The history of the Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care of the NAMS of Ukraine dates back to the charitable organization “Drop of Milk”, established in Kharkiv in 1907 by an enthusiastic young physician, Semen M. Yampolskyi, who later became the first Director of the Institute.
Founded with the mission of improving child health and reducing infant mortality, the organization laid the foundation for the development of a specialized scientific and medical center dedicated to the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Over more than a century, the Institute has evolved into one of Ukraine’s leading institutions in pediatric research, clinical care, education, and public health.
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Director of the Institute 1922–1930 |
Professor Semen M. Yampolskyi (MD, DSc, Professor) was a distinguished pediatrician, scientist, and organizer of medical research, widely recognized both in Ukraine and internationally. He served as the first Director of the Institute and played a pivotal role in its establishment and development. From 1930 to 1941, Professor Yampolskyi headed the Department of Pediatrics of Infants during the First Year of Life at the Ukrainian Institute for Advanced Medical Training in Kharkiv. In the post-war years, his scientific work focused on the treatment of acute intestinal diseases in infants, the clinical application of blood transfusion and blood components, the prevention and treatment of rickets, and disorders of digestion and nutrition in early childhood. Professor Yampolskyi supervised six PhD candidates in medical sciences and authored two monographs and more than one hundred scientific publications, making a significant contribution to the development of pediatric medicine in Ukraine. |
The Institute obtained the status of a state research institution under Order No. 174 of the People's Commissariat of Health of Ukraine dated October 28, 1922. It became the first research institution in Ukraine dedicated to maternal and child health.
During its early years, the Institute focused on addressing some of the most pressing public health challenges of the time, including the reduction of maternal and infant mortality, development of healthcare services for women and children, organization of child nutrition programs, and training of healthcare professionals for preventive medicine. Considerable efforts were also directed toward promoting public health and hygiene education among the population.
Many of the scientific topics investigated by the Institute during the 1920s remain relevant today. Researchers studied the physiology and pathology of infants and young children, child psychophysiological development, and the impact of environmental and school conditions on children's health. Social aspects of child welfare also received significant attention. In 1923, the Institute established a legal advisory service dedicated to the protection of mothers' rights and the promotion of family and marriage legislation. In 1928, a Department of Social Hygiene and Pathology was created, and during the same period a specialized school-sanatorium for children with neuropsychiatric disorders was opened.
Within only five years of its establishment, the Institute had developed into a major scientific and medical center with its own infrastructure, clearly defined research priorities, and a growing influence on maternal and child healthcare policy in Ukraine.
Among the Institute's early achievements were the development and promotion of fermented milk products for infant nutrition, research on the prevention of hypogalactia, contributions to the organization of kindergartens, antenatal care clinics, and milk kitchens, as well as the training of scientific personnel and continuing education of healthcare professionals.
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Deputy Director for Research |
Mark I. Olevskyi was among the first researchers of the Institute and worked there from its establishment until the outbreak of World War II. During this period, he advanced from resident physician to Deputy Director for Research. His scientific work focused on the physiology and pathology of infants and young children, making him one of the pioneers of pediatric research in Ukraine in this field. Under his leadership, experimental studies were conducted on infant nutrition, child feeding practices, and methods of health promotion and physical conditioning. Particular attention was devoted to the use of fermented milk products in infant nutrition, including kefir. These studies formed the basis of his doctoral dissertation, “The Use of Kefir in Child Nutrition” (1940), which became an important contribution to pediatric nutrition science of that period. Following World War II, Professor Olevskyi continued his scientific career in Moscow, where he worked at the Central Research Institute of Pediatrics of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). |
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Professor Samuil Ya. Shafershtein (MD, DSc, Professor) was a distinguished pediatrician and one of the leading scientists of the Institute. He began his scientific career at the Institute in 1924 and worked there for more than twenty-five years, serving as Head of the Somatic Clinic and Deputy Director for Research. In 1937, he defended his doctoral dissertation entitled “The Pathogenesis of Toxic Syndrome in Acute Nutritional Disorders of Infants”, and in 1940 he was awarded the academic title of Professor in Pediatrics. Professor Shafershtein's research interests encompassed the physiology, pathology, and nutrition of infants and young children, infectious diseases, rheumatic disorders, and pediatric rehabilitation and spa medicine. A significant part of his scientific work was devoted to the clinical application of blood transfusion and blood components in pediatric practice. He authored more than 100 scientific publications, including 11 monographs, textbooks, and reference books. Under his supervision, six PhD dissertations in medicine were successfully completed. Professor Shafershtein made a substantial contribution to the advancement of pediatric science and the development of the Institute’s research traditions. |
During the 1930s, the Institute underwent a period of rapid growth and scientific development. New departments and laboratories were established under the leadership of prominent researchers, including M. I. Olevskyi, M. L. Koshkin, S. Ya. Shafershtein, L. M. Merkov, and V. I. Konstantynov. An experimental animal facility was created to support biomedical research, and leading scientists from other Kharkiv institutions, including H. V. Folbort, V. P. Vorobiov, and A. V. Nahornyi, were invited to collaborate with the Institute.
The expansion of the Institute was accompanied by the emergence of new research areas, among which rheumatic diseases became particularly important. During this period, the first pediatric rheumatology clinic, rheumatology outpatient dispensary, and specialized sanatorium in Ukraine were established. These initiatives laid the foundation for the development of pediatric rheumatology as a distinct field of medical science and clinical practice.
Researchers of the Institute also conducted pioneering studies on the indications and contraindications for blood transfusion and the use of blood components in severe infectious and somatic diseases. At the same time, fundamental investigations into the physiology and development of infants and young children continued to expand the Institute’s scientific reputation.
In 1936, the Institute launched its scientific journal “Protection of Motherhood and Childhood”. Beginning in 1938, the journal was published under the new title “Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology”, becoming one of the leading professional medical journals in Ukraine.
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Director of the Institute 1943–1948 |
Maria I. Korniienko (1902–?) graduated from the Pediatric Faculty of Kharkiv Medical Institute in 1936 and completed postgraduate training in Pediatrics at the Central Institute for Advanced Medical Training in 1940. At the Kharkiv Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health named after N. K. Krupska, she worked between 1936 and 1937 and again from 1940 to 1941, serving as a resident physician, junior researcher, and later Chief Physician of the Institute’s clinic. Following the liberation of Kharkiv during World War II, Maria Korniienko was appointed Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Health Department. In 1943, the People's Commissariat of Health of Ukraine entrusted her with the exceptionally challenging task of restoring the activities of the Kharkiv Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health after the devastation caused by the war. Only three months after the liberation of the city, she successfully organized the reopening of the Institute, laying the foundations for the revival of its scientific, clinical, and educational activities during the post-war period. Her leadership played a crucial role in preserving and rebuilding one of Ukraine’s leading pediatric research institutions. |
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Professor Semen A. Hil (1889–?) was one of Ukraine’s leading specialists in infant nutrition, neonatal care, and pediatrics. He graduated from the Kharkiv Veterinary Institute in 1915 and from the Kharkiv Medical Academy in 1921, specializing in pediatrics. He received the degree of Candidate of Medical Sciences in 1938 and defended his doctoral dissertation, “The Effect of Lactic Acid–Acidified Milk on Gastrointestinal Function,” in 1957. In 1961, he was awarded the academic title of Professor of Pediatrics. Professor Hil devoted his scientific career to the study of infant feeding, nutritional support for healthy and ill children, and the care of premature newborns. He became one of the country's leading experts in these fields and made a significant contribution to the development of evidence-based pediatric nutrition. He was the author of the monograph “Premature Infants and Their Care” as well as numerous methodological guidelines, textbooks, and reference publications. Professor Hil was among the pioneers who introduced fermented milk formulas, including kefir-based products, into infant nutrition. Ukraine became one of the first countries to implement these approaches in pediatric practice. Another important achievement was the development of a method for disinfecting the air in pediatric hospital wards using bactericidal ultraviolet lamps. This approach was widely adopted and continued to be used in children's healthcare facilities for many years. Professor Hil was also deeply committed to scientific mentoring. Under his supervision, one doctoral dissertation and eight PhD dissertations in medicine were successfully completed, contributing to the formation of a new generation of pediatric researchers and clinicians. |
During World War II, the Institute suffered severe losses. Its facilities, scientific infrastructure, archives, and library collections were largely destroyed.
However, immediately after the liberation of Kharkiv in 1943, efforts to restore the Institute began under the leadership of Director Maria I. Korniienko. Despite extremely difficult post-war conditions, laboratories and research departments were gradually re-established, and many former staff members returned to continue their scientific and clinical work, including Professors Hil, Rodkin, and Pyatyhorskyi.
The rapid restoration of the Institute demonstrated the dedication of its scientific community and ensured the continuation of pediatric research and healthcare services during the challenging post-war years.
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Director of the Institute 1948–1952 |
Antonina H. Lohunova (1899–?) graduated from the Faculty of Maternal and Child Health of Kharkiv Medical Institute in 1926 and qualified as an obstetrician-gynecologist. Following graduation, she worked in hospitals and antenatal care clinics, successfully combining clinical practice with scientific research. In 1947, she defended her Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertation entitled “Prevention of Postpartum Diseases Using Antireticular Cytotoxic Serum (ACS)”. From January 1948 to May 1952, Antonina Lohunova served as Director of the Kharkiv Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health named after N. K. Krupska. Her scientific interests focused on complications of pregnancy, maternal health, and the development of preventive strategies aimed at reducing pregnancy-related complications and maternal mortality. Under her leadership, the Institute attracted a new generation of talented graduates from Kharkiv Medical Institute, many of whom later became leading scientists in pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology, headed major university departments, and contributed significantly to the advancement of medical science in Ukraine. During World War II and the subsequent post-war reconstruction period, Antonina Lohunova demonstrated exceptional leadership and organizational skills in healthcare administration. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour and the Medal for Valiant Labour during World War II. In 1952, she was appointed to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine as Head of the Department for Medical and Preventive Care for Mothers and Children, where she continued to contribute to the development of maternal and child healthcare at the national level. |
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Professor Isaak V. Pyatyhorskyi (1895–?) was a distinguished pediatrician, researcher, and organizer of pediatric physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Ukraine. He graduated from Kharkiv Medical Academy in 1921 with a specialization in Pediatrics. With a short interruption, he worked at the Kharkiv Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health from 1927 to 1955. During this period, he served as a resident physician, assistant researcher, Head of the Physiotherapy Department, Acting Deputy Director for Research, and Head of the Organizational and Methodological Department. Professor Pyatyhorskyi was the founder and first head of the Institute’s Physiotherapy Department, established on his initiative. His scientific work focused on the use of physical and natural therapeutic factors in pediatric medicine, the development of indications and contraindications for physiotherapy, and the organization of rehabilitation services for children with various diseases, including rickets, dysentery, and rheumatic disorders. In 1939, he defended his Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertation entitled “Non-Resort Peat Therapy in Childhood” and was awarded the academic title of Senior Research Fellow in Pediatrics. In 1951, he defended his doctoral dissertation, “Fractional Ultraviolet Erythema Therapy in Early Childhood.” During World War II, Professor Pyatyhorskyi served in the armed forces and participated in the defense of Stalingrad as well as the liberation campaigns in Vienna and Budapest. He received numerous military decorations for his service, including medals for the Defense of Stalingrad and the Capture of Vienna and Budapest. Professor Pyatyhorskyi authored more than 70 scientific publications, including four professional manuals for physicians. In 1955, he transitioned to academic teaching, continuing his contribution to medical education and pediatric science. |
The post-war years were marked by rapid scientific growth and the emergence of a new generation of talented researchers, including A. I. Kornilova, V. O. Sarana, V. Ya. Haidai, L. A. Stulii, I. D. Dobrohaieva, and many others who would later make important contributions to Ukrainian medical science.
During this period, the Institute addressed some of the most urgent healthcare challenges facing the country. Research and clinical activities focused on the treatment of intestinal infections, rickets, rheumatic diseases, the care of premature infants, prevention of pregnancy complications, management of gestosis, and treatment of obstetric hemorrhage.
The organizational structure of the Institute continued to evolve. By 1950, it included the Department of Child Physiology and Development (headed by S. A. Hil), the Department of Prevention and Therapy of Childhood Diseases (S. V. Rodkin), the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (I. V. Konstantynov), the Organizational and Methodological Department (A. H. Rozenblit), as well as physiological, biochemical, pathomorphological, and microbiological laboratories and a radiology unit. Research on child growth and development also continued, including studies on corrective physical exercise and rehabilitation.
A major focus of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was the development of evidence-based approaches to preventing miscarriage and managing postpartum hemorrhage. The Institute's researchers contributed to the scientific justification of vitamin E use in high-risk pregnancies, developed improved methods for assessing blood loss during childbirth, and investigated hormonal approaches to labor induction in complicated pregnancies. Studies on infectious complications during childbirth also became an important area of research.
These achievements strengthened the Institute’s position as one of the leading scientific centers for maternal and child health in Ukraine and laid the foundation for further expansion of its clinical and research activities in the following decades.
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Professor Roziya-Khan S. Mirsagatova (1909–?) was a prominent obstetrician-gynecologist, researcher, and clinician whose work made a significant contribution to maternal healthcare in Ukraine. She graduated from the First Moscow Medical Institute in 1930. From 1945 to 1963, she worked at the Institute as a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Department of Pregnancy Pathology. In 1949, she was awarded the degree of Candidate of Medical Sciences, and in 1952 she received the academic title of Senior Research Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Professor Mirsagatova was widely recognized for her research on pregnancy complications, recurrent pregnancy loss, diabetes in pregnancy, and vascular disorders associated with pregnancy. Her studies resulted in the development of innovative approaches to the prevention and treatment of pregnancy-related complications, contributing substantially to the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality. In 1956, she defended her doctoral dissertation entitled “Vitamin E in the Treatment and Prevention of Spontaneous Premature Termination of Pregnancy (Miscarriage)”. Throughout her career, she successfully combined scientific research with extensive clinical practice as an obstetrician-gynecologist and consultant in maternity hospitals and antenatal care clinics. An important area of her work focused on reproductive health among women employed in heavy industry. Her research led to the introduction of specialized women's health services at industrial enterprises, the establishment of obstetrician-gynecologist positions in workplace healthcare facilities, and the development of occupational health recommendations aimed at protecting maternal and reproductive health. Professor Mirsagatova supervised two PhD dissertations and contributed significantly to the advancement of obstetrics and gynecology in Ukraine through both scientific innovation and healthcare organization. |
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(1952) |
68 Pushkinska Street, Kharkiv |
In 1952, Professor O. I. Kornilova was appointed Director of the Institute. An outstanding organizer, scientist, and internationally recognized expert in maternal and child health, she led the Institute during a period of significant scientific expansion and modernization.
Under her leadership, the Institute strengthened its position as one of Ukraine’s leading centers for pediatric and maternal health research. Professor Kornilova actively promoted the development of new scientific directions, the training of young researchers, and the integration of research findings into clinical practice and public healthcare.
Her tenure marked the beginning of a new stage in the Institute’s history, characterized by the growth of scientific schools, expansion of clinical and laboratory research, and increasing national recognition of the Institute's contributions to child and maternal health.
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Director of the Institute 1952-1986 |
Professor Oleksandra I. Kornilova (1917–?) was an outstanding physician, scientist, healthcare leader, and one of the most influential figures in the history of the Institute. A Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Honored Scientist of the Ukrainian SSR, she served as Director of the Institute for thirty-four years, from 1952 to 1986. Born in Kharkiv on April 15, 1917, she graduated with distinction from the Pediatric Faculty of Kharkiv Medical Institute in 1940. Following clinical work in the Chernihiv region and healthcare service during World War II, she returned to Kharkiv and joined the Institute in 1949 as a junior researcher. Her professional career would remain closely connected with the Institute for the rest of her life. Professor Kornilova combined exceptional organizational abilities with an active scientific career. Under her leadership, the Institute expanded its clinical and research infrastructure, established new laboratories and scientific departments, and became one of the leading centers for maternal, child, and adolescent health research in Ukraine. Her scientific work focused on maternal mortality, pregnancy complications, obstetric hemorrhage, reproductive health, and adolescent development. In 1953, she defended her Candidate of Medical Sciences dissertation, and in 1971 obtained the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences. Her doctoral research provided a comprehensive analysis of maternal mortality in Ukraine and proposed practical measures for its reduction. One of her major achievements was the establishment of Ukraine’s first specialized maternity hospital for women with recurrent pregnancy loss, including a dedicated unit for premature newborns. She also played a key role in developing scientific approaches to the prevention and treatment of pregnancy complications. A defining milestone of her career came in 1965, when she led the transformation of the Institute into the Research Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care—the only institution of its kind in the Soviet Union dedicated specifically to the physiology, pathology, and healthcare of school-age children and adolescents. Under her guidance, the Institute became a national center for research on adolescent health and development. Professor Kornilova actively promoted the expansion of the Institute. Thanks to her efforts, land and funding were secured for the construction of new clinical and laboratory facilities. In 1974, the Institute’s new clinical building admitted its first patients, creating the foundation for further scientific and clinical growth. During the 1970s and 1980s, she directed large-scale clinical and experimental studies on the neuroendocrine regulation of puberty, disorders of sexual development, and the interaction between hereditary and environmental factors in adolescent reproductive health. Professor Kornilova authored 123 scientific publications, including monographs, textbooks, and methodological guidelines. Her work was included in major medical encyclopedias, and she served as editor of seventeen scientific collections devoted to child and adolescent health. She also played a major role in developing scientific personnel: during her tenure, the Institute produced 32 doctoral dissertations and 114 PhD dissertations, while she personally supervised five doctoral and twelve PhD candidates. In 1978, on her initiative, the first Department of Physiology and Pathology of Adolescence in the Soviet Union was established at the Institute. She headed the department for ten years, contributing significantly to the development of adolescent medicine as a distinct scientific discipline. For her outstanding contributions to science, education, and healthcare organization, Professor Kornilova received numerous state awards and was granted the honorary title of Honored Scientist of the Ukrainian SSR. |
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At the 30th Anniversary of the Institute 1953 |
A major milestone in the Institute’s development occurred in 1965, when, under Order No. 40 of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated January 18, 1965, it was reorganized into the Kharkiv Research Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care named after N. K. Krupska.
Following this reorganization, the Institute was designated as the leading scientific center in the Soviet Union for research on the physiology and pathology of adolescence. This status significantly expanded its scientific responsibilities and strengthened its role in coordinating multidisciplinary research on adolescent health and development.
Another important step forward was the commissioning of a new clinical and experimental complex in 1974. The modern facilities provided enhanced opportunities for clinical care, biomedical research, and scientific collaboration.
The new infrastructure played a crucial role in establishing the Institute as a leading scientific, clinical, and organizational center for child and adolescent health, supporting both fundamental research and the development of innovative approaches to healthcare delivery for children and adolescents.
The Institute's Current Building
1974
During this period, the Institute's scientific community included a number of distinguished researchers, among them E. Z. Yusfina, V. Ya. Haidai, V. O. Sarana, H. N. Kostiurina, L. Ya. Stulii, and O. A. Besiedina, whose work contributed significantly to the advancement of pediatric and adolescent medicine.
In 1986, Professor Mykola M. Korenev, Doctor of Medical Sciences, was appointed Director of the Institute. Under his leadership, the scope of scientific research expanded considerably, and several new research directions were established.
The Institute made important contributions to the understanding of the prevalence, mechanisms, prevention, and rehabilitation of arterial hypertension in children and adolescents. Following the Chornobyl nuclear disaster, researchers developed a comprehensive system for the medical monitoring and healthcare support of affected children and adolescents. Innovative non-pharmacological approaches to the treatment of peptic ulcer disease were also introduced.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, significant efforts were devoted to improving healthcare services for children and adolescents, including students of boarding schools, vocational education institutions, and socially vulnerable groups. Researchers developed evidence-based recommendations for day-care hospitals, rehabilitation programs for children with chronic diseases and disabilities, medical support systems for adolescents in large urban centers, and professional guidance programs for youth.
The Institute's scientists achieved important advances in the fields of neuroendocrine regulation of pubertal development, mechanisms of early cardiovascular risk and atherosclerosis, pediatric rheumatology, diabetes mellitus, disorders of sexual development, and adolescent mental health. New approaches to diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and long-term monitoring were developed and implemented in clinical practice.
A new stage in the Institute's history began in 2000, when it became part of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. Since then, the Institute has focused its research on several strategic priorities:
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health monitoring and determinants of health among school-age children and adolescents;
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neurohormonal and immunological mechanisms of growth, development, and pubertal disorders;
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innovative methods for prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, rheumatic, and mental disorders in childhood and adolescence;
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medical and psychological rehabilitation of children and adolescents with severe chronic diseases and developmental disorders;
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evidence-based models of healthcare delivery for children and adolescents, including vulnerable and socially disadvantaged populations.
These research priorities continue to shape the Institute's scientific mission and contribute to improving child and adolescent health in Ukraine.
The Institute Today
Today, the Institute for Children and Adolescents Health Care of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine is one of the country's leading scientific, clinical, and educational centers dedicated to child and adolescent health.
The Institute combines fundamental and applied research, specialized clinical care, postgraduate education, and public health expertise. Its multidisciplinary structure brings together researchers, physicians, psychologists, geneticists, and public health specialists working to address the most pressing health challenges affecting children and adolescents.
The Institute employs 235 professionals, including 13 Doctors of Science, 50 PhD-level researchers, highly qualified physicians, psychologists, and healthcare specialists. Research activities are supported by specialized clinical and laboratory facilities, including units focused on pediatric endocrinology, rheumatology, medical genetics, developmental psychology, adolescent medicine, mental health, rehabilitation, and public health.
Each year, the Institute provides specialized medical care to more than 17,000 children and adolescents, including patients with chronic diseases, rare disorders, mental health conditions, and complex developmental problems. The Institute operates a dedicated Mental Health Center, an Orphan Diseases Center, and specialized inpatient and outpatient services.
Research priorities include:
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child and adolescent health monitoring and public health;
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pediatric endocrinology and diabetes;
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rheumatic and autoimmune diseases;
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medical genetics and rare diseases;
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adolescent reproductive health;
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child and adolescent mental health;
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rehabilitation medicine;
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prevention of non-communicable diseases;
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healthcare organization and health policy.
The Institute actively collaborates with national and international partners, universities, research organizations, healthcare institutions, and non-governmental organizations. Particular attention is devoted to participation in international research initiatives, capacity-building projects, and multidisciplinary programs aimed at improving child and adolescent health outcomes.
As a national center of expertise, the Institute continues to generate scientific evidence, develop innovative healthcare solutions, train healthcare professionals, and contribute to the advancement of pediatric and adolescent medicine in Ukraine and beyond.
