Singapore has launched its largest-ever study on paediatric food allergies, aiming to better understand and address the growing burden of allergic reactions among children.
A team of Singaporean clinicians and researchers from the country’s top medical institutions has initiated a comprehensive study on food allergies in local children, following a steady rise in clinical cases.
The four-year project, announced on Thursday (26 June) in a joint statement, marks the first national effort to map the scale, types, and impact of food allergies in the paediatric population.
The study is divided into two phases. The first phase, which began in February 2025, targets a broad community sample. Researchers aim to survey at least 2,000 parents and caregivers of children aged 12 to 24 months. These participants will complete detailed questionnaires about their children’s dietary experiences and potential allergic reactions. Those indicating signs of possible allergies will be referred to either the National University Hospital (NUH) or KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) for clinical evaluation.
The second phase, set to commence in July 2025, will focus on a more targeted group of about 400 children aged 0 to 18 years who have had diagnosed allergies to milk, egg, peanut, or shellfish for at least six months. This stage will involve more detailed clinical assessments, including the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of food allergies on children and their families.
Clinicians at both NUH and KKH have observed a consistent increase in paediatric food allergy cases over recent years. Common allergens among younger children include eggs, milk, and peanuts, while shellfish is a frequent trigger in adolescents and young adults.
Dr Chong Kok Wee, a co-investigator from KKH, said the rise of food allergies is concerning.
“We have seen a significant and worrying upward trend in food allergy cases. This study is timely and essential for shaping better care and prevention strategies.”
Lead principal investigator Dr Elizabeth Tham said the research also aims to explore how food allergies affect mental health and quality of life, particularly among older children and teenagers. She added that a deeper understanding of these aspects is vital to ensuring more holistic healthcare approaches in future.
Once completed, the data gathered from this nationwide study is expected to inform clinical guidelines, public health initiatives, and support systems for children living with food allergies in Singapore.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic miss...
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concer...
Country music legend Dolly Parton, whose songs, unmistakable style and warmth made her one of America’s most enduring entertainers, has died ...
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
A newly created pro-government political party has secured a commanding victory in Kazakhstan's snap parliamentary election, according to exit polls, strengthening President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's influence at a pivotal moment in the country's political transition.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Australia has confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a mammal after the virus was detected in a dead long-nosed fur seal in South Australia, authorities said.
Malaysia is facing a sharp rise in dengue infections, with the capital Kuala Lumpur and the wider Klang Valley emerging as the main centres of concern.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases, with the death toll reaching 2,378, according to the latest government data.
The Democratic Republic of Congo says the number of confirmed Ebola cases has risen to more than 5,000, with more than 2,300 deaths. Delayed detection, weak surveillance, funding shortages and conflict have allowed the virus to spread faster than in any previous epidemic at the same stage.
Australia warned on Monday (3 August) of a wider spread of H5N1 bird flu after its first confirmed mass mortality event among seabirds killed about 50 greater crested terns off the coast of South Australia, south of Adelaide.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment