Hungarian honour for Sidra physician

Sidra Medical and Research Center’s neonatology division chief Dr Istvan Seri has been feted as an honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Science, it was announced yesterday.The award is reserved for distinguished Hungarian academicians and scholars who have made internationally recognised contributions to various fields of science. Dr Seri is in charge of the Neonatology Prenatal Consultation Clinic at the Sidra Outpatient Clinic. He was nominated for his work in developmental cardiovascular physiology and neonatal haemodynamics and neonatal shock.The vast body of his research focused on neonatal transition from in-utero life to postnatal life. Neonatology is a subspeciality of paediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially if they are ill or premature. “The Hungarian Academy of Science has many leading scientists, researchers and clinicians in its midst. It is a source of pride for me to be recognised by peers from our profession. I am honoured to receive the recognition. However, the ultimate reward is to see the culmination of my research positively impact on saving lives, during every step of a baby’s journey from womb to delivery,” said Dr Seri.The Sidra Outpatient Clinic launched its Neonatology Prenatal Consultation Clinic on June 1 this year where Dr Seri and his team offer prenatal consultation services for pregnant women and their families with complex and high-risk pregnancies.The women and their families are given an opportunity to learn about the baby’s condition and the available treatment options after delivery or, if warranted, during pregnancy.  “Together with the bioinformatics team at Sidra, we are currently working to develop comprehensive early warning systems via monitoring and data acquisition. This will help us establish individualised medicine and treatment methods for neonatal patients at Sidra. I hope that we will contribute towards a stronger understanding of life-saving methods for neonates and offer treatment choices in a culturally sensitive and family-centred manner,” Dr Seri said.In addition to his role as division chief at Sidra, Dr Seri is also the vice chair of faculty development at the Department of Paediatrics and the professor of paediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar. For his research accomplishments, Dr Seri has been recognised as an international leader in the field of developmental cardiovascular physiology in general and neonatal hemodynamics and neonatal shock in particular. He has published over 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications, editorials, and chapters.