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Dr Ioannis A. Dimitropoulos

MD, MSc, PGDip, FRCPCH(UK) | Developmental Paediatrician

To me, Developmental Paediatrics is about much more than making a diagnosis. It is about understanding how each child thinks, communicates, interacts with others and learns, in order to recognise their strengths as well as the challenges they face. My clinical practice is founded on evidence-based medicine, multidisciplinary collaboration and an individualised understanding of every child. I believe that a comprehensive developmental assessment should do more than identify a diagnosis; it should provide a clear understanding of a child's developmental profile and form the basis for practical, meaningful recommendations that support their everyday functioning and long-term development. Working closely with families, schools and therapists is a fundamental part of my approach, ensuring that assessment findings translate into coordinated, realistic and effective support for each child.

Education and Clinical Experience

My professional journey has been shaped by training and clinical practice in both Greece and the United Kingdom. Over several years, I trained and worked within specialised NHS Community (Developmental) Paediatrics services, gaining extensive experience in the assessment and management of children with complex neurodevelopmental conditions. This experience allowed me to work alongside multidisciplinary teams from a wide range of specialties and to develop a holistic, family-centred approach to developmental assessment and long-term care.

I graduated from the School of Medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed a Master's degree in Clinical Paediatrics – Research at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. I completed my Paediatric residency at Ptolemaida General Hospital and the Second Department of Paediatrics at "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital in Athens.

I subsequently spent three years undertaking advanced clinical training in Developmental Paediatrics, Neurodisability and Community Paediatrics in the United Kingdom. During this period, I also completed the Paediatric Neurodisability Diploma at Sheffield Children's Hospital, accredited by the British Academy of Childhood Disability, further strengthening my expertise in the assessment and management of complex neurodevelopmental disorders.

Throughout my training and subsequent clinical career in the UK, I worked in specialised Developmental Paediatrics services within the NHS, including Barts Health NHS Trust, Evelina London Children's Hospital and East London NHS Foundation Trust, where I assessed and followed children and young people with a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions.

As a Consultant Community Paediatrician at the Newham Child Development Service, I led the Developmental Paediatrics clinic and served as the medical lead for the multidisciplinary team involved in the diagnostic assessment of autism spectrum disorder.

In parallel, I collaborated with the North Thames Genomics Hub at Great Ormond Street Hospital, supporting the development and delivery of genomic services for children with complex neurodevelopmental disorders across East London. 

I also continue to work with Autism Clinic London, an independent specialist service providing multidisciplinary assessments for autism spectrum disorder.

My clinical experience also includes working with socially vulnerable and culturally diverse populations, with a particular focus on public health, safeguarding, and close collaboration with education, social care and child and adolescent mental health services.

Training in Assessment Tools

I have received training in, and have experience using, a range of specialised assessment tools for the evaluation of neurodevelopmental and cognitive difficulties, including:

  • ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised)

  • ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition)

  • Griffiths III (Griffiths Scales of Child Development)

  • Bayley-4 (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition)

  • Athina Test for the Assessment of Learning Difficulties

  • Raven's Progressive Matrices

Research

  1. Dimitropoulos I, Sule-Ejeh J, Katz F, Studart D, Ahmed A, Landon G, Clark E, Beckmann J. Whole Genome Sequencing in Community Paediatrics. British Association for Community Child Health (BACCH) Annual Scientific Meeting, Glasgow, 09-10/10/2024.
  2. Dikou M, Xanthos T, Dimitropoulos I, Iliodromiti Z, Sokou R, Kafalidis G, Boutsikou T, Iacovidou N. Routine Tracheal Intubation and Meconium Suctioning in Non-Vigorous Neonates with Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Diagnostics 2022;12(4):881. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12040881
  3. Paltoglou G, Dimitropoulos I (equal first author), Kourlaba G, Charmandari E. Τhe effect of treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on linear growth and adult height in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS): a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2020;33(12):1577-1588. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2020-0287 

Professional Memberships

  • Member of the Hellenic Society of Developmental Paediatricians

  • Member of the European Academy of Childhood-onset Disability (EACD)

  • Member of the British Association for Community Child Health (BACCH)

  • Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH)

  • Registered with the General Medical Council (UK) with Specialist Registration in Paediatrics and a Licence to Practise

  • Member of the Athens Medical Association