Hatzidaki Eleftheria
November 21, 2025 2025-11-21 11:45Hatzidaki Eleftheria
Hatzidaki Eleftheria
Associate Professor of Paediatrics - Neonatology
Medical School, University of Crete, P.C. 70013 Heraklion, Crete
Eleftheria Hatzidaki is a Paediatrician–Neonatologist, Associate Professor of Paediatrics–Neonatology at the University of Crete, and Director of the Neonatology Clinic and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete. She completed advanced clinical training in the NICU of St George’s University Hospital in London. She has successfully completed six postgraduate programmes and is a member of 13 scientific societies. She serves on the editorial board of one journal and is a reviewer for 47 international peer-reviewed journals. She has delivered more than 100 invited lectures at national and international conferences and workshops, as well as in seven public scientific outreach events. She has also served as chair in 50 conferences and symposia and as a member of organising and scientific committees in more than 70 academic events.
She has 87 international peer-reviewed publications and 39 Greek publications, 9 book chapters, 91 presentations at international conferences and 206 at national conferences. She has received 2.287 citations and holds an H-index of 22 and an i10-index of 43 (November 2025). She has participated, and continues to participate, in 36 research projects and multicentre clinical studies, as well as in four funded research programmes, serving as Principal Investigator in two of them and as a member of the research team in the remaining two.
She is actively involved in undergraduate medical education, contributes to six postgraduate programmes, and participates in continuing professional training. She supervises three doctoral theses and eight master’s theses, and serves on the advisory committees of nine doctoral theses and ten master’s theses. She is a member of the Coordinating Committee of the MSc Programme “Vaccines and Infection Prevention”. She maintains an active role in administrative bodies and committees of the Medical School, the University Hospital of Heraklion, the University of Crete, the Panhellenic Medical Association, the Hellenic Neonatal Society, the Hellenic Society of Perinatal Medicine, and the Central Health Council.
Tertiary education
• School of Medicine, University of Patras; admission through National Panhellenic Entrance Examinations
Medical degree
• MD, School of Medicine, University of Patras, July 1989
Licence to practise medicine
• Licence to Practise Medicine, Prefecture of Heraklion, Department of Public Health, 1989
Rural medical service
• Compulsory rural medical service, Peripheral Medical Centre of Grigoria, Health Centre of Moires, Crete, September 1989 – June 1991
Specialty training in Paediatrics
• Resident in Paediatrics, 2nd Paediatric Clinic, Venizeleio–Pananeio General Hospital of Heraklion, 17 June 1991 – 4 November 1993
• Resident in Paediatrics, Paediatric Clinic, University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), 5 November 1993 – 1 January 1996
Paediatrics specialty title
• Board certification in Paediatrics following successful completion of national specialty examinations (Decision No. 7417/25-4-1996)
Subspecialisation in Neonatal Intensive Care
• Subspecialisation in Neonatal Intensive Care, January 1999
Doctoral degree
• PhD in Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, thesis title: “Interleukin-6 levels in preterm rupture of membranes. Association with pregnancy outcome.” March 2004, grade: Excellent
Postgraduate training programmes
• Early Nutrition Specialist (ENS) Programme, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, in collaboration with the Early Nutrition Academy; 6-month duration with examinations for award of the ENS title (ENS 2021)
• International Program on Preterm Nutrition, in collaboration with the EFCNI Academy; 6-month duration with examinations for award of the title (IPPN, August 2021 – March 2022)
• Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Nutrition, Boston University School of Medicine; 6-month duration with examinations for award of the title (PGPN 2022)
• Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – online workshop on the administration and scoring of Bayley III and introduction to Bayley 4 (2022)
• Paediatric Preceptorship Program – A Focus on Early Life Immunity, University of Southampton; 3-month duration with examinations for award of the title (2023)
• Postgraduate Program in Paediatric Nutrition Pro, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine; 5-month duration with examinations for award of the title (PGPN PRO 2024)
• Early Nutrition Specialist (ENS) Programme 2025 (ENS 2025)
• Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)
• Preterm birth, growth, and neurodevelopmental outcomes
• Neonatal sepsis and infections
• Perinatal medicine and pregnancy complications
• Maternal–fetal/neonatal biomarkers and metabolic programming
• Vaccinations and infection prevention
Overall, her work focuses on clinical neonatology and intensive neonatal care, as well as on the early biological, perinatal, and psychosocial factors that shape long-term child health.
She has 87 international peer-reviewed publications and 39 Greek publications, as well as 9 book chapters. She has presented 91 papers at international conferences and 206 at national conferences. She has 2,287 citations, an H-index of 22, and an i10-index of 43 (November 2025). She has participated, and continues to participate, in 36 research projects and multicentre clinical studies.
Selected Publications:
• Tsatsakis A, Vakonaki E, Tzatzarakis M, Flamourakis M, Nikolouzakis TK, Poulas K, Papazoglou G, Hatzidaki E, Papanikolaou NC, Drakoulis N, Iliaki E, Goulielmos GN, Kallionakis M, Lazopoulos G, Kteniadakis S, Alegkakis A, Farsalinos K, Spandidos DA. Immune response (IgG) following full inoculation with BNT162b2 COVID‑19 mRNA among healthcare professionals. Int J Mol Med. 2021 Nov;48(5):200. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.5033. Epub 2021 Sep 13. PMID: 34515322; PMCID: PMC8448546.
• Kokkinaki T, Hatzidaki E. COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Restrictions: Factors That May Affect Perinatal Maternal Mental Health and Implications for Infant Development. Front Pediatr. 2022 May 12; 10:846627. doi:10.3389/fped.2022.846627. PMID: 35633965; PMCID: PMC9133722.
• Zagkos N, Sinopidis X, Gkentzi D, Sarafidis K, Kontou A, Hatzidaki E, Dimitriou G. Prematurity, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admissions and Birth Rates In Four Major Greek Hospitals During the Strictest Quarantine Periods of the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Paediatr Child Health. 2022 Aug;58(8):1491. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16062. Epub 2022 Jun 17. PMID: 35712854.
• Rouva G, Vergadi E, Hatzidaki E, Germanakis I. Mild coronary artery dilatation developed in some children with mild COVID-19 but completely regressed within 3 months. Acta Paediatr. 2022 Sep;111(9):1764-1770. doi: 10.1111/apa.16465. Epub 2022 Jul 4. PMID: 35748529; PMCID: PMC9350397.
• Kokkinaki T, Koutra K, Michopoulou O, Anagnostatou N, Chaziraki L, Kokarida P, Hatzidaki E. Giving Birth in Unpredictable Conditions: Association between Parents’ COVID-19 Related Concerns, Family Functioning, Dyadic Coping, Perceived Social Support and Depressive Symptoms. Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Dec 16;10(12):2550. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10122550. PMID: 36554073; PMCID: PMC9778005.
• Kokkinaki T, Markodimitraki M, Giannakakis G, Anastasiou I, Hatzidaki E. Comparing Full and Pre-Term Neonates’ Heart Rate Variability in Rest Condition and during Spontaneous Interactions with Their Parents at Home. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Feb 24;11(5):672. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11050672. PMID: 36900677; PMCID: PMC10000654.
• Hatzidaki E, Pagkalou M, Katsikantami I, Vakonaki E, Kavvalakis M, Tsatsakis AM, Tzatzarakis MN. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Persistent Organic Pollutants in Infant Formulas and Baby Food: Legislation and Risk Assessments. Foods. 2023 Apr 19;12(8):1697. doi: 10.3390/foods12081697. PMID: 37107492.
• Hansen ML, Pellicer A, Hyttel-Sørensen S, Ergenekon E, Szczapa T, Hagmann C, Naulaers G, Mintzer J, Fumagalli M, Dimitriou G, Dempsey E, Tkaczyk J, Cheng G, Fredly S Heuchan AM, Pichler G, Fuchs H, Nesargi S, Hahn GH, Piris-Borregas S, Širc J, Alsina-Casanova M, Stocker M, Ozkan H, Sarafidis K, Hopper AO, Karen T, Rzepecka-Weglarz B, Oguz SS, Arruza L, Memisoglu AC, Del Rio Florentino R, Baserga M, Maton P, Truttmann AC, de Las Cuevas I, Agergaard P, Zafra P, Bender L, Lauterbach R, Lecart C, de Buyst J, El-Khuffash A, Curley A, Vaccarello OO, Miletin J, Papathoma E, Vesoulis Z, Vento G, Cornette L, Lopez LS, Yasa B, Klamer A, Agosti M, Baud O, Mastretta E, Cetinkaya M, McCall K, Zeng S, Hatzidaki E, Bargiel A, Marciniak S, Gao X, Huijia L, Chalak L, Yang L, Rao SA, Xu X, Gonzalez BL, Wilinska M, Yin Z, Sadowska-Krawczenko I, Serrano-Viñuales I, Krolak-Olejnik B, Ybarra MM, Morales-Betancourt C, Korček P, Teresa-Palacio M, Mosca F, Hergenhan A, Koksal N, Tsoni K, Kadri MM, Knöpfli C, Rafinska-Wazny E, Akin MS, Nordvik T, Peng Z, Kersin SG, Thewissen L, Alarcon A, Healy D, Urlesberger B, Baş M, Baumgartner J, Skylogianni E, Karadyova V, Valverde E, Bergon-Sendin E, Kucera J, Pisoni S, Wang L, Smits A, Sanchez-Salmador R, Rasmussen MI, Olsen MH, Jensen AK, Gluud C, Jakobsen JC, Greisen G. Cerebral Oximetry Monitoring in Extremely Preterm Infants. N Engl J Med. 2023 Apr 20;388(16):1501-1511. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2207554. PMID: 37075142.
• Tsatsakis A, Oikonomopoulou T, Nikolouzakis TK, Vakonaki E, Tzatzarakis M, Flamourakis M, Renieri E, Fragkiadaki P, Iliaki E, Bachlitzanaki M, Karzi V, Katsikantami I, Kakridonis F, Hatzidaki E, Tolia M, Svistunov AA, Spandidos DA, Nikitovic D, Tsiaoussis J, Berdiaki A. Role of telomere length in human carcinogenesis (Review). Int J Oncol. 2023 Jul;63(1):78. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5526. Epub 2023 May 26. PMID: 37232367.
• Papadakis AE, Giannakaki V, Hatzidaki E, Damilakis J. The effect of added filtration on radiation dose and image quality in digital radiography of newborns. Pediatr Radiol. 2023 Sep;53(10):2060-2068. doi: 10.1007/s00247-023-05698-3. Epub 2023 Jun 13. PMID: 37310445.
• Kakatsaki I, Papanikolaou S, Roumeliotaki T, Anagnostatou NH, Lygerou I, Hatzidaki E. The Prevalence of Small for Gestational Age and Extrauterine Growth Restriction among Extremely and Very Preterm Neonates, Using Different Growth Curves, and Its Association with Clinical and Nutritional Factors. Nutrients 2023 Jul 25;15(15):3290. doi: 10.3390/nu15153290. PMID: 37571226; PMCID: PMC10420820.
• Lygerou I, Ilia S, Briassoulis P, Manousaki A, Koropouli M, Hatzidaki E, Briassoulis G. The Impact of Estimated Energy and Protein Balances on Extrauterine Growth in Preterm Infants. Nutrients. 2023 Aug 11;15(16):3556. doi: 10.3390/nu15163556. PMID: 37630744; PMCID: PMC10458304.
• Syed S, Qasim S, Ejaz M, Sammar, Khan N, Ali H, Zaker H, Hatzidaki E, Mamoulakis C, Tsatsakis A, Shah STA, Amir S. Effects of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane on the Female Reproductive Tract Leading to Infertility and Cancer: Systematic Search and Review. Toxics. 2023 Aug 24;11(9):725. doi: 10.3390/toxics11090725. PMID: 37755736; PMCID: PMC10536953.
• Kakridonis F, Pneumatikos SG, Vakonaki E, Berdiaki A, Tzatzarakis MN, Fragkiadaki P, Spandidos DA, Baliou S, Ioannou P, Hatzidaki E, Nikitovic D, Tsatsakis A, Vasiliadis E. Telomere length as a predictive biomarker in osteoporosis (Review). Biomed Rep. 2023 Oct 3;19(5):87. doi: 10.3892/br.2023.1669. PMID: 37881605; PMCID: PMC10594068.
• Olsen MH, Hansen ML, Lange T, Gluud C, Thabane L, Greisen G, Jakobsen JC; SafeBoosC-III Trial Group. Detailed statistical analysis plan for a secondary Bayesian analysis of the SafeBoosC-III trial: a multinational, randomised clinical trial assessing treatment guided by cerebral oximetry monitoring versus usual care in extremely preterm infants. Trials. 2023 Nov 16;24(1):737. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07720-3. PMID: 37974280; PMCID: PMC10655478.
• Benou S, Hatzidaki E, Kalaintzi A, Grivea I, Baltogianni M, Giapros V, Thomaidou A, Sarafidis K, Tsichla S, Sinopidis X, Papachatzi E, Karatza A, Lagadinou M, Dassios T, Dimitriou G, Papaevangelou V, Gkentzi D. Knowledge and attitudes of medical students about clinical aspects of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in newborns: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Greece. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Nov 16;10:1256704. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1256704. PMID: 38034533; PMCID: PMC10687632.
• Vergadi E, Kolliniati O, Lapi I, Ieronymaki E, Lyroni K, Alexaki VI, Diamantaki E, Vaporidi K, Hatzidaki E, Papadaki HA, Galanakis E, Hajishengallis G, Chavakis T, Tsatsanis C. An IL-10/DEL-1 axis supports granulopoiesis and survival from sepsis in early life. Nat Commun. 2024 Jan 23;15(1):680. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-44178-y. PMID: 38263289; PMCID: PMC10805706.
• Genc S, Taghizadehghalehjoughi A, Naldan ME, Gülcü O, Caglayan C, Spanakis M, Nikolouzakis TK, Alegakis A, Docea AO, Drocas AI, Mitrut R, Hatzidaki E, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis A. Evaluation of various blood biomarkers associated with the outcomes of patients with COVID 19 treated in intensive care units. Exp Ther Med. 2024 Jan 4;27(2):82. doi: 10.3892/etm.2024.12371. PMID: 38274343; PMCID: PMC10809360.
• Vestager ML, Hansen ML, Greisen G; SafeBoosC-III trial group. Alternative consent methods used in the multinational, pragmatic, randomised clinical trial SafeBoosC-III. Trials. 2024 Apr 4;25(1):236. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08074-0. PMID: 38575977; PMCID: PMC10996265.
• Chorafa E, Iosifidis E, Oletto A, Warris A, Castagnola E, Bruggemann R, Groll AH, Lehrnbecher T, Ferreras Antolin L, Mesini A, Agakidou E, Controzzi T, De Luca M, Dimitriou G, Emonts M, Esposito S, Fernàndez-Polo A, Ghimenton-Walters E, Gkentzi D, Grasa C, Hatzidaki E, Jõgi P, Kildonaviciute K, Kontou A, Leibold-Aguinarte A, Manzanares A, Mendoza-Palomar N, Metsvaht T, Noni M, Paulus S, Perrone S, Rincón-López E, Romani L, Sánchez L, Cetin BS, Spoulou V, Strenger V, Vergadi E, Villaverde S, Vuerich M, Zamora-Flores E, Roilides E. Antifungal Drug Usage in European Neonatal Units: A Multicenter Weekly Point Prevalence Study. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2024 Jun 25. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004445. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38917027.
• Rasmussen MIS, Hansen ML, Peters C, Greisen G; SafeBoosC-III Trial Group. Web-based training and certification of clinical staff during the randomised clinical trial SafeBoosC-III. Trials. 2024 Oct 23;25(1):711. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08530-x. PMID: 39444031; PMCID: PMC11515472.
• Konstantinou E, Benou S, Hatzidaki E, Vervenioti A, Dimitriou G, Papaevangelou V, Jones CE, Gkentzi D. Postpartum Interventions to Increase Maternal Vaccination Uptake: Is It Worth It? Vaccines (Basel). 2024 Oct 1;12(10):1130. doi: 10.3390/vaccines12101130. PMID: 39460297; PMCID: PMC11511525.
• Kokkinaki T, Anagnostatou N, Markodimitraki M, Roumeliotaki T, Tzatzarakis M, Vakonaki E, Giannakakis G, Tsatsakis A, Hatzidaki E. The development of preterm infants from low socio-economic status families: The combined effects of melatonin, autonomic nervous system maturation and psychosocial factors (ProMote): A study protocol. PLoS One. 2025 Jan 10;20(1):e0316520. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316520. PMID: 39792923; PMCID: PMC11723634
• Sarafidis K, Iacovidou N, Hatzidaki E, Chatziioannidis I, Dimitriou G. A Survey on the Organization and Operation of Level II/III Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Greece: A Comparison Between 2004 and 2022. Children (Basel). 2025 Jan 13;12(1):85. doi: 10.3390/children12010085. PMID: 39857916; PMCID: PMC11764378.
• Kariniotaki C, Thomou C, Gkentzi D, Panteris E, Dimitriou G, Hatzidaki E. Neonatal Sepsis: A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel). 2024 Dec 25;14(1):6. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics14010006. PMID: 39858292; PMCID: PMC11761862.
• Kakatsaki I, Anagnostatou NH, Roumeliotaki T, Panteris E, Liapikos T, Papanikolaou S, Hatzidaki E. Evaluating Prevalence of Preterm Postnatal Growth Faltering Using Fenton 2013 and INTERGROWTH-21st Growth Charts with Logistic and Machine Learning Models. Nutrients. 2025 May 20;17(10):1726. doi: 10.3390/nu17101726. PMID: 40431467; PMCID: PMC12114127.
• Baliou S, Pelagiadis I, Apetroaei MM, Vakonaki E, Arsene AL, Hatzidaki E, Tzatzarakis MN, Ioannou P, Tsatsakis A, Stiakaki E. The Telomere Length Signature in Leukemias-From Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Telomere Shortening to Immunotherapeutic Options Against Telomerase. Cancers (Basel). 2025 Jun 10;17(12):1936. doi: 10.3390/cancers17121936. PMID: 40563586; PMCID: PMC12190229.
• Baliou S, Apetroaei MM, Hatzidaki E, Kuzmin SV, Tzatzarakis MN, Arsene AL, Tsatsakis A, Ioannou P. The Interplay Between Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Common Pathophysiological Mechanisms Contributing to Telomere Shortening. Life (Basel). 2025 May 28;15(6):873. doi: 10.3390/life15060873. PMID: 40566527; PMCID: PMC12194111.
• Vakonaki E, Vitiadou MT, Paraskevopoulou NI, Tzatzarakis M, Baliou S, Ioannou P, Alegakis A, Lamprakis T, Fragkiadaki P, Mylonaki E, Volonaki Z, Anagnostatou N, Makrygiannakis F, Makrigiannakis A, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis A, Hatzidaki E. Correlation of telomere length between full and preterm neonates and their mothers. Exp Ther Med. 2025 Aug 5;30(4):187. doi: 10.3892/etm.2025.12937. PMID: 40831801; PMCID: PMC12360152.
• Vakonaki E, Vitiadou MT, Panteris E, Tzatzarakis M, Tsatsakis A, Hatzidaki E. Maternal Lifestyle During Pregnancy and Its Influence on Offspring’s Telomere Length. Life (Basel). 2025 Aug 6;15(8):1250. doi: 10.3390/life15081250. PMID: 40868898; PMCID: PMC12387188.
Membership in International Scientific Societies
• Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies
• European Society for Paediatric Research
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• European Society of Clinical Virology
Membership in Hellenic Scientific Societies
• Hellenic Neonatal Society
• Hellenic Society of Perinatal Medicine
• Hellenic Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases
• Hellenic Society for Social Paediatrics and Health Promotion
• Hellenic Paediatric Society
• Pancretan Paediatric Society
• Hellenic College of Paediatricians
• Hellenic Academy of Paediatrics
• Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology
