Dr Lynn Koh Huiting — Paediatric ENT Specialist in Singapore

Dr Lynn Koh Huiting is Head and Senior Consultant of the Department of ENT at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Her subspecialty interests are in paediatric airway conditions and snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea in children. She received her medical degree from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and undertook a Health Manpower Development Programme fellowship in paediatric ENT at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney.

Clinical focus

Paediatric ENT / airway & sleep.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (NUS), MMed (ORL).

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Department of Otolaryngology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (see our clinic listing) — Kallang / Novena (KKH)
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH)

Getting to the clinic

Dr Lynn Koh Huiting practises in the Department of Otolaryngology at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) on Bukit Timah Road, near the Novena area. The nearest station is Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South line, from which the hospital is a short bus or taxi ride; several bus services stop close to the hospital. Because KKH is a busy specialist hospital for women and children, the children’s ENT clinic is within the wider campus, so check your appointment letter for the clinic and level.

If you travel by car or taxi, KKH has a visitor carpark, with taxi and ride-hailing drop-off at the main entrance. Travelling with young children, it helps to allow extra time for parking and to bring a pram or carrier as needed. Staff at the main lobby can direct you to the children’s ENT centre and arrange assistance if required.

What paediatric ENT covers

Paediatric ENT focuses on ear, nose and throat conditions in children, and Dr Koh’s stated focus is paediatric airway problems and snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea in children. Children’s airways are smaller and still developing, so conditions that would be minor in adults can have a greater effect. Common problems include enlarged tonsils and adenoids, recurrent throat and ear infections, glue ear affecting hearing, and noisy or difficult breathing.

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea in children can disturb sleep and, if untreated, affect behaviour, concentration and growth. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a frequent cause and may be treated surgically where appropriate. Airway conditions cover a range of problems from birth-related narrowing to difficulties after illness, and assessment focuses on how breathing, feeding, sleep and hearing are affected, with care tailored to the child’s age and development. Because children cannot always describe their symptoms, much of the assessment relies on what parents notice at home, such as restless or noisy sleep, mouth breathing, frequent infections or difficulty hearing, and care is explained in practical terms so families know what to watch for and when to seek review.

What to expect at a consultation

A first visit usually begins with a history from the parent or carer about the child’s symptoms, breathing during sleep, snoring, infections, feeding and any concerns about hearing or speech. The specialist will examine the ears, nose and throat gently, in a way suited to the child’s age, sometimes using a small camera if the child can tolerate it.

Depending on the concern, investigations may include a hearing test or a sleep study to assess breathing during sleep. The specialist will explain the findings to the family and discuss options, which may range from watchful waiting and medical treatment to surgery such as removal of the tonsils and adenoids where this is appropriate. Care is explained in terms parents can act on.

Preparing for your appointment

• The child’s identification or birth certificate and any GP, polyclinic or hospital referral letter.
• The child’s health booklet, immunisation record and any previous ENT or hearing records.
• A list of the child’s current medicines.
• A note of symptoms, including snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, infections and any concerns about hearing or speech.
• If possible, a short video of the child’s noisy breathing or snoring during sleep can be helpful.
• Questions you would like to ask, and comfort items to settle a young child.

After your consultation and follow-up

You may leave with a treatment plan, a request for a hearing test or sleep study, or a plan towards surgery, with a review to discuss results. Many childhood ENT conditions are monitored over time as the child grows, and some improve naturally. If an operation such as removing the tonsils and adenoids is recommended, the team will explain the procedure, recovery and follow-up care for your child.

Continuity helps with recurrent infections and ongoing breathing or hearing concerns. You may seek a second opinion at any time. Seek urgent care if a child has severe difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, marked difficulty swallowing or drooling, or breathing pauses during sleep that worry you.

Booking, referrals and fees

As KKH is a public hospital, a GP, polyclinic or hospital referral is generally needed and can help you access subsidised rates if your child is eligible. Appointments are arranged through the hospital’s specialist outpatient system. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply to eligible procedures and hospital stays within set limits, while routine consultations are commonly paid out of pocket. Costs depend on the tests and treatment needed, so confirm fees and subsidy with the hospital in advance.

Common questions

Why do children get sleep apnoea?

In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids are a common cause of obstructive sleep apnoea, narrowing the airway during sleep.

How is children’s sleep apnoea diagnosed?

Through a history, examination and, where needed, a sleep study that measures breathing during sleep.

Does my child always need surgery?

Not always. Some conditions are monitored or treated medically; surgery such as removing the tonsils and adenoids is considered when appropriate.

Do I need a referral for KKH?

For a public hospital clinic a referral from a GP, polyclinic or hospital is generally needed and may help you qualify for subsidised rates if eligible.

Related guides

• Children’s hearing screening
• Sore throat & tonsillitis

Sources & verification

• KKH doctor profile
• KKH Children's ENT Centre

See also: our editorial directory of ENT specialists in Singapore and our shortlist of ENT 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.