Dr Christina Ong — Paediatric Gastroenterologist in Singapore

Dr Christina Ong is a senior consultant paediatrician and paediatric gastroenterologist practising in Singapore. She completed her medical degree at Imperial College School of Medicine, London, and undertook specialist training in the United Kingdom.

She is accredited as a specialist in general paediatrics and in paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS). Before entering private practice, she headed the Gastroenterology Service in Paediatric Medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Her clinical work covers gastrointestinal conditions such as reflux disease and inflammatory bowel disease, and she performs endoscopic procedures including gastroscopy and colonoscopy in children and adolescents.

Clinical focus

Paediatric gastroenterology.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (Imperial College, London), MRCPCH (UK), FRCPCH (UK), FAMS.

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Paediatric & Gastroenterology Clinic — Novena (Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre)
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital; Thomson Medical Centre

Getting to the clinic

Dr Christina Ong practises at the Paediatric & Gastroenterology Clinic within the Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre on Irrawaddy Road, in the Novena medical cluster. The nearest train station is Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South Line; from there the specialist centre is a short walk, with sheltered links for part of the way, or a brief taxi or feeder-bus ride for those who prefer not to walk far with a child. Several public bus services stop along Thomson Road and nearby streets, and the building has a covered drop-off point at its entrance for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles.

Drivers will find paid visitor parking within the Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre carpark. As this is a busy private medical hub, parking can be in demand during clinic hours, so allow time to park and to make your way up to the correct floor and suite. Noting the exact unit number when you book lets you follow the building’s lifts and signage straight to the clinic. Families coming from other parts of the island generally find the MRT to Novena, with a short final taxi if needed, the most reliable approach. Dr Ong is also accredited at Thomson Medical Centre, which is likewise served by Novena MRT and nearby bus and taxi routes.

What paediatric gastroenterology covers

Paediatric gastroenterology deals with conditions of the digestive system in children, including the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and nutrition. Common reasons for referral include reflux, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, difficulty gaining weight, and food-related symptoms. The field also covers more specific conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and liver problems. Dr Ong’s work covers gastrointestinal conditions such as reflux disease and inflammatory bowel disease, and she performs endoscopic procedures including gastroscopy and colonoscopy in children and adolescents.

Endoscopy allows the specialist to look directly at the lining of the digestive tract and to take small samples where needed, which can be important in diagnosing conditions that cannot be confirmed by examination alone. Management combines accurate diagnosis with treatment tailored to the child, which may include dietary advice, medication and ongoing monitoring of growth and nutrition. Because digestive problems can affect a child’s eating, comfort and development, care is geared towards both treating the condition and supporting healthy growth.

What to expect at a consultation

A consultation usually begins with a detailed history of your child’s symptoms, feeding, growth, bowel habits and general health, along with any family history of digestive conditions. The specialist examines your child, including the abdomen, and assesses growth using weight and height. Much can be learnt from a careful history, so it helps to describe symptoms clearly, including their timing and any link to foods.

Depending on the findings, investigations such as blood tests, stool tests, imaging or, where indicated, endoscopy may be arranged. The specialist will explain the likely diagnosis, discuss treatment, which may involve dietary changes, medication or further tests, and set out a plan with follow-up. Families usually leave with practical advice and a clear sense of the next steps.

Preparing for your appointment

Helpful items to bring include:

• Your child’s identification or birth certificate and any referral letter.
• Your child’s health booklet, including growth charts and immunisations.
• Previous records, test results or imaging where available.
• A current list of any medicines and supplements your child takes.
• A written note of symptoms, including a food and symptom diary where eating or bowel habits are the concern.

Recording your child’s typical diet and any foods that seem to trigger symptoms is especially useful in gastroenterology.

After your consultation and follow-up

After the visit you will receive an explanation of the diagnosis and a plan, with results provided once ready. Many digestive conditions are managed over time, so review visits are arranged to check progress, adjust treatment and monitor growth and nutrition. The specialist may arrange further tests, dietary input or procedures such as endoscopy, and continuity of care supports conditions that need ongoing management, such as inflammatory bowel disease. You are entitled to seek a second opinion. Seek urgent medical attention if your child has persistent vomiting, blood in the stool or vomit, severe abdominal pain, signs of dehydration, or significant weight loss.

Booking, referrals and fees

As a private specialist, Dr Ong can generally be seen without a referral, though a letter from your GP or polyclinic helps share your child’s history and may assist if you later seek subsidised care in the public system. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply to eligible procedures such as endoscopy within set limits, while consultations are usually paid out of pocket. Confirm current fees and insurance coverage directly with the clinic before attending.

Common questions

Is reflux in babies always a problem?

Mild reflux is common in babies and often improves with time. Assessment is helpful when it is severe, affects feeding or growth, or causes other concerning symptoms.

What is an endoscopy in children?

It is a procedure to look directly at the lining of the digestive tract using a thin camera, often under sedation or anaesthesia, and is used to diagnose certain conditions.

When should constipation be assessed by a specialist?

Most constipation is managed by a GP, but persistent, severe or complicated cases may benefit from specialist assessment.

Can food cause my child’s tummy symptoms?

Sometimes. Certain foods or intolerances can contribute, which is why a food and symptom diary is helpful for the specialist to review.

Related guides

• Childhood constipation
• Acid reflux / GERD

Sources & verification

• Thomson Medical – Dr Christina Ong specialist profile
• Mount Elizabeth Hospitals – Dr Ong Christina profile

See also: our editorial directory of paediatricians in Singapore and our shortlist of paediatric clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.