior Resident Physician at National University Hospital (NUH). She works in Children’s Emergency (CE) and/or the Urgent Care Clinic (UCC). She completed her undergraduate degree at Imperial College, London, and general paediatric speciality training across South London. She is passionate about medical education, adolescent wellness and PaedsENGAGE. When not on shift Gayle is likely to be found reading or topping up her vitamin D by walking along the Rail Corridor. Synopsis: PaedsENGAGE is a national pilot programme, co-run by National University Hospital (NUH) and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), which works closely with General Practitioners (PaedsENGAGE GP Partners) to create a strong paediatric care support network and enable the right siting of care for patients. The talk draws upon the team’s experiences and aims to uphold three key programme facets: 1. Engagement: we hope this interactive session will keep you on the edge of your seats as we take you on a journey from kerbside consults to clinical conundrums and all that’s in-between! 2. Education: during and following the talk we hope to generate some educational take-away pearls. 3. Empowerment: generate confidence for you to manage future similar clinical cases.

Dr Chiong Yee Keow Head, Division of Community Family and Child Health, National University Centre for Women and Children, National University Health System Dr Chiong Yee Keow is a consultant paediatrician and is the inaugural Head of the Division of Community Family and Child Health at the National University Centre for Women and Children (NUWoC), which delves in upstream population health initiatives for families and children in the NUHS cluster. Her team collaborates with both international and local stakeholders to bridge the gap between the tertiary hospital, primary care, and the community to improve family and child health in the NUHS cluster. Synopsis: Paediatricians and GPs play a vital role beyond clinical care, influencing child health through community engagement and development. This session explores how primary care professionals can collaborate with local services, schools, and policymakers to address social determinants of health. By integrating community-led initiatives, advocating for child-friendly policies, and supporting vulnerable families, healthcare professionals can help create healthier environments for children. Practical case studies will highlight successful partnerships and interventions that improve long-term outcomes. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging their roles to drive positive community change, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. This discussion reinforces the idea that healthcare providers are not just caregivers but also key contributors to broader societal well-being.

A/Prof Ng Kar Hui Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Nephrology, Dialysis and Renal Transplantation, National University Hospital A/Prof Ng Kar Hui is a senior consultant in Paediatric Nephrology in NUH and associate professor in NUS Department of Paediatrics. Dr Ng has a special interest in genetic kidney disease. She started the collaborative network DRAGoN (Deciphering Diversities: Renal Asian Genetics Network) to study this across South Asia; and  she founded the Renal Alliance for PrecIsion Diagnosis in Singapore (RAPIDS) which is a multi-disciplinary network where genetics experts, scientists and bioinformaticians work closely with nephrologists to provide genetics services within the nephrology clinics in Singapore. Synopsis: Haematuria affects 1% of children in the general population. About  25% and 2% of these children have autosomal dominant (AD) and sex-linked Alport syndrome respectively. We found Alport syndrome mutations in 1 out of 150 Singaporeans. In Renal Alliance for PrecIsion Diagnosis in Singapore, 1 in 6 patients had Alport syndrome. The majority are autosomal dominant. Nearly 100% of men with sex-linked Alport syndrome face kidney failure by 40 years if untreated. With AD form, up to 30% can develop kidney failure by age 60. With early diagnosis and initiation of anti-proteinuric medications, we can delay kidney failure by >=2 decades. The earlier the initiation of treatment, the longer the delay of kidney failure. Through real-world cases, the talk will inform paediatricians how patients with haematuria should be better managed.

Dr Ting Fang Ni Consultant, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital Dr Ting Fang Ni is a consultant in the Division of Dermatology at National University Hospital, the Children's Emergency Department at Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute, and the NUWoC Children’s Clinic at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. She completed her MBBS with Honours at Monash University (Australia) and her Paediatric residency training at NUH, where she obtained her Master of Medicine (Paediatrics) and MRCPCH. Dr Ting also completed a two-year Clinical Fellowship in adult and paediatric Dermatology at NUH in 2023. Synopsis: Skin disease in children can greatly impact the quality of life of young patients and their caregivers. Using case vignettes, we will explore the diagnosis and management of common paediatric dermatological conditions encountered in primary care including eczema, acne, urticaria, skin infections, hair and nail disorders. Emphasis will be placed on identifying red flags, appropriate treatment strategies and when to refer to specialists. Additionally, practical advice on sun protection and establishing a daily skincare routine for children will be discussed. This session will equip all practitioners with essential knowledge to effectively manage common dermatological issues in their daily clinical practice.