[From left] Dr Chong Kok Wee, Head and Senior Consultant, Allergy Service, Department of Paediatrics, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, A/Prof Elizabeth Tham, Head & Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children's Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI), National University Hospital (NUH), Dr Abiramy D/O Anathan, Clinician Lead, Paediatrics, National University Polyclinics and Prof Lee Yung Seng, Head, KTP-NUCMI, NUH.

NUH and NUS Lead Four-Year Research into Childhood Food Allergies

A major four-year research initiative titled The Singapore Food Allergy Story has been launched to investigate the rising prevalence of food allergies in Singaporean children. Spearheaded by the National University Hospital (NUH) and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), this multi-institutional study also involves KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), National University Polyclinics (NUP), and the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH).

The study is the first and largest of its kind in Singapore, involving over 2,000 children, and aims to shed light on how food allergies affect growth, nutrition, mental health, and family well-being.

Study at a Glance

Key AspectDetails
Study NameThe Singapore Food Allergy Story
Duration4 years (2025–2029)
Institutions InvolvedNUH, NUS Medicine, KKH, NUP, SSHSPH
Target ParticipantsOver 2,000 children aged 0–24 months (Phase 1, February 2025 – 2027), and 400 diagnosed cases (Phase 2, starting July 2025)
Lead Principal InvestigatorA/Prof Elizabeth Tham, NUH
SupportSingapore Ministry of Health (MOH), NMRC Population Health Research Grant

It comes at a time when NUH and KKH have reported a notable increase in paediatric allergy cases. Between 2022 and 2024, both institutions saw a 60% rise in day therapy sessions, where food challenges are conducted to safely confirm allergies. This significant uptick may reflect both heightened awareness and a real increase in allergic conditions among children. Common allergens seen include eggs, milk and peanuts in younger children, while shellfish tends to affect older youths and adolescents.

Beyond dietary restrictions, food allergies can severely impact a child’s quality of life. Families often face stress, hyper-vigilance, and anxiety around meal planning, school safety, and social activities. This study aims to assess not only the medical impact, but also the nutritionalpsychological, and economic effects.

The study will unfold in two phases. The first phase, which began in February 2025, involves collecting responses from at least 2,000 parents or caregivers of children aged 12 to 24 months during their routine developmental visits at NUP polyclinics. Those who report suspected allergic reactions in their children will be referred to NUH or KKH for further assessment. The second phase, set to begin in July 2025, will include around 400 children aged 0 to 18 years with diagnosed allergies to milk, egg, peanut, or shellfish for at least six months. These participants, recruited from phase one and from existing clinical databases, will undergo comprehensive assessments, including nutritional analysis, growth measurements, stool and blood testing, and evaluations of feeding behaviours and mental health.

The findings will serve multiple purposes: guiding dietary and clinical recommendations, improving mental health support strategies, and shaping future public health policies. Researchers hope to identify nutrient deficiencies, abnormal metabolic outcomes, and behavioural issues that may arise from restrictive diets or the anxiety of managing food allergies in daily life.

A/Prof Elizabeth Tham, Head & Senior Consultant at NUH’s Division of Paediatric Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, serves as Lead Principal Investigator. She shared that the goal is to create a safer and more supportive environment for children with food allergies, helping them reach their full potential both in school and later in life. Her comments are echoed by Dr Chong Kok Wee, Head of the Allergy Service at KKH, who noted that the rising trend in cases has made such research urgent and essential. Dr Abiramy D/O Anathan from NUP also emphasised the importance of using the study’s outcomes to improve support systems and education for families navigating food allergies.

The project is further supported by the Singapore Ministry of Health through the National Medical Research Council’s Population Health Research Grant. It is one of the few studies of this scale globally that seeks to integrate medical data with quality-of-life metrics and mental health outcomes.

This comprehensive research effort represents a turning point for how food allergies are managed in Singapore. While allergic conditions often appear invisible, they can significantly affect day-to-day life. From the foods children can eat, to the schools they attend and the emotional burden their families carry, food allergies are more than a medical issue. They’re a lifestyle reality. By bridging gaps in current knowledge and involving community stakeholders such as parent groups like SPEAK (Singapore Parents of Eczema and Allergy Kids), the study places families at the centre of the solution.

The Singapore Food Allergy Story will not only fill crucial knowledge gaps but will also serve as a national model for how paediatric allergies can be understood, supported and managed with greater empathy, scientific rigour, and institutional collaboration.

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