Hundreds of children in Singapore each year sustain a brain injury, either as a result of trauma from motor vehicle accidents, falls and sports, or other serious illnesses such as stroke, infections like meningitis and encephalitis, tumour and hypoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain).
Significant brain damage can lead to multiple problems which may be physical, functional, cognitive, emotional and pychosocial in nature. Injury to growing brain cells may cause weakness and numbness of the limbs, poor balance, blurred vision, slurred speech and swallowing difficulties. Assistance may then be required for walking and basic self-care tasks. Secondary complications include spasticity of the limbs, which can lead to muscle tightness, contractures, and pain. Cognitive issues include reduced attention and concentration span as well as impaired memory and problem-solving abilities. As a result of these disabilities, the child may become depressed and socially withdrawn. There is also an increased risk of developing fits.
Children are different from adults in the sense that they are continuing to grow and develop. Their brain is still not yet mature and they are in the process of learning and acquiring new skills. The occurrence of brain injury can affect their ability to achieve milestones normally. Research evidence indicates that starting rehabilitation early is important to optimize recovery of brain function and reduce levels of impairment and disability. Paediatric rehabilitation provides an “enriched environment”, stimulating the child through real-world demands to successively achieve age-appropriate skills. As the child develops and matures, he may show difficulties, in the longer term, with coping with increasingly complex demands from school and society. Such children consequently need rehabilitation throughout their developmental years.
In collaboration with the Dept of Paediatric Medicine and therapists of the Rehabilitation Service at Kandang Kerbau Hospital (KKH), the Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine, TTSH has assisted in the set-up of a Brain Injury Rehabilitation Programme (BIRP) to help these children and their families. Both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services are provided to maximize the child’s functional independence, provide appropriate psychological support to child and family, and help the child reintegrate back to home, school and community. Family support is of vital importance to the child throughout the period of recovery and reintegration. Continual education, training and guidance of the family therefore form an integral component of the rehabilitation programme.
The paediatric rehabilitation team provides a coordinated interdisciplinary team approach with evaluation and treatment tailored to meet each child’s needs. The team consists of the following members:-
For more information or to obtain an appointment to the paediatric neuro-rehabilitation clinic at KKH, please contact Dr Janice Wong at 63941139.
Alternatively, you may call 64506181 (TTSH Rehabilitation Centre) for an appointment to see Dr Yen Hwee Ling (for adolescents only).
 |
Name :
Chan Kay Fei
Designation :
Head & Senior Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS Subspeciality :
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Pain Management, Occupational Rehabilitation |
|
 |
Name :
Kong Keng He
Designation :
Senior Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS Subspeciality :
Stroke and Nerological Rehabilitation, Spasticity Management, Motor Point Blocks, Nerve Blocks, Botulinum Toxin Injections, Medical Acupuncture | |
 |
Name :
Chan Wai Lim, William
Designation :
Senior Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, FACRM, FAFRM, FAMS Subspeciality :
Spinal Injury Rehabilitation, Amputee Rehabilitation |
|
 |
Name :
Chua Sui Geok, Karen
Designation :
Senior Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS, FRCP (Edin) Subspeciality :
Brain Injury & Neurological Rehabilitation, Pain Management, Spaticity Management, Motor Point Blocks, Nerve Blocks, Botulinum Toxin Injections, Medical Acupuncture | |
 |
Name :
Tow Per Er, Adela May
Designation :
Senior Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP, FAMS Subspeciality :
Spinal Injury Rehabilitation, Pain Management, Urodynamic Studies, Medical Acupuncture |
|
 |
Name :
Yen Hwee Ling
Designation :
Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP, FAMS Subspeciality :
Stroke & Neurological Rehabilitation, Adolescent Neurological Rehabilitation, Medical Acupuncture | |
 |
Name :
Yap Eng Ching
Designation :
Consultant Credentials :
MB ChB, MRCP, FAMS Subspeciality :
Spine, Sports and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation |
|
 |
Name :
Yap Giok Mei, Samantha
Designation :
Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP (UK) Subspeciality :
Brain Injury & Neurological Rehabilitation | |
 |
Name :
Tjan Soon Yin
Designation :
Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS Subspeciality :
Chronic Pain Management, Musculoskeletal & Amputee Rehabilitation |
|
 |
Name :
Neo Jong Jong
Designation :
Associate Consultant Credentials :
MBBS, FAFRM (RACP) Subspeciality :
Rehabilitation Medicine | |
 |
Name :
K Palaniappan
Designation :
Registrar Credentials :
MBBS, MRCP(UK) Subspeciality :
Rehab Medicine |
|
|
Name :
Tan Ping Ping
Designation :
Registrar Credentials :
MBBS, MMed(Int Med), MRCP(UK) Subspeciality :
Rehab Medicine | |
|
Name :
Deshan Kumar Rajeswaran
Designation :
Registrar |
|
|
Name :
Loh Yong Joo
Designation :
Resident Physician Credentials :
MBBS Subspeciality :
Rehab Medicine | |
|
Name :
Tham Shuen Loong
Designation :
Resident Physician Credentials :
MBBS Subspeciality :
Rehab Medicine |
|
| |
