The 4th Pediatric Clinic of the Medical Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, was founded in 1986, by the inter-ministerial decision A3b/oik.4407/5.3.86 (Government Gazette 142/2.4.86 Vol.B) and was established at the University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA. In 2003, with the decree no. Y4a/26854/03/03.04.03 (Government Gazette 396/04.04.03 τ. B΄) decision of the Ministers of National Education and Religious Affairs and Health and Welfare, it was decided to relocate and operate in the General Hospital of PAPAGEORGIOU.

The 4th Pediatric Clinic aims to serve clinical, teaching and research needs in the field of Pediatrics:

In particular:

Α) The provision of medical care and hospitalisation to newborns, infants, children and adolescents up to 16 years of age suffering from any pathological conditios. These health services cover all activities relating to clinical diagnosis, paraclinical and laboratory investigation, treatment and general rehabilitation of patients' health and the prevention of childhood diseases.

Β) The promotion of health of the mother-child with teaching, research, laboratory and other scientific activities on all childhood diseases.

C)  The provision of educational and research work Project. In particular:

Ι. The educational work includes:

a) The training of students of the Department of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the Military School of Corps Officers (M.O.S.A.S.) as well as medical students from abroad in the implementation of European and Transnational Agreements (e.g. Erasmus, Helmsic etc.)educational programmes.

b) The training of medical residents for the acquisition of the specialty of Pediatrics. Their training is divided into practical and theoretical parts and aims at gaining experience in diagnostics and therapeutics. Theoretical training includes clinical and theoretical courses, lectures, invited lectures by members of the teaching staff or other sciences, discussion of interesting cases, clinicopathological discussions, bibliographical information, teaching visits by the Director and other members of the teaching staff, training seminars, round tables and scientific conferences. The internship includes clinical assessment, systematic monitoring and comprehensive treatment of patients.

c) The training of specialised paediatricians. Their training is theoretical and practical. The theoretical part includes lectures, tutorials, bibliographic information, presentations and discussions on interesting cases. Practical training include participation in the application of diagnostic and therapeutic methods and the acquisition of experience in the specific field in which they specialise. 

d) The training of doctors or other scientists in the context of the preparation of doctoral theses or other scientific work.

e) The training of nursing students and the continuing education of nursing staff in cooperation with the respective nursing schools.

f) The training in Pediatrics of medical residents of other specialties in the framework of continuing medical education.

g) The training of medical specialists, paediatricians and other medical specialities in special subjects.

II. The research work includes the conduct of clinical and experimental studies by the faculty members, either independently or in collaboration with other faculty members or researchers, and their publication, as well as original doctoral theses, under the supervision of the Director, with the aim of more effective treatment of various diseases of Pediatrics and with the ultimate goal of improving the care provided to patients.

The published research work of the active faculty members of the clinic can be found at the following link:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=panagopoulou+p+OR+fotoulaki+m+OR+Tramma+D+OR+Papadopoulou-Legbelou+K+OR+Papadopoulou-Alataki+E

 G D' Pediatric Clinic is composed of:

α) Special Units, b) Special Departments , c) Laboratory structures, and d) Outpatient Clinics of General Pediatrics and Special Departments/Units.

1. Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition which includes the Paediatric Endoscopy Unit, the Digestive Mobility Unit, the Nutrition and Enteral Feeding Unit and the Cystic Fibrosis Unit (of the Interdisciplinary Cystic Fibrosis Centre of the Faculty of Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). Prot. A17773/15.01.2009)
2. Department of Pediatric Neurology, which includes the Unit of Developmental and Autism, the Unit of Neurodegenerative and Metabolic Diseases and the Unit of Ketogenic Diet
3. Paediatric Immunology Unit
4. Paediatric Nephrology Unit
5. Paediatric Cardiology Unit
6. Paediatric Haematology Unit
7. Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit
8. Paediatric Pulmonology Unit
9. Laboratory Ultrasound and Holter Rate Structure
10. Laboratory Structure of Electroencephalography

The clinic operates the following OUTPATIENT CLINICS

1. Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
2. Cystic fibrosis
3. Sweat test
4. Paediatric Immunology
5. Pediatric Cardiology and Ultrasound Laboratory
6. Paediatric Nephrology
7. Paediatric Haematology
8. General Pediatrics
9. Paediatric Pulmonology (to be developed)
10. Paediatric Endocrinology (to be developed)
11. Paediatric Neurology (to be developed)

COLLABORATIONS

There is constant cooperation with the other departments of the Hospital, which cover the whole spectrum of clinical, laboratory and imaging examination, and in particular, with the B ʼ Clinic of Paediatric Surgery of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Bʼ Neonatology Clinic and NICU of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Aʼ Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Urology Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the ENT Clinic of the University of Thessaloniki, the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University of Thessaloniki, the Dermatology Clinic of the University of Thessaloniki, as well as the Cardiology Clinic, the Gastroenterology Department of the First Pathology Clinic, the Neurosurgery Clinic, the Haematology Laboratory and Clinic of the Papageorgiou Hospital, etc.

There is also close cooperation with the Social Service of the Hospital to meet the needs of the hospitalized children.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

1. Conducting research studies
2. Participation in multicentre national and international studies
3. Scientific publications and conference presentations
4. Organisation of scientific events
5. Preparation of doctoral theses

INPATIENT BED CAPACITY: Developed 35 / 40

CLASSROOM : 2nd floor

HOSPITAL SCHOOL TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN 

DEPARTMENTS - LABORATORIES

Α. DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY, HEPATOLOGY AND NUTRITION  
Responsible : Maria Fotoulaki, Director - Professor of Pediatrics -

Paediatric Gastroenterology

Partners: Fotini Sotiriadou, Pediatrician, PhD, Academic Fellow 

Efstratios Saliakellis, Pediatrician, PhD, Specialist

Contributor    

Kyriaki Tentzidou, Pediatrician, Am. Scientific Associate

Olga Nikolaidou, Pediatrician, Am. Scientific Associate

It is the oldest department in Northern Greece, with a record of patients from the 1980s. A large number of patients with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and hepatopathies, while children with acute and chronic diseases of the digestive tract and liver from all over Northern Greece are diagnosed. It is in close cooperation to the neonatal intensive care unit and the Pediatric Surgery Clinic of the hospital. The unit consists of

Α. The special outpatient clinic of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Β. The special laboratory for movement and functional disorders of the digestive system

C. The Pediatric Endoscopy Unit.

D. The inpatient wards located in the 4th Pediatric Clinic.

The department also includes. Cystic Fibrosis Unit (of the Interdisciplinary Cystic Fibrosis Centre of the Medical School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, No. Prot. A17773/15.01.2009)

The unit offers health services to children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis and adults who are in the process of transitioning to an adult centre. The unit consists of an outpatient clinic with a waiting area, an examination/diagnostic department and inpatient wards (within the 4th Pediatric Clinic). The diagnostic department is equipped to carry out the following tests:

Α. Sweat test

Β. Spirometry

Γ. Esophageal ph

D. Lipometry and other nutritional assessment measurements.

Ε. Exhalation tests

In the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, doctoral theses are being conducted (6 have been completed and 2 are in progress)

Β. SECTION  PEDIATRIC IMMUNOLOGY

Responsible: Efimia Papadopoulou-Alataki, Professor of Pediatrics-

Paediatric Immunology

Collaborators : Kyriaki Chiona , Am. Bursar. Hospital Associate 

Panagiota Karananou, Pediatrician, PhD, Registrar B'

Olga Vambertzi, Paediatrician, Registrar B΄ assistant

Elizabeth Hideridou, Nurse

The unit carries out clinical, teaching and research work in the field of Pediatric Immunology. It provides health services to newborns, infants, children and adolescents with immunological problems in order to investigate, diagnose, treat and prevent diseases of the immune system.

Children and adolescents with primary immunodeficiencies, autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases are either hospitalized or examined at the Special Pediatric Immunology Outpatient Clinic where they are monitored on a long-term basis. Since 2010, the training of adolescents and parents of children with Primary Immunodeficiencies in the administration of subcutaneous g-globulin formulation for the purpose of home self-therapy is going on.

The department has already completed one PhD thesis and is currently working on two more.

Γ. DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY

Responsible: Kyriaki Papadopoulou-Legbelou-An. Professor of Pediatrics - Pediatric Cardiology

Partners: Maria Kauga, PhD, Registrar Pediatrician with specialization in Pediatric Cardiology

M. Lampropoulou - Nutritionist, Associate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

The Paediatric Cardiology Diagnostic Laboratory operates in regular outpatient clinics and serves pediatric patients with cardiac problems (congenital and acquired heart disease), as well as monitoring children with hypercholesterolemia. 

The patients examined are inpatients at the 4th Pediatric or 2nd Pediatric Surgery Clinic, or outpatients. There is also a paediatric cardiology assessment of newborns in the 2nd Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as service to patients from other hospitals.

The current equipment of the outpatient clinic includes:

α) Ultrasonic cardiograph with one Pediatric head (5 mHz) and one Linear head

     for carotid Doppler

b) Three-channel electrocardiograph

c) Electronic pressure gauge

d) 24-hour ECG recorder (Holter rhythm).

e) patient file (complete echocardiogram file, or cardiac echocardiogram card

    monitoring of children with hypercholesterolemia)

Three Doctoral Theses are currently in progress in the department

 

D. SECTION  PAEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY

Responsible: Despina Tramma, Associate Professor of Pediatrics -

Pediatric Nephrology.

The paediatric nephrology department has organized outpatient clinics where patients with anatomical anomalies of the urinary tract (in collaboration with the paediatric surgery clinic), congenital kidney diseases and syndromes are monitored, acute and chronic glomerulonephritis and tubulopathies, urinary tract infections, metabolic and autoimmune diseases affecting renal function, enuresis, urolithiasis, acute kidney injury and chronic kidney injury of the prostatic stage.

Patients who need hospitalization are admitted to the 4th Pediatric Clinic. The department provides consultative assessments to patients admitted to the 2nd ICU of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the 2nd University Clinic of Pediatric Surgery of our hospital.

In terms of research, the department participates n multicentric studies of the European Society of Paediatric Neurology (ESPN).

There are currently 2 Doctoral Dissertations in progress.

Ε. DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRIC HAEMATOLOGY

Responsible: Paraskevi Panagopoulou - Assistant Professor of Pediatrics - Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

The section Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, deals with the diagnosis and treatment of haematological diseases of neonatal, infant, childhood and adolescence, such as: quantitative and qualitative disorders of blood cell lines and haemostasis. The department also investigates and diagnoses neoplastic blood diseases and benign and malignant solid tumours.

The department also offers consulting services on related issues to other clinics of the hospital, such as the Pediatric Surgery Clinic, Neonatology Clinic and NICU, as well as other clinics, such as ENT, Ophthalmology, etc.

The clinic also has a regular Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit, which aims to diagnose, treat and monitor hematological diseases and provide consultation for oncology patients outside the hospital.

H. DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL PAEDIATRICS

Panagiota Karananou, Paediatrician, PhD, Associate Registrar Physician

Olga Vambertzi, Paediatrician, Assistant Registrar

Sophia Markidou, Pediatrician, Assistant Registrar 

F. SECTION  PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
Under development

Ζ. SECTION  PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY
Olga-Maria Matsika, Pediatrician, PhD, Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinologist,

Specialist Research Associate

 

H. SECTION  PEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY

Under development

 

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (T.E.P.):  

Participation of the Clinic in the general on duty schedule of the hospital.