Impact of family and caregiver factors on development and behaviours in maltreated young children.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of developmental and emotional/ behavioural concerns in maltreated children and to examine the impact of adverse family/caregiver risk factors on these outcomes.

Method: We analysed family demographic and baseline data of 132 maltreated children and their caregivers from a family support programme in Singapore. We examined the associations of 3 main risk factors (i.

Health care utilization, productivity losses, and burden of adverse childhood experiences in Singapore: Findings from a national survey.

Objective: There is poor understanding on health care utilization, productivity losses, and burden of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in multiethnic Asian populations. Part of this research gap stems from the limited epidemiological data on neglect, emotional abuse, bullying, and dysfunctional home environments. This study estimated health care utilization, productivity losses, and burden of ACEs (at least one exposure and multiple exposures) in Singapore.

Profile of hospitalised maltreated children aged 0 to 3 years and their families.

Introduction: Maltreatment adversely affects children's health and development. Knowledge of child maltreatment in early childhood is limited. We studied the demographic factors and health issues in children aged 0-3 years who were hospitalised for maltreatment.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with low bone mineral density in Asian adolescents with anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) at diagnosis in Asian adolescent females with anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN.

Method: We analyzed the BMD results for 213 patients between 10 and 18 years of age, with AN and atypical AN receiving care at a pediatric hospital in Singapore. We used linear regression analyses to determine if type of eating disorder, premorbid weight, and duration of amenorrhea were risk factors for low BMD.

Use of a Mobile Lifestyle Intervention App as an Early Intervention for Adolescents With Obesity: Single-Cohort Study.

Background: Effective, resource-efficient treatment is urgently needed to address the high rates of pediatric and adolescent obesity. This need has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of a mobile health tool as an early intervention before a clinic-based multidisciplinary weight management program could be an effective treatment strategy that is appropriate during a pandemic.

Evaluation of a group family-based intervention programme for adolescent obesity: the LITE randomised controlled pilot trial.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the LITE (Lifestyle Intervention for TEenagers) group programme, a family-based behavioural lifestyle intervention for overweight and obese adolescents.

Methods: We conducted a two-arm randomised controlled trial that recruited overweight and obese adolescents who attended a tertiary care weight management clinic. Participants were randomised to the LITE programme or usual care.

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergencies and hospitalizations in Singapore.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the provision of health services in all specialties. We aim to study the impact of COVID-19 on the utilization of pediatric hospital services including emergency department (ED) attendances, hospitalizations, diagnostic categories and resource utilization in Singapore.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of ED attendances and hospital admissions among children < 18 years old from January 1st to August 8th 2020 in a major pediatric hospital in Singapore.

Implementation of family-based treatment for Asian adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A consecutive cohort examination of outcomes.

Objective: This study describes the implementation of family-based treatment (FBT) in an eating disorder program in Asia as well as clinical outcomes of Asian adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) treated with FBT.

Method: This retrospective consecutive cohort study of 147 Asian adolescents with AN was compared between those in FBT (n = 65) versus treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 82). Variables associated with weight restoration were analyzed between groups.

Outcomes of a higher calorie inpatient refeeding protocol in Asian adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

Objective: This study aims to compare the outcomes of higher calorie refeeding (HCR) and a lower calorie refeeding (LCR) methods among a diverse sample of young Asian adolescents admitted to a tertiary institution in Asia for management of anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method: This is a retrospective case control study of Asian adolescents who were managed using an inpatient HCR protocol (2016-2017) and an LCR protocol (2010-2014). Baseline characteristics, daily change in percent median body mass index (%mBMI), and rates of refeeding hypophosphatemia were analyzed between groups.

Caring for Children and Adolescents With Eating Disorders in the Current Coronavirus 19 Pandemic: A Singapore Perspective.

Our public pediatric tertiary hospital in Singapore has been a part of a robust public health response to coronavirus 19 that has been calibrated in a timely manner to the evolving international situation. As of mid-March, Singapore remains in a containment mode with enhanced surveillance and limited community spread. Within this context, our service for pediatric eating disorder care has had to make significant adaptations to our models of service delivery as well as respond to the changing psychosocial needs of our patients.

First presentation of restrictive early onset eating disorders in Asian children.

Objective: This study aims to describe the spectrum of children with restrictive early onset eating disorders (EOEDs), defined as below 13 years of age, presenting to a tertiary institution in Asia and comparing them with older adolescents with eating disorders.

Methods: This is a retrospective case review of Asian children who were treated in an eating disorder center. Baseline characteristics and inpatient management at first presentation of children younger than 13 years of age (EOED) were compared to those in older adolescents.

Adolescent health in Asia: insights from Singapore.

The introduction of adolescent medicine as a medical subspecialty in Singapore was a welcome in an evolving health care system that is unique in terms of both efficiency, in financing and the results achieved in community health outcomes. The Ministry of Health (MOH) already recognized the need to accommodate the health care concerns related to adolescent psychosocial health risk behaviors and an increased prevalence of young people living with chronic illness. The challenge for the pioneer team of physicians trained in adolescent medicine was to develop and sustain a model of care that integrated (i) core clinical services that include quality measures of care to adolescents; (ii) professional development and capacity building needing an expansive teaching agenda at every level of health education; (iii) strong inter-sectorial collaborations within hospital and community partners; and (iv) robust research and evaluation strategies that keep clinical practice relevant and evidence based.