Dr Veena Kalra

Medical Degrees

• MBBS — University of Delhi, 1969
• MD — Paediatrics — All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 1973

Fellowships & Special Training

• FNAMS — Fellow, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, 2007
• FIAP — Fellow, Indian Academy of Paediatrics
• FNASc — Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India
• WHO Research Training Grant — MRC, Cambridge University, UK & WHO Laboratory, Geneva

Certifications & Accreditations

• Founder President — Association of Child Neurology of India (ACNI)
• Past President — Asian Oceanian Child Neurology Association
• Executive Board Member — International Child Neurology Association (ICNA)
• Editorial Boards — Journal of Child Neurology (USA), Pediatric Neurology (USA), Indian Journal of Pediatrics

Major Conditions Treated

• Childhood Epilepsy & Seizures (including Refractory Epilepsy)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental Delay & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Neurometabolic & Neurogenetic Disorders
• Neurocysticercosis
• Learning Disabilities & ADHD
• Indian Childhood Cirrhosis
• Neuroinfections (Bacterial Meningitis, Viral Encephalitis)
• Malnutrition & Brain Development
• Lead Poisoning & Toxic Encephalopathy
• Muscular Dystrophy & Neuromuscular Diseases
• Autism Spectrum Disorders

Sub-specialties

• Paediatric Epilepsy: Comprehensive epilepsy management including ketogenic diet therapy and advanced EEG-guided treatment — recognised as the best Paediatric Neurologist for childhood epilepsy in India.
• Neurometabolic Disorders: Expert diagnosis and management of rare inherited metabolic diseases affecting the nervous system in children — a critical subspecialty for international patients seeking rare disease specialists.
• Neurorehabilitation: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes for children with acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, and developmental conditions.

Advanced Procedures & Treatments

• Video EEG Monitoring
• Ketogenic Diet Therapy for Refractory Epilepsy
• Neurorehabilitation Programme Design
• Genetic Counselling for Neurological Disorders
• Lead Poisoning Assessment & Chelation Guidance
• Neuropsychological Testing Coordination
• Lumbar Puncture & CSF Analysis in Children

Current Affiliation

• Senior Consultant — Paediatric Neurology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi (1995–Present)

Past Affiliations

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi — Professor & Head, Department of Paediatrics (1987–1995)

Academic & Research Roles

• Professor — AIIMS New Delhi — Founder of Paediatric Neurology as a subspecialty in India
• Initiated the first 3-year DM (Child Neurology) postdoctoral course in India at AIIMS — the only such programme in the country at the time
• Chairperson — Educational Committee, International Child Neurology Association (ICNA)
• Expert Committee Member — Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; ICMR; Medical Council of India (MCI)
• Guided over 50 MD/DM theses across her career

Key Achievements

• Initiated Paediatric Neurology as a recognised subspecialty of Paediatrics in India
• Awarded by three Honourable Presidents of India for professional achievements
• Won 13 medals and prizes at MD & MBBS level including the Pfizer Gold Medal
• Over four decades of peer-reviewed publications on childhood neurological disorders

National & International Awards

• Presidential Medal — Awarded by three Presidents of India for contributions to child health
• Pfizer Gold Medal — Academic Excellence, MBBS/MD
• Sorell Katherine Research Award — International recognition for paediatric neurology research
• Asian Research Award — Japan Child Neurology Journal (JCN)
• ST Achar Endowment Award — Best Clinical Research, Indian Academy of Paediatrics
• Swasth Bharat Samman — Contributions to public health
• WHO Research Training Grant — MRC Cambridge University, UK

Professional Memberships

• Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) — Life Fellow
• National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) — Fellow
• National Academy of Sciences India (NAS) — Fellow
• Association of Child Neurology, India — Founder President
• Asian Oceanian Child Neurology Association — Past President
• International Child Neurology Association (ICNA) — Executive Board Member
• Oxford & Cambridge Society of India
• Indian Epilepsy Society

Published Papers (Selected)

• Research published in national and international journals on neurocysticercosis, childhood epilepsy, neurometabolic disorders, Indian childhood cirrhosis, and lead poisoning effects on child neurology (full bibliography available on request; over four decades of publications).

Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests

• Neurocysticercosis management in children
• Indian childhood cirrhosis and neurology
• Malnutrition and brain development in children
• Neurogenetic and neurometabolic disorders
• Lead pollution and neurological effects in children
• Epilepsy management in paediatric populations

A child with refractory epilepsy unresponsive to four antiepileptic medications was successfully managed with a ketogenic diet protocol initiated under Dr. Kalra's supervision, achieving a 70% reduction in seizure frequency within three months.

A 3-year-old presenting with unexplained developmental regression was diagnosed with a rare neurometabolic disorder through Dr. Kalra's systematic neurological evaluation; early intervention prevented further neurological deterioration.

• Diagnostic Authority: Families describe Dr. Kalra as an unparalleled diagnostician whose decades of experience allow her to identify rare neurological conditions other specialists have missed.
• Compassionate Approach: Parents of children with complex conditions praise her patience, empathy, and ability to present difficult diagnoses in a manner that supports family resilience.
• National Icon: Widely regarded as the founding figure of child neurology in India, patients travel from across the country and abroad specifically to consult her.

Patient-Centred Care

Dr. Kalra follows a methodical, evidence-based approach to child neurology. She dedicates extended consultation time to each child, engages directly with parents to understand full developmental history, and ensures treatment plans incorporate educational and social rehabilitation alongside medical management. She is known for her extraordinary patience with families facing frightening neurological diagnoses in their children.

Technology & Innovation

Dr. Kalra employs advanced EEG monitoring (including video-EEG), neuroimaging interpretation, metabolic and genetic testing, and ketogenic diet protocols for refractory epilepsy. Her longitudinal research career — spanning four decades — keeps her at the forefront of evolving neurometabolic diagnostic techniques. She collaborates with metabolic specialists, physiotherapists, and special educators for comprehensive child neurological care.

*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.

Language Support

English and Hindi are spoken; Cancer Rounds provides certified interpreters for all major international languages on request.

Visa & Travel Assistance

Cancer Rounds provides medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Veena Kalra.

Virtual Consultations

Pre-travel video consultations are available through Cancer Rounds, allowing patients to share medical records and discuss treatment plans with Dr. Veena Kalra before travelling to India.