Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) – Is it real?
25th December 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo They used to call it “Paediatric Infection Triggered Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders” (PITANDS)(1). Sounds terrible, doesn’t it? They were referring to children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who had a sudden onset of their psychiatric symptoms, typically following infection with a variety of agents, including group A streptococcus (pyogenes), varicella […]
Acid suppression in infants – 2 questions to ponder before prescribing
13th July 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo Gastroesophageal acid reflux disease in babies is a common presentation in general practice. Crying, frequent vomiting or regurgitation and sometimes poor weight gain can transform a lovely and cute baby into a monster. Acid suppressants, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) are increasingly being prescribed […]
Montelukast and neuropsychiatric events in kids with asthma – is there a link?
10th June 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo Children with moderate to severe asthma often needs more than the usual bronchodilators. Even the newer long acting beta agonists (LABA) or long acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) may not be enough to control the symptoms and reduce exacerbations and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are often needed. But we are […]
Paediatric intracranial tumours – ordering the right test
A meningioma is a benign tumour that arises from the meninges. Meningiomas are often slow-growing, however in some instances, they may be fast-growing and their effects on adjacent brain tissue, nerves or vessels may cause serious disability. Timely access to a Bulk Billable MRI scan can enable a quick diagnosis and appropriate referral for neurosurgery without […]
Paediatric MRIs – which ones are Medicare rebatable?
One of the problems of MRIs coming on and coming off Medicare rebates over time is the immense confusion to us GPs. This is especially so in the area of Paediatric MRIs. Fortunately, our colleagues at Spectrum Radiology has put together a quick reference guide for use in practice. The guide is now available under GP Resources […]
Groin pain in adolescents – is that slipped capital femoral epiphysis?
22nd April 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo One of the diagnoses I dread to miss in general practice is slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). It is not common (yet) but most general practitioners will encounter (or miss) a few of these in their life time. They are mostly seen during the adolescent years and are […]
Low birth weight and future cardiovascular risk – how are they connected?
13th April 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo We know that overweight children have higher future risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Ironically, babies who are small at birth or during infancy also have increased rates of cardiovascular disease and diabetes as adults. It is thought that foetal undernutrition at different stages of gestation are somehow […]
Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction – when to probe?
13th February 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo Nasolacrimal duct obstruction in infants is not uncommon. Up to 10% of infants will present with watery, teary eyes which sometimes become purulent necessitating antibiotic drops. We know that “most” spontaneously resolve as the infant grows older. In the meantime, we generally recommend massaging of the duct and […]
Oral steroids for glue ear?
1st September 2018, Dr Chee L Khoo After acute otitis media, the middle ear effusion usually resolves within days although it may take up to 3 months in some children. However, in up to 8% of kids, the effusion persist beyond the 3 months and it becomes chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). Why these […]
Tonsillectomy – do they affect future immunity?
July 1st, 2018, Dr Chee L Khoo I am sure you have been asked by parents of young patients about to undergo tonsillectomy +/- adenoidectomy whether the removal of the tonsils will affect future immunity since the tonsils and adenoids are integral to the body’s immune response. I have had those questions asked of me […]
Prescribing antibiotics for influenza – are you one of them?
June 15, 2018, Dr Chee L Khoo The most recent stats tell us that antibiotics prescription for viral URTIs have come down. It certainly gives us that warm and fuzzy feel good feeling that finally, the message is getting through in primary care. Well, are antibiotic prescription rates for influenza infections really coming down? How […]
Metformin in pregnancy – where are we now?
April 2018, Dr Chee L Khoo Another day, another study published on the good or bad about metformin use in pregnancy. There is a lot of confusion and unknowns about the benefit or safety of metformin to the mother-to-be or to the long-term outcome of the baby. When there is a lot of conflicting data […]