Dr Dion Alexandrou, FRCPCH, MRCP (UK), MD(Res)
Consultant in Paediatrics & Neonatal Medicine
The Portland Hospital, 215 Great Portland Street, W1W 5PN
St John & Elizabeth Hospital, 60 Grove End Rd, NW8 9NH
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About Dr Alexandrou
Dr D Alexandrou
I am a consultant paediatrician at Moorfields Children NHS Trust and the Portland Hospital for Women and Children, London, accredited in General Paediatrics on the UK specialist register since 2004. I have enjoyed a 30-year career dedicated in Children’s Health and well-being in an international and multi-cultural background in two countries, across two continents, the UK and Canada.
As a parent of two school age children I fully understand how distressing is for parents to deal with their children’s health and I am wholeheartedly committed to be available for advice, treatment and reassurance to my patients and families.
I consult on all aspects of children’s health, from newborn infants to teenage years, and I offer well baby checks, advice on immunization, and uniquely, advice to prospective parents. My private practice is based at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children and the Harley Street Clinic, HCA London, and my NHS base is the Moorfields Hospital Children’s Centre, London.
Why visit us
I strive to provide the best care for your child, and as a committed professional and the father of two young children I offer my medical expertise with an abundance of compassion for my little patients and their families. My consultations are child-centred, allowing you and your child enough time to fully discuss your concerns and ensuring that you are fully participating in the management decision making. My medical reports follow my consultations in a timely manner and you will have the opportunity to contact me for further clarification.
Experience
I have held senior NHS appointments in leading paediatric centres in the UK since September 2005, including the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Trust, London, and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore.
I held an academic appointment as Clinical Lecturer in Paediatrics at St George’s Medical School, London, from 1997 to 2002, where I lectured Paediatrics in St George’s Medical School and contacted my research. I also held an appointment as Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Imperial College, London (2010-2013), where I continued research on lung development.
I am currently appointed Consultant Paediatrician and the Named Doctor for Safeguarding Children at the Richard Desmond Children’s Hospital, Moorfields NHS Trust, London (substantive post since January 2015). I care and manage children with diverse clinical conditions, often in close collaboration with sub-specialty paediatric consultant colleagues from other tertiary referral centres, such as the Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Evelina Children’s Hospital, the Royal London Hospital, the Royal Brompton Hospital, and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
I have a special interest in Infections and Immunity in children and I recently completed the Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccinations, Oxford University (2014-2016).
I am an Instructor and Medical Director for the Neonatal Life Support (NLS) course of the Resuscitation Council UK, lecturing and also directing this course in the care of the newborn baby at a national level across the UK.
Areas of expertise
- Examination of the newborn infant
- Monitoring of growth & development during the first years of life
- Feeding problems and gastro-oesophageal reflux in infants
- Expert advice on immunization
- Problems of airways and lungs: chronic cough and wheeziness, early asthma, ear and throat infections
- Investigation & management of urinary tract infections, skin and eye infections
- Skin problems in children: eczema, allergic reactions, skin infections
- Investigation and management of headaches in children
- Investigation and management of limping in children
- Investigation and management of acute and chronic abdominal pain in children
Education & Training
I graduated from Athens University Medical School and I undertook my entire clinical training in some of the UK’s leading hospitals, including the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and St George’s Hospital in London. I completed my higher specialist paediatric training in South West London Deanery and I was awarded the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in Paediatrics, in March 2004. I expanded my experience in Canada, where I was appointed Clinical Fellow in Perinatal-Neonatal Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, from September 1996 to September 1997.
Qualifications
- MD, Athens University Medical School.
- Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training, SW London Deanery.
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH)
- Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP UK)
- Research Doctorate (MD Res), University of London
- Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Oxford University
Membership of Specialist Societies
- British Medical Association (BMA)
- Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health
- Royal College of Physicians, London
- Neonatal Society, UK
- British Association of Perinatal Medicine
- Editorial Board Member of “Therapeutic Advances in Rare Diseases”
- The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, City of London
Services
Areas of expertise
Examination of the newborn infant
Monitoring of growth & development during the first years of life
Feeding problems and gastro-oesophageal reflux in infants
Jaundice in infants
Expert advice on immunization
Problems of airways and lungs: chronic cough and wheeziness, early asthma,
Infections (urine infections, ear infections, tonsilitis, eye infections)
Skin problems in children: eczema, allergic reactions, skin infections
Investigation and management of headaches in children
Investigation and management of limping in children
Acute and chronic abdominal pain in children
I offer a comprehensive service of monitoring of growth and development during the first two years of life. All newborn babies should have a detailed examination within 48-72 hours after birth, and at 6-8 weeks of age. This will ensure that the process of adaptation to post-natal life is progressing smoothly, feeding is fully established, growth is satisfactory and that the newborn is achieving developmental milestones as expected. Children’s developmental progression should be then monitored for key developmental milestones at 3, 6, 9-12 and 18 months, together with monitoring of growth and nutrition.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux, often silent, and underlying evolving milk protein intolerance/allergy associated with feeding issues are not uncommon in infants, and frequently misdiagnosed as “colic”, with delays in management. Prompt diagnosis and timely management is essential to help infants achieve their growth and developmental potentials and to avoid missing critical “windows of opportunity” of body and brain development early in life. I have extensive experience in dealing with issues related to early nutrition & growth in infants, at this critical period of life.
Immunization is a major part of children’s health and well-being. I have recently completed the Diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccination at Oxford University and I offer authoritative and up to date advice on a number of issues related to individual vaccines (safety & efficacy of vaccines), and on vaccinations programmes, as they apply between countries globally.
I offer expert advice on the evaluation and management of persistent headaches in children, with access to the most modern facilities and sub-specialty services, if needed. I am dealing with children with headaches due to a wide spectrum of conditions, including migraine, tension headaches, eye problems and underlying brain abnormalities in my joint neuro-ophthalmology clinics at Moorfields.
I offer expert advice for the prompt investigation and management of acute and recurrent infections of the respiratory tract, ear and throat infections, urinary tract infections, skin and eye infections. If needed, I liaise with subspecialty colleagues for further investigation of underlying immune issues.
I have extensive experience in the management of a variety of common conditions affecting the airways and lungs in children, including chronic persistent cough and wheeziness, early asthma and bronchiolitis in infants, in particular ex-premature infants who are prone to airway and lung problems early in life.
This is an innovative service offered to prospective parents. It draws from my experience in antenatal consultations as a consultant neonatologist and member of a specialist medical multidisciplinary team for the management of high risk pregnancies, and it offers the opportunity to prospective parents to discuss issues related to their expected baby in advance, and to help you prepare a smooth and enjoyable parenting experience.
Feel Safe! Sleep well.
Questions & Answers
VACCINES
Q: Can my child have the routine vaccines with Dr Alexandrou?
A: Yes. We offer all the routine vaccines according to the UK schedule and we can also advise on how to incorporate foreign vaccines schedules in the UK schedule.
Q: What extra vaccines can you offer for my child?
A: The commonest extra vaccines over the UK schedule are the chicken pox vaccine and the BCG vaccine and Dr Alexandrou can provide for both. The BCG vaccine can be given any time from birth to the age of 5 years without the need for skin testing. The chicken pox vaccine is given after the age of 13 months.
Q: Can we have travel vaccines?
A: We do not provide for travel vaccines and we advise to contact specialist clinics for that.
Q: Can getting so many vaccines at once harm my baby?
A: There is no evidence of any harm from the use of three of four vaccines simultaneously.
Q: How soon after vaccination is given it is protective?
A: On average your baby will need approximately two weeks for some protection to start developing, so, if you are planning travelling, please make allowance for that.
NEWBORN CHECKS
Q: Can we have the routine newborn screen?
A: You can have your baby’s newborn examination any time after birth, but it is advisable to have it within the first couple of days from birth. Newborn babies should have had a first examination prior to discharge from the maternity units.
Q: Can we have the 6-8 week baby screen?
A: Yes, we offer the 6-8 week examination, which is an important examination of the newborn, designed to complement the newborn examination after the adaptation of the newborn to extra-uterine life is fully completed.
INFANT FOLLOW UP
Q: What follow-up do you routinely offer to infants/children?
A: We offer detailed assessment of infant growth & development at specific points in time, at 3 months, 6 months, 9-12 months and 18 months.
WEANING TO SOLIDS & MILK ALLERGIES ADVICE
Q: Can I get advice on how to wean my child to solid food?
A: Yes. This is part of our regular assessment of infants at 3-4 months and we usually revisit it with the parents at 6 months.
Q: My baby is allergic to milk protein, can I get advice on breastfeeding?
A: We provide advice and guidance on how to proceed with breastfeeding in babies with intolerance/allergy to milk protein. Our aim is to support the breastfeeding mothers into a smooth process of enjoyable breastfeeding of an allergic infant.
BLOOD TESTING
Q: If blood testing is needed for my child, can I have it?
A: We organise for blood testing if needed, at the end of the consultation, however, we advise that parents with requests for blood testing to book appointments earlier rather than the end of the working day (before 5:30 pm), given that most children will need application of a local anaesthetic cream for about 45 minutes prior to blood sampling.
Q:How can we discuss blood (or other test) results?
If the results are complicated and need extensive face to face consultation you need to book a follow up appointment. If the results are straightforward, we can arrange a telephone consultation, if you wish, via your insurance.
What skin conditions are you managing?
Eczema & allergic skin reactions are the commonest skin issues and we can deal with.
Dr Alexandrou photos
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Private Practices
The Portland Hospital
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
Contact Dr Alexandrou
Office
215 Great Portland Street, 2nd Floor, Room 7, London, W1W 5PN
DrAlexandrou@gmail.com
Tel: Appointments/Queries
P.A: 0774 7010 614
HCA Call Centre: 0207 0794 344