Karri Family Clinic Tampines

Hep A outbreak in Malaysia: Protect yourself with the Hep A vaccine!

2011-12-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

There has recently been a report of an outbreak of Hep A in Terengganu, Malaysia. If you are planning a trip to the region, please get yourself vaccinated with the Hep A vaccine. You will need two jabs over six months, but even after the first jab, you will get 85% protection by 2 weeks and 100% protection by 3 weeks.

Hep A is easily contracted through exposure to contaminated food and water and is highly recommended for visitors planning to travel to regions like South East Asia and South Asia.

The Hep A vaccine is available at our clinic at $110 nett.

Kids to get two MMR vaccines at 12 and 15 months

2011-11-29T02:59:00.000-08:00

MOH has announced that from 1 Dec 2011, all children will need to have 2 MMR vaccines at 12 and 15 months. Currently, they are only required to have one at 15 months followed by a booster at primary one.

The reason for this is because there have been measles cases reported in Singapore. By completing the 2 courses, the child will have earlier protection against measles.

It is also advised that older children who have already taken the first MMR also complete the course instead of waiting till primary one.

You now have the option of including the chickenpox vaccine as part of the MMR vaccination. The combined vaccine is called MMRV and contains Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chickenpox vaccines. It is a convenient way of protecting your children against an additional disease. Our package for your child's 2nd year vaccines include 2 MMRV at 12 and 15 months and the 5 in One booster at 18 months. The package costs $340nett and includes the consultation fees.

The MMR vaccine without chickenpox is also available at our clinic.

Read the ChannelNewsAsia article.

Protect your kids with a Prevenar 13 booster

2011-06-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a weekend conference on pneumococcal disease and am reminded yet again on how the disease can be very severe to young children. If you haven't already done so, please have your kids vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the first year of life. The MOH recommendations are for three doses of pneumoccocal vaccine to be administered at 3 months, 5 months and 1 year old.

For those kids who have been vaccinated prior to 2010 and are between 2 and 5 years of age, you might want to get a booster dose of the latest pneumoccocal vaccine which covers and extra 6 different strains of the pneumococcal bacteria. The original pneumococcal vaccine covered 7 strains but the latest one covers 13 strains. So with an extra booster, you will be able to extend the vaccine coverage for your kids.

Lately there has been news about some kids who have still fallen ill even though they had been vaccinated with the pneumococcal vaccine. You can read the story here. This is because there are many strains of the bacteria and the original vaccine did not cover all of them. One strain of particular importance is the strain 19A which has been causing pnuemoccocal disease worldwide. The good news is that the latest pneumococcal vaccine will confer immunity to strain 19A.

If your child has already completed the pneumococcal vaccine and are between 2 to 5 years of age, do check with the doctor if he/she has been covered with the latest pneumococcal vaccine. One booster dose is all that is required to give them wider protection.

One dose of the Prevenar 13 vaccine costs $140 nett at our clinic and includes GST and injection fees. Our 3 dose package is $405 nett. These rates are for cash and Baby Bonus. Medisave can also be used but admin charges will apply.

Cervical Awareness Month: Protect your daughter against Cervical Cancer

2011-05-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

It's Cervical awareness month again. So here is a timely reminder for all parents that you can protect your daughter against Cervical Cancer by giving her a vaccine when she reaches 9 years of age.

The vaccine is actually already in the National Immunization program for girls from 9 to 26 years of age. So you can withdraw $300 from Medisave to pay for the vaccine if you wish. The price for the Medisave Package is $420

If you are able to pay by cash or nets, we are giving you a further discount and the package is $390 nett. This special price is valid while the current stocks of vaccines last.

Medisave price is $420

What to do when you get a Burn

2011-05-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Burnt with hot oil

When I was a kid, I remember playing hide and seek with my friend and I hid under my father's writing desk. Unfortunately, our helper had kept her hot iron under the desk too and I suffered a burn to my left arm. The first thing she did was to put toothpaste on the wound. I only have a vague memory of what happened after that, but that 8 cm scar is still visible on my left arm to remind me of what happened. It's a good thing it wasn't my face or I might be given the nickname, "Scar".

This is a very short post to tell you one thing. When you get a scald or a burn, the first thing you should do is to put the affected area under running tap water for 10 to 15 mins. Once the pain subsides, go see the doctor. Of course if it is just a small burn about the size of a coin or two, then you may not need to see the doctor. But if it is relatively large and especially if it affects any of the joints or has blistered, then it is advisable to seek medical help.

Would you all please instruct your home helpers, viz maids, grandma, grandpa and whoever is looking after your child about this today so that they know what to do.

Safety of Seafood from Japan

2011-04-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

I have written an article on radiation and how it affects the food we eat.

In essence, because of the stringent controls in place, we can be confident that the food imported from Japan is safe. The article will also explain the different types of radiation and how radiation causes cancer.

Click here to read.

Common Bicycle Accident in Kids: Parents please be careful!

2011-04-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

Common Bicycle injury in kids

I just saw another case of this type of bicycle accident where the child is riding in front of the bicycle and inadvertently got his leg trapped in the spokes of the spinning wheel.

May I remind parents to be extra vigilant when you have kids riding in front of the bicycle. Here are some things you might want to do:

1. Make sure the child wears proper shoes and socks. This child was wearing a pair of slippers only. If he had a proper pair of shoes and thick socks, the injury would not have been so bad.

2. Please make sure you have one of those bicycle seats where the child can place his legs inside the plastic foot rests. Make sure that the seat is big enough such that the child can stretch his legs past the seat into the spokes of the wheel.

3. Seating the child at the back of the bicycle is better than in front as it lessens the chance of the leg getting caught in the spokes of the wheels.

4. Always remind the child that riding a bicycle is potentially dangerous and he must sit still and not play around while the bicycle is in motion.

5. Not many people do this in Singapore, but it is always safer if you can wear a helmet. In Australia, this is compulsory. I have come across one case where the child fell from a bicycle and hit her head against the drain. She subsequently had to have an emergency surgery to evacuate a blood clot in the head.

Japan drug panel finds no link between Vaccinations and Deaths of Children

2011-03-10T18:54:00.000-08:00

You might have heard the news that there have been some concern In Japan about the pneumoccocal and Act-Hib vaccines. The latest report published by the Japanese drug safety panel has stated clearly that following investigations, they have found no link between five infants who died this month and the Pfizer vaccine Prevenar 7 as well as the Sanofi vaccine Act Hib.

I have been assured by the Pfizer representative here in Singapore that our batch of vaccines are different from the ones used in Japan. We are currently administering the latest Prevenar 13 vaccines which are manufactured in England whereas the Japanese Prevenar 7 are from the US.

So far Prevenar has been in the market for the last decade and there has not been any major safety concerns after 360 million doses have been distributed. In Japan alone, 2 million doses have been distributed and this is the first time there has been any concern about the vaccine. Japan has suspended the use of the vaccines in order to find the root cause. But as far as their drug safety panel are concerned, there is no link between the vaccinations and the deaths.

All the other countries who are administering Prevenar 13 will continue to administer the vaccine. In Singapore the HSA has not issued any warnings about using the vaccine.

Parents should be rest assured that the vaccine is safe.

I will continue to keep you posted on any future developments.

Link to news article.

Karri Family Clinic now offers Anti Aging Consultation

2011-02-22T18:10:00.000-08:00

If you are over 40 and sometimes just feel like you don't have as much energy as before, you probably think that its just because you are getting old, and you are probably right. But nowadays, there is a new branch of medicine that looks at these issues and may offer some solutions to your "mid life crisis".

There are tests that can be done to determine why you are not as energetic as before and an effective solution may be as simple as taking a supplement or applying a gel.

Dr Suren Baskaran is an American Board Certified Anti Aging doctor and a senior partner of the clinic. He will consulting at Karri Family Clinic on Saturday mornings by appointment. So if you wish to do a health screening with an emphasis on Anti Aging, please call our clinic to make an appointment.

First Consultation charge: $50
Screening packages start from $150

Dr Tay's Book is now available at our clinic

2011-01-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

My new book which talks about Singapore's Hawker Heritage and recommendation of all the best places to eat is now available for sale at our clinic at $25. The proceeds will are donated to Goducate to build schools for the kids in Sandakan.

Karri Family Clinic featured on Zao Bao Weekend as The Kids Friendly Clinic located in Tampines Central Community Complex

2010-11-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

Here's the translation

A Kid's Paradise

The Doctor who blogs

Karri Family Clinic

Like many kids, Buddy feels apprehensive when seeing the doctor, unless of course he is seeing Dr Tay.

This particular family doctor who is also a well known food blogger, loves to have kids in his clinic, which is why his clinic is stocked with tons of surprises for his little patients. His motto is "They might walk in crying, but they will walk out with a smile on their face". Buddy loves not only watching this Doctor sculpt his balloon art, but is also amazed at the stickers and various knick knacks that he keeps in the clinic to entertain his little friends.

His patients are very familiar with Doctor Tay, some of whom are regular readers of his food blog, ieatishootipost.sg. The forty year old doctor had returned from living overseas a few years back and realised that he had missed out on all the wonderful food in Singapore and decided to make it his mission to blog about all the famous stalls.

Besides blogging about food, Dr Tay also writes a clinic blog, www.karrifamilyclinic.com.sg to keep his patients updated on the latest medical news and to educate his patients on different aspects of keeping healthy.

Prevenar 13: Official launch and Charity Event

2010-11-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

Prevenar 13, the latest vaccine in the prevention of pneumococcal disease was officially launched on 23 October. The company marked the launch by organizing a charity event where the new vaccine was given to underprivileged children. I was very honored to have been invited to be one of the volunteer doctors for the event.

Link to AsiaOne Website

The new pneumoccal vaccine will replace the old vaccine and provide an even broader coverage against the deadly pneumococcal disease.

Our Package of 3 jabs for the new vaccine is $405 nett if you are using cash or Babybonus. If you are using Medisave, then the package is $450 nett You are able to deduct $300 from your Medisave account to pay for the pneumococcal vaccine.

Latest Pneumoccocal Vaccine: Prevenar 13, now available at Karri Family Clinic

2010-10-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

The latest Pneumoccocal vaccine, Prevenar 13 is now available at Karri Family Clinic. Prevenar 13 is an updated version of Prevenar and includes a wider coverage and thus better protection for your babies.

You can now withdraw $300 from your Medisave account to pay for your Pneumococcal Vaccines at our clinic. The package for 3 jabs is $450, nett. We offer a further discount for those who are paying by cash or baby bonus. The Babybonus/cash package for 3 jabs is $405, nett. Individual jabs are $140 nett, payable by cash or Babybonus.

Parents with kids below 5 who have completed the course of Prevenar can opt to take one jab of the new Prevenar 13 to broaden the coverage for their kids.

Doctor is my Child too Fat?: New BMI-for-age cut offs for children

2010-09-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

Actually, not many parents come to the clinic worrying that their kids are too fat. Most parents come to the clinic complaining that their kids are not eating well and are too thin.

I think that there needs to be a fundamental change in the thinking of parents concerning their children's weight. In many Asian cultures, fat is seen to be good because traditionally, food is scarce, so only those who are really well off can afford to feed their kids well. So fat kids are seen as a sign of properity. However, in Singapore now, we are seeing an epidemic of kids who are really too fat. Obese kids who grow up to be obese adults who run the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels etc.

The Health Promotion Board has recently released new BMI for age charts which I have uploaded here on the website. BMI is short for Body Mass Index and it is a way to determine if your child is over or underweight. But unlike adults, kids of different age groups have different BMI ranges. So that is why in order to find out if your child is indeed overweight, you need to first work out his BMI and then compare it on the BMI for age percentile chart.

So here is how to use the BMI for age charts:

Here is the chart for boys.:

Here is the Chart for Girls:

Once you have worked out the percentile you child is in, use this next chart to determine if he is over or underweight. Then see what is the suggested advise for your child.

More information on www.knowyourbmi.sg/children

If you are concerned about your child's weight, do visit the clinic for a checkup. Some kids are overweight because of underlying problems and these need to be excluded.

Reference: Understanding and Using BMI for age charts: HPB, August 2010

Friday Morning clinic closed

2010-08-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

I must apologize that we will need to close the clinic this Friday, 15 Oct, as I have been called up to serve my reservist duties and was unable to find a replacement doctor.

The evening clinic will operate as per normal.

Again, please accept my apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Power over Cervical Cancer: Special Package Price for Cervarix vaccine

2010-06-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

In Singapore, one case of cervical cancer is diagnosed every two days and claims the life of more than one woman every 5 days. Yet there is still very little awareness that you can reduce the chance of getting this cancer significantly by vaccination.

This vaccination is recommended for young women from 12 years of age onwards and is in fact part of the immunization program in US and UK. As part of the campaign to increase awareness of Cervical Cancer prevention, a new website has been launched where you can find out more about Cervical Cancer and also do a online evaluation to see your risk of getting cervical cancer. Do have a look at it to learn more about how to prevent this disease.

In support of this awareness campaign, our clinic is offering a very special package of three Cervarix vaccinations for $320 which is $100 off our normal package price. This package is only valid till 22 July 2010 and packages have to be fully paid by cash or nets.

For more information on Cervical Cancer, please visit: www.pocc.sg.

Consultation Hours for 17 June to 21 June

2010-06-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

Please note that our morning clinic will be closed this Thurs (17), Fri (18) and Mon (21). Evening and weekend clinics are as usual.

Thurs 17th: No Morning Clinic, Evening Clinic 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Fri 18th: No Morning Clinic, Evening Clinic 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Sat 19th: 9.30am to 12.30pm (as per normal)
Sun 20th: 6.30pm to 9.30pm (as per normal)
Mon 21st: No Morning Clinic, Evening Clinic 6.30pm to 9.30pm

Latest Recommendations on influenza vaccination

2010-05-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

Many parents have been asking me about whether they need to give their kids the influenza vaccine. Well, according to the latest edition of The Singapore Family Physician, we are following the 2009/2010 recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics which recommends annual influenza immunization for:

1. All children from 6 mths to 18 years
2. Household contacts and care providers of children placed at high risk and healthy children less than 5 years. ie nursery teachers, nurses etc
3. Health care professionals, ie people like me
4. Pregnant women in mid trimester of pregnancy onwards

The schedule for kids is

6mth to 36mth, two 0.25ml doses, 4 weeks apart
36mth to 9 years, two 0.5ml doses, 4 weeks apart
>9 years one 0.5ml dose

Children who have had the influenza vaccine in previous years require only one dose.

The current trivalent influenza vaccine is currently available in our clinic and priced at $30 nett

More information found here

Latest Flu Vaccine is currently in stock!

2010-05-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

We now have stock of the latest Flu Vaccine (3 in 1) which includes both H1N1 and H3N2 strains. The cost of the vaccine is $30 nett.

Would you feed your kids ice cream that does not melt?

2010-04-26T06:00:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday, there was an article in Sunday Times which talked about an unmeltable ice cream from Ya Kun. I don't know about you, but I am very concerned about this. As you can see, the ice cream retains it shape for an hour instead of melting into a liquid like most ice cream should. In the article, it is explained that this is because the manufacturers added emulsifiers and stabilisers to the ice cream to prevent it from melting. According to them, the amount of stabilisers used is in compliance with the US FDA requirements so it is safe for human consumption. Remember that they also told us that Trans Fats were safe!

I don't know about you, but as a concerned parent, I have told my kids that we will avoid eating the Ya Kun ice cream toast until I can be convinced that it is safe. In other countries, such "ice cream" would not be called "ice cream" but "ice confectionery" to differentiate it from real ice cream. I think we as consumers need to be better informed so that we can make a decision whether to eat it or not.

We as consumers need to demand safer and better food or else we will be given whatever is cheaper and easier to handle. I spoke with a friend of mine who runs a Cafe and he tells me that even with butter, there are cheaper ones with plenty of stabilizers or more expensive ones which have natural ingredients. We need to reward those places who serve healthy food and voice our concerns to those who compromise on food quality.

Ya Kun "ice cream" toast does not behave like ice cream!

What do you think? Are you concerned about this? If you are, please write in to voice your concern! You can write directly to Straits Times Life! at stlife@sph.com.sg and directly to Ya Kun at info@yakun.com. The people selling food must be made to feel responsible for the food they feed us and it is up to us to make sure they know we care.

Parents beware of High Fructose Corn Syrup!

2010-04-19T03:55:00.000-07:00

Article by Dr Suren Baskaran

High Fructose corn syrup(HFCS) is a combination of fructose(in high quantity) and glucose, that is manufactured from corn. The controversy is that critics say that HFCS unlike table sugar (sucrose) is more damaging to our health. However others oppose this opinion saying that there is no evidence that HFCS is worse than sugar.

HFCS was only produced in the 70s. The fact is, since 1970 we are eating much more HFCS than ever before in human history. This is because it is cheaper to produce and very versatile. HFCS is so ubiquitous, it is virtually impossible to avoid. It is found in soft drinks, packaged biscuits, condiments, jams, fast foods, low fat packaged food, cereals etc.

Critics of HFCS point out that there is an increase in diabetes and obesity which correlates with the rise of HFCS use. There are several studies in rats and humans that suggest that HFCS increases obesity and have worse blood tests outcomes compared to sucrose. Some suggest that HFCS when taken does not give a sensation of fullness and so we can consume more of it. However the studies are not conclusive and many studies also come up with different conclusions. The American Medical Association says that the evidence of HFCS being worse than sucrose is not confirmatory and more research is required.

Whether or not it is worse than table sugar is not that important. There is no dispute that HFCS is bad news. We take so much of it daily that it causes a major shift of our lipid levels to the dangerous form which includes high triglycerides. Such a lipid profile increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke. HFCS can cause liver abnormality, called `fatty liver' or NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease). We now know that NAFLD can be a serious disease than can causes scarring of the liver and liver dysfunction. HFCS also causes insulin to be less effective (insulin resistance) and a condition called metabolic syndrome. Even gout is an effect of HFCS.

Too much of HFCS and even glucose has caused so much preventable health problems. I urge you to look after yourself and your family by avoiding foods with HFCS such as sugared drinks, fast food, processed biscuits and sweets. Read food labels.

For more info on HFCS, please click here.

New Pneumococcal Vaccine Available!

2010-04-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

We have just received our first batch of the new Pneumoccocal Vaccine, Synflorix which is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

The new vaccine will cover 3 more serotypes of the pneumoccocal bacteria as well as provide additional protection against middle ear infection. Like humans beings where there are Chinese, Indian, Malay, Europeans etc, the Pneumococcal Bacteria also has different "races" which are known as serotypes. There are many serotypes of the Pneumoccocal bacteria and the scientists have designed this new vaccine to cover 10 serotypes that are most responsible for causing disease. The previous vaccine covered 7 serotypes. This new one will cover the previous 7 plus an additional 3 more serotypes. In addition, it will also provide coverage for middle ear infections.

If you have already started on the old vaccine, then you should continue with the old one, because it is not interchangable for the first three jabs. You can opt to give the new vaccine as a booster dose ie as the last jab when the baby becomes one year old. Giving Synflorix as the booster will confer some protection against the additional 3 serotypes.

The good news is that this new jab is cheaper than the previous jab. At Karri Family Clinic, our price for Synflorix is $140 per dose. This includes GST as well as consultation fees. For babies starting their vaccine packages at 2 months of age, you can buy the package of four vaccine at $540 which works out to be $135 per dose.

Synflorix has already been launched in other countries and so far there has been no major concerns about its safety and effectiveness. We will continue to stock the old vaccine, Prevenar, at our clinic so that you have a choice of which vaccine you want to use.

More information about Synflorix can be found here:

Easter Opening Times

2010-03-31T21:35:00.000-07:00

The clinic will be closed on Good Friday.

Clinic hours as usual on Saturday and Sunday.

We wish all Christians a Blessed Easter!

Chickenpox: Update on the boy with complications

2010-03-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

Chickenpox Scarring

Remember the boy who suffered from the severe case of Chickenpox? The good news is that it did not turn out to be meningitis, but the Chickenpox did leave him with a very bad scar to remind him of the entire ordeal.

He had spent one week at KK Hospital where various tests were done to determine the severity of the infection. The pox just in front of the ear had gotten infected, so he had to be put on antibiotics and they had to perform ultrasound imaging to see the extent of the infection which had caused him not to be able to turn his neck.

After one week at KK, he was discharged but still had to be followed up by the paediatrician and had to be continued on antibiotics. This picture is taken recently, one month after the initial Chickenpox infection and I have just certified that he was able to return to school.

I had another Chickenpox case recently where a distraught mom recounted how she had left her child with the in-laws while she was overseas and during the time, her in-laws had another grandchild who had chickenpox and purposely exposed her child to the affected kid. Subsequently, her child had chickenpox which left her with some scarring!

Please remember that though Chickenpox is a mild disease most of the time, it can still cause serious infection. So please don't endorse the idea of Chickenpox parties and subject your child to the disease thinking that it is a way of getting them immne naturally to Chickenpox. You will never forgive yourself if your child landed in hospital because of severe complications. A better and far safer method is to give your child the Chickenpox vaccine and do also consider giving your child a second dose of the vaccine if you want to confer an higher level of protection.

Rotarix: HSA assures us that it is safe

2010-03-23T17:48:00.001-07:00

By now you might have heard of the news of the concern over the Rotarix Vaccine containing some pig virus. Both GSK, the manufacturer and all the leading authorities have looked at the matter and assured us that despite containing the virus, the vaccine is still safe for consumption.

Of course, I know that a lot of parents will still be very concerned about this issue. I would too.

I have spoken to the people at GSK and the way I interpret the situation is as follows. The virus concerned is normally found in pigs and is even found in the pork that is sold for consumption. Due to some new methods of surveillance, they detected fragments of the virus in Rotarix. The scientists are currently investigating how this viral fragment got into the manufacturing process since there is no use of animal parts.

Rotarix is not a vaccine that is injected into the body, but rather taken orally. We know that consumption of the virus does not affect humans, since we would also inadvertantly eat the virus when we eat pork. In fact the virus is not known to cause any disease in pigs or human. Furthermore, it is not the whole virus that is present, but only a fragment of the virus. So if you follow this logic, it should still be safe for babies to be given the vaccine.

So, what should you do?

At this point in time, Rotarix is not a compulsory vaccine, so the decision to give or not to give it is up to the parents. Since the first dose of Rotarix needs to be given before 14 weeks of age, if your baby is still very young, you can perhaps wait for further news on the subject before deciding. On the other hand, one has to still keep in mind that Rotarix has been very useful in preventing severe diarrhoea in babies and so its benefits still outweigh the risks.

I will keep everyone informed of the news about this subject as it unfolds. In the meantime, you might also want to check out the press release by GSK by clicking here.