Neonatologist -Pediatrics at Faculty of Medicine Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Dr. Maria Lithoxopoulou is an esteemed Assistant Professor of Paediatrics-Neonatology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. With over 17 years of clinical experience as a Consultant Neonatologist, she has made significant contributions to neonatal care, focusing on neonatal infections, retinopathy of prematurity, and neonatal nutrition. She holds a Ph.D. in Neonatal Infections and an MBA in Health Administration, showcasing a blend of clinical, research, and administrative expertise. Her research is widely recognized, with 27 published articles, 79 citations, and a Scopus h-index of 5. She has collaborated with various national and international researchers to improve neonatal healthcare outcomes. Her contributions extend beyond neonatology to include ophthalmology, pediatric nutrition, and maternal health, demonstrating a broad and interdisciplinary research approach. Dr. Lithoxopoulou is fluent in Greek and English, with strong technical skills in Microsoft Office and data analysis. Her dedication to academia and research makes her a key figure in advancing neonatal healthcare practices. She is committed to improving neonatal treatment protocols, optimizing drug delivery for preterm infants, and reducing neonatal complications through evidence-based research. With a passion for both clinical and academic excellence, she continues to impact neonatology and pediatrics significantly.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Maria Lithoxopoulou has a strong academic background in medicine and healthcare management. She earned her Degree in Medicine from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Medicine, Greece, in 1994, which laid the foundation for her career in pediatrics and neonatology. She later obtained a License to Practice in Paediatrics in 2003, allowing her to specialize in neonatal care. To further advance her expertise, she pursued a Ph.D. in Neonatal Infections, focusing on Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription in Neonatal Infection, which she completed in 2012 at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In addition to her medical training, she obtained an MBA in Health Administration (2017), which equipped her with the necessary skills to manage and lead healthcare units effectively. She later acquired a Medical Specialty in Neonatology after passing rigorous exams. Her multifaceted education combines clinical, research, and administrative expertise, enabling her to contribute significantly to neonatal medicine, hospital management, and academic research. Dr. Lithoxopoulou’s commitment to education and continuous learning has allowed her to excel in both research and patient care, making her a leading figure in the field of pediatric neonatology.
Professional Experience
Dr. Maria Lithoxopoulou has a distinguished career in neonatology, with extensive experience in both clinical practice and academic research. She began her professional journey as a Consultant Neonatologist at General Hospital of G. Papageorgiou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she served from 2005 to 2022. During her tenure, she played a critical role in treating preterm and critically ill newborns, optimizing neonatal care protocols, and improving neonatal survival rates. In 2022, she transitioned into academia as an Assistant Professor in Paediatrics-Neonatology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she continues to mentor medical students, supervise research projects, and contribute to cutting-edge neonatal research. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in pediatric healthcare, focusing on neonatal infections, retinopathy of prematurity, neonatal nutrition, and early neonatal sepsis management. Her expertise extends to hospital administration, research project management, and neonatal pharmacology, allowing her to bridge the gap between clinical care and medical research. Dr. Lithoxopoulou’s contributions have enhanced neonatal treatment protocols, improved screening techniques for neonatal diseases, and shaped the next generation of neonatologists and pediatricians. Her dedication to both patient care and scientific advancement makes her a leading expert in her field.
Research Interests
Dr. Maria Lithoxopoulou’s primary research interests lie in the field of neonatology, with a strong focus on neonatal infections, neonatal ophthalmology, and neonatal nutrition. She has conducted extensive research on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), exploring innovative screening techniques, drug delivery methods, and treatment outcomes. Her work also delves into neonatal sepsis, thrombocytopenia, and the effects of maternal health on neonatal outcomes, providing valuable insights into early disease detection and intervention strategies. In addition, she has a growing interest in neonatal pharmacology, particularly in optimizing drug delivery methods for preterm infants to improve treatment efficacy. Dr. Lithoxopoulou is also involved in research concerning pediatric nutrition and the prevention of neonatal malnutrition, emphasizing the role of maternal education in child growth and development. Her interdisciplinary approach has led her to collaborate with researchers in ophthalmology, public health, and biomedical sciences, broadening the impact of her work beyond neonatology. She is committed to advancing evidence-based practices in neonatal care by developing new clinical guidelines, conducting systematic reviews, and engaging in large-scale neonatal health studies. Her research significantly contributes to improving neonatal healthcare standards worldwide.
Research Skills
Dr. Maria Lithoxopoulou possesses advanced research skills in neonatology, clinical trials, and medical data analysis. She has expertise in study design, statistical analysis, and systematic reviews, allowing her to conduct high-quality, evidence-based research. She is proficient in using Scopus, ORCID, and Google Scholar for literature review and citation tracking. Her research skills include quantitative and qualitative data analysis, with experience in handling clinical datasets and patient records to draw meaningful conclusions. She has conducted randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses, particularly in neonatal ophthalmology, neonatal pharmacology, and neonatal infections. Additionally, she is skilled in scientific writing and publishing, with 27 published papers in peer-reviewed journals. She collaborates with multidisciplinary research teams, contributing to studies that impact neonatal healthcare on a global scale. Dr. Lithoxopoulou is also adept at grant writing and securing research funding, helping to advance her work in neonatology. With strong skills in Microsoft Office, PowerPoint presentations, and online research tools, she effectively communicates her findings at national and international conferences. Her expertise in data interpretation and clinical application makes her a valuable asset to neonatal research and academic medicine.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Maria Lithoxopoulou has received recognition for her contributions to neonatology and medical research. She has been acknowledged for her work in neonatal ophthalmology, particularly in improving screening techniques for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Her research on neonatal infections and thrombocytopenia has been cited as influential in shaping clinical guidelines for neonatal care. Additionally, she has participated in several national and international research projects, earning grants and funding for her innovative studies. Her dedication to neonatology has also been recognized through invitations to speak at international conferences, where she has presented her findings on neonatal pharmacology, neonatal nutrition, and early disease detection in preterm infants. She has contributed to high-impact medical journals and has played a key role in collaborative neonatal research initiatives. While her h-index (5) and citation count (79) are growing, her research continues to gain recognition in the scientific community. Her commitment to advancing neonatal healthcare through cutting-edge research, academic leadership, and clinical excellence makes her a strong candidate for prestigious research awards in pediatrics and neonatology.
Conclusion
Dr. Maria Lithoxopoulou is a highly accomplished neonatologist and researcher with a strong academic background, extensive clinical experience, and a significant research portfolio. Her work in neonatal infections, ophthalmology, and nutrition has led to valuable advancements in neonatal care and treatment protocols. With 27 research publications, a growing citation impact, and numerous contributions to neonatal medicine, she is a leading expert in her field. While she continues to expand her research influence, her commitment to academia, clinical excellence, and medical innovation makes her an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Publications Top Notes
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Determination of macronutrient profile and energy composition in human milk via Mid‐Infrared Spectrometer Analysis: An experimental study
- Authors: Maria Lithoxopoulou, Anastasia Gkampeta, Dimitrios Rallis, Katerina Tzafilkou, Eftychia Drogouti, Christos Tsakalidis
- Year: 2025
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A hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography – Tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of phenylephrine in dried blood spots from preterm infants
- Authors: E. Boutou, C. Virgiliou, A.K. Seliniotaki, M. Lithoxopoulou, A. Mataftsi, N. Ziakas, E. Diamanti, N. Raikos, H. Gika
- Year: 2022
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Avoiding use of lid speculum and indentation reduced infantile stress during retinopathy of prematurity examinations
- Authors: A. Mataftsi, M. Lithoxopoulou, A.K. Seliniotaki, P. Talimtzi, E. Oustoglou, E. Diamanti, V. Soubasi, N. Ziakas, A.-B. Haidich
- Year: 2022
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Population-Based Studies in Retinopathy of Prematurity and Screening Criteria Used
- Authors: Stella Moutzouri, Aikaterini K. Seliniotaki, Maria Lithoxopoulou, Anna-Bettina Haidich, Nikolaos Ziakas, Asimina Mataftsi
- Year: 2022
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Clinical chorioamnionitis and histologic placental inflammation: association with early-neonatal sepsis
- Authors: D. Rallis, M. Lithoxopoulou, S. Pervana, P. Karagianni, I. Hatziioannidis, V. Soubasi, C. Tsakalidis
- Year: 2021
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Efficacy and safety of mydriatic microdrops for retinopathy of prematurity screening: an external pilot crossover randomized controlled trial
- Authors: A.K. Seliniotaki, M. Lithoxopoulou, P. Talimtzi, E. Georgiou, E. Diamanti, N. Ziakas, A.-B. Haidich, A. Mataftsi
- Year: 2021
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Potential benefit from the implementation of the Kaiser Permanente neonatal early-onset sepsis calculator on clinical management of neonates with presumed sepsis
- Authors: I. Kopsidas, N.-M. Molocha, E. Kourkouni, S. Coffin, D. Gkentzi, E. Chorianopoulou, G. Dimitriou, A. Kapetanaki, G. Karavana, M. Lithoxopoulou, et al.
- Year: 2021
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Reducing duration of antibiotic use for presumed neonatal early-onset sepsis in Greek NICUs: A “low-hanging fruit” approach
- Authors: I. Kopsidas, G.-C. Tsopela, N.-M. Molocha, E. Bouza, E. Chorafa, E. Chorianopoulou, V. Giapros, D. Gkentzi, T. Gkouvas, A. Kapetanaki, et al.
- Year: 2021
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A neonate with intrauterine growth restriction and pseudo-Bartter syndrome due to severe maternal eating disorder: A case report
- Authors: E. Babatseva, I. Chatziioannidis, A.A. Tagaraki, D. Tramma, K. Dampala, E. Chatzitoliou, E. Papacharalambous, G. Mitsiakos, C. Tsakalidis, P. Karagianni, et al.
- Year: 2020
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Alternative mydriasis techniques for retinopathy of prematurity screening
- Authors: A.K. Seliniotaki, E. Prousali, M. Lithoxopoulou, S. Kokkali, N. Ziakas, V. Soubasi, A. Mataftsi
- Year: 2020