Prof. Nicholas Allen

BSc, MB BCh BAO, MRCPI, MD, HDip, MSc,

 
researcher
 

Biography

Current posts:
  • Consultant Paediatrician & Paediatric Neurologist, HSE, Galway University Hospital, Ireland.
  • Professor of Paediatrics, University of Galway Medical School 
Education
  • Undergraduate Medical studies at NUI Galway. 
  • Intercalated-research BSc. physiology NUI Galway.
  • MSc. Degree in Clinical Education
  • M.D. Research Doctorate in Basic Lab. Research 
Physician Training
  • Completed Internship and Basic Specialist Training and Higher Specialist Training in Paediatrics in Ireland (general paediatrics, oncology, neonatology, nephrology, endocrinology, and paediatric neurology)
  • Completed further paediatric neurology sub-specialisation as part of the SpR programme including clinical and research Fellowships in Paediatric Neurology and Epilepsy (Temple St. Children's University Hospital, Dublin and Great Ormond St. Children's Hospital, London) and Neuromuscular Disorders at the Evelina Children's Hospital, Guys & St. Thomas Trust, London.
  • Previous 1 year post as Specialist Clinical Tutor in Paediatrics (University College Dublin)
Research: See Research and Publications

Research Interests

Sample of areas of interest
  • Developmental Encephalopathies
  • Clinical Paediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology
  • Neuromuscular Disorders
  • Clinical Education
Latest Research Activity
  • Patient derived iPSC-neuronal models of severe early onset neurodevelopmental disorders 
  • Clinical and electrophysiological aspects of developmental/epilepsy related disorders 
  • Severe Neurological Impairment
  • Fetal Acetylcholine Receptor Inactivation Disorders
Sample of collaborators
  • Prof. S.Shen, University of Galway. Dr. K. Whysall, University of Galway, Dr. L. Quinlan, University of Galway.
  • Prof. Angela Vincent, Oxford; Prof. Heinz Jungbluth, King's College London: Fetal Acetylcholine Receptor Inactivation Disorders Syndrome.
  • Prof. Denise McDonald, and Dr. Siobhan McCormack, CHI, Tallaght: SPIRE- CONCEPT: Severe neurological imPairment in IREland-CONsensus Clinical datasEt, Prevalence and healthcare uTilisation.
  • Prof. Kathleen Gorman, Neurology, CHI Temple St. Dublin 1 & UCD, movement disorders and genetic neurological disorders.
  • Irish Paediatric Neurology Group
  • Dr. Daniel Lumsden, Movement Disorders
Active PhD Students (academic supervisor of)
  • Rachel Stewart: University of Galway: Year 4
  • Alessia Arbini: University of Galway: Year 4
  • Dr. Siobhan McCormak: Paediatric SpR CHI, Tallaght and University of Galway: Year 3
Recent Masters Students
  • Dr. Eoin Donnelan: Classification of Paediatric Epilepsies: Needs and Opportunities in Care
  • Dr. Johannes Letshwiti: Neonatology Quality Improvement Initiative
  • Dr. Karen O'Neill: Neurological complications of Inherited Collagenopathy

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2024) 'The 2017 and 2022 ILAE epilepsy classification systems identify needs and opportunities in care: A paediatric hospital-based study'
Donnellan EP, Kehoe C, Moran A, Ni Chollatain M, Hynes Y, Hennessy M, Reade E, Allen NM (2024) 'The 2017 and 2022 ILAE epilepsy classification systems identify needs and opportunities in care: A paediatric hospital-based study'. Epilepsy Behav, 157 (109804) [DOI] [Details]
(2024) 'Epileptic dyskinetic encephalopathy in KBG syndrome: Expansion of the phenotype'
Donnellan EP, Gorman K, Shahwan A, Allen NM (2024) 'Epileptic dyskinetic encephalopathy in KBG syndrome: Expansion of the phenotype'. Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports, [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'The Emerging Spectrum of Fetal Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-associated Disorders (FARAD)'
Allen NM, O'Rahelly M, Eymard B, Chouchane M, Hahn A, Kearns G, Kim DS, Byun SY, Nguyen CE, Schara-Schmidt U, Kölbel H, Marina AD, Schneider-Gold C, Roefke K, Thieme A, Van den Bergh P, Avalos G, Álvarez-Velasco R, Natera-de Benito D, Cheng MHM, Chan WK, Wan HS, Thomas MA, Borch L, Lauzon J, Kornblum C, Reimann J, Mueller A, Kuntzer T, Norwood F, SRamdas S, Jacobson LW, Jie X, Fernandez-Garcia MA, Wraige E, Lim M, Lin JP, Claeys KG, Aktas S, Oskoui M, Hacohen Y, Masud A, Leite MI, Palace J, De Vivo D, Angela Vincent, Jungbluth H (2023) 'The Emerging Spectrum of Fetal Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-associated Disorders (FARAD)'. Brain, 146 (10):4233-4246 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2023) 'Macrocephaly Following the Bi-directional Glenn Procedure'
Donnellan EP, O'Brien ST, Allen NM (2023) 'Macrocephaly Following the Bi-directional Glenn Procedure'. Journal Of Pediatrics, [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'Generation of three induced pluripotent stem cell lines from a patient with KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy as a result of the pathogenic variant c.881C > T; p.Ala294Val (NUIGi059-A, NUIGi059-B, NUIGi059-C) and 3 healthy controls (NUIGi060-A, NUIGi060-B, NUIGi060-C)'
Stewart R, Gadoud C, Krawczyk J, McInerney V, O¿Brien T, Shen S, Allen NM (2023) 'Generation of three induced pluripotent stem cell lines from a patient with KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy as a result of the pathogenic variant c.881C > T; p.Ala294Val (NUIGi059-A, NUIGi059-B, NUIGi059-C) and 3 healthy controls (NUIGi060-A, NUIGi060-B, NUIGi060-C)'. Stem Cell Reports, [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'Using Ribonucleoprotein-based CRISPR/Cas9 toedit single nucleotide on human induced pluripotent stem cells to model type 3 long QT syndrome (SCN5A+/-)'
Ning Ge; Min Liu; Rui Li; Nicholas M. Allen; Joseph Galvin; Sanbing Shen; Timothy O'Brien; Terence Prendiville (2023) 'Using Ribonucleoprotein-based CRISPR/Cas9 toedit single nucleotide on human induced pluripotent stem cells to model type 3 long QT syndrome (SCN5A+/-)'. Stem Cell Reviews And Reports, [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'The changing face of reported status dystonicus - A systematic review'
Lumsden DE, Cif L, Capuano A, Allen NM (2023) 'The changing face of reported status dystonicus - A systematic review'. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, [DOI] [Details]
(2023) 'Generation of three induced pluripotent stem cell lines from a patient with KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy as a result of the pathogenic variant c.638C>T; p.Arg213Gln (NUIGi063-A, NUIGi063-B, NUIGi063-C) and 3 healthy controls (NUIGi064-A, NUIGi064-B, NUIGi064-C)'
Stewart R, Gadoud C, Krawczyk J, McInerney V, O¿Brien T, Shen S, Allen NM (2023) 'Generation of three induced pluripotent stem cell lines from a patient with KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy as a result of the pathogenic variant c.638C>T; p.Arg213Gln (NUIGi063-A, NUIGi063-B, NUIGi063-C) and 3 healthy controls (NUIGi064-A, NUIGi064-B, NUIGi064-C)'. Stem Cell Reports, [Details]
(2023) 'The Learning Effects of Team Handover Report'
Duff C, Nicholson A, Allen NM (2023) 'The Learning Effects of Team Handover Report'. Irish Medical Journal, [Details]
(2023) 'Abnormal liver function tests and improved survival in a child with splice mutation TARP syndrome'
Lane M, Allen NM, Letshwiti J. (2023) 'Abnormal liver function tests and improved survival in a child with splice mutation TARP syndrome'. BMJ Case Reports, [Details]
(2022) 'Clinicians Engagement with Research: Motivating and Impeding Factors'
Morrison JC, Allen NM, Lynch SA, McVeigh TP, O'Grady MJ (2022) 'Clinicians Engagement with Research: Motivating and Impeding Factors'. Ir Med J, 115 (6) [Details]
(2022) 'Mowat-Wilson syndrome presenting with Shone's complex cardiac anomaly'
Musaad W, Lyons A, Allen N, Letshwiti (2022) 'Mowat-Wilson syndrome presenting with Shone's complex cardiac anomaly'. BMJ Case Reports, 9 (15(2)) [DOI] [Details]
(2022) 'Response to treatment and outcomes of infantile spasms in Down syndrome'
Harvey S, Allen NM, King MD, Lynch B, Lynch SA, O'Regan M, O'Rourke D, Shahwan A, Webb D, Gorman KM; Irish Paediatric Neurology Group. (2022) 'Response to treatment and outcomes of infantile spasms in Down syndrome'. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, [Details]
(2021) 'Delineating the molecular and phenotypic spectrum of the SETD1B-related syndrome'
Weerts MJA, Lanko K, Guzman-Vega FJ, et al. (2021) 'Delineating the molecular and phenotypic spectrum of the SETD1B-related syndrome'. Genetics In Medicine : Official Journal Of The American College Of Medical Genetics, [Details]
(2021) '4-Aminopyridine is a promising treatment option for patients with gain-of-function KCNA2-encephalopathy'
Hedrich UBS, Lauxmann S, Wolff M, Synofzik M, Bast T, Binelli A, Serratosa JM, Martínez-Ulloa P, Allen NM, King MD, Gorman KM, Zeev BB, Tzadok M, Wong-Kisiel L, Marjanovic D, Rubboli G, Sisodiya SM, Lutz F, Ashraf HP, Torge K, Yan P, Bosselmann C, Schwarz N, Fudali M, Lerche H (2021) '4-Aminopyridine is a promising treatment option for patients with gain-of-function KCNA2-encephalopathy'. Science Translational Medicine, Sep;13(609):eaaz4957 [Details]
(2021) 'Derivation of iPSC lines from two patients with autism spectrum disorder carrying NRXN1¿ deletion (NUIGi041-A, NUIG041-B; NUIGi045-A) and one sibling control (NUIGi042-A, NUIGi042-B)'
Ding Y;O'Brien A;de la Cruz BM;Yang M;Fitzgerald J;Yang G;Li W;McInerney V;Krawczyk J;Lynch SA;Howard L;Allen NM;O'Brien T;Gallagher L;Shen S; (2021) 'Derivation of iPSC lines from two patients with autism spectrum disorder carrying NRXN1¿ deletion (NUIGi041-A, NUIG041-B; NUIGi045-A) and one sibling control (NUIGi042-A, NUIGi042-B)'. Stem Cell Research, 52 [DOI] [Details]
(2021) 'Derivation of four iPSC lines from a male ASD patient carrying a deletion in the middle coding region of NRXN1¿ gene (NUIGi039-A and NUIGi039-B) and a male sibling control (NUIGi040-A and NUIGi040-B)'
Ding Y;O'Brien A;Marcó de la Cruz B;Yang M;Lu Y;Qian X;Yang G;McInerney V;Krawczyk J;Lynch SA;Howard L;Allen NM;O'Brien T;Gallagher L;Shen S; (2021) 'Derivation of four iPSC lines from a male ASD patient carrying a deletion in the middle coding region of NRXN1¿ gene (NUIGi039-A and NUIGi039-B) and a male sibling control (NUIGi040-A and NUIGi040-B)'. Stem Cell Research, 53 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Journal club: old tricks and fresh approaches'
McGlacken-Byrne, SM,O'Rahelly, M,Cantillon, P,Allen, NM (2020) 'Journal club: old tricks and fresh approaches'. Archives Of Disease In Childhood-Education And Practice Edition, 105 :236-241 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Catatonia as a feature of down syndrome: An under-recognised entity?'
Lyons A;Allen NM;Flanagan O;Cahalane D; (2020) 'Catatonia as a feature of down syndrome: An under-recognised entity?'. European Journal Of Paediatric Neurology, 25 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Derivation of two iPSC lines from a sporadic ASD patient (NUIGi033-A) and a paternal control (NUIGi034-A)'
de la Cruz BM;Ding Y;McInerney V;Krawczyk J;Lu Y;Yang G;Qian X;Li W;Howard L;Allen NM;O'Brien T;Gallagher L;Shen S; (2020) 'Derivation of two iPSC lines from a sporadic ASD patient (NUIGi033-A) and a paternal control (NUIGi034-A)'. Stem Cell Research, 44 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'A comparison of genomic diagnostics in adults and children with epilepsy and comorbid intellectual disability'
Benson, KA;White, M;Allen, NM;Byrne, S;Carton, R;Comerford, E;Costello, D;Doherty, C;Dunleavey, B;El-Naggar, H;Gangadharan, N;Heavin, S;Kearney, H;Lench, NJ;Lynch, J;McCormack, M;O'Regan, M;Podesta, K;Power, K;Rogers, AS;Steward, CA;Sweeney, B;Webb, D;Fitzsimons, M;Greally, M;Delanty, N;Cavalleri, GL (2020) 'A comparison of genomic diagnostics in adults and children with epilepsy and comorbid intellectual disability'. European Journal Of Human Genetics, [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Genetic potassium channel-associated epilepsies: Clinical review of the Kv family'
Allen NM;Weckhuysen S;Gorman K;King MD;Lerche H; (2020) 'Genetic potassium channel-associated epilepsies: Clinical review of the Kv family'. European Journal Of Paediatric Neurology, 24 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Identification of a novel cystic fibrosis mutation in three patients of South Asian descent'
Semple, A;Clark, T;Allen, NM;Krishnananthan, T;Nwokoro, C;Girodon, E;Porzio, M;Herzig, M (2020) 'Identification of a novel cystic fibrosis mutation in three patients of South Asian descent'. The Clinical Respiratory Journal, 14 :586-588 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Catatonia as a feature of down syndrome: An under-recognised entity?'
Lyons, A,Allen, NM,Flanagan, O,Cahalane, D (2020) 'Catatonia as a feature of down syndrome: An under-recognised entity?'. European Journal Of Paediatric Neurology, 25 :187-190 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Generation of three induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from a patient with developmental epileptic encephalopathy due to the pathogenic KCNA2 variant c.869T>G; p.Leu290Arg (NUIGi052-A, NUIGi052-B, NUIGi052-C)'
Arbini A;Gilmore J;King MD;Gorman KM;Krawczyk J;McInerney V;O'Brien T;Shen S;Allen NM; (2020) 'Generation of three induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from a patient with developmental epileptic encephalopathy due to the pathogenic KCNA2 variant c.869T>G; p.Leu290Arg (NUIGi052-A, NUIGi052-B, NUIGi052-C)'. Stem Cell Research, 46 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE) Triggered by Influenza'
Julia C. Morrison, Rebecca Finnegan, Aoife Cleary, Eilish Twomey, Nicholas M. Allen​ (2020) 'Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE) Triggered by Influenza'. American Journal Of Neuroradiology, [Details]
(2019) 'Journal club: old tricks and fresh approaches'
McGlacken-Byrne SM;O'Rahelly M;Cantillon P;Allen NM; (2019) 'Journal club: old tricks and fresh approaches'. Archives Of Disease In Childhood-Education And Practice Edition, [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Cost of exome sequencing in epileptic encephalopathy: is it 'worth it'?'
Forman, E. B.,Gorman, K. M.,Conroy, J.,Arthur, N.,Grant, C.,Ennis, S.,Allen, N. M.,Lynch, S. A.,King, M. D. (2018) 'Cost of exome sequencing in epileptic encephalopathy: is it 'worth it'?'. Arch Dis ChildArch Dis Child, 103 (33) [Details]
(2018) 'Interferonopathies in laboratory-negative suspected congenital infection'
Forman, E. B.,King, M. D.,Allen, N. M. (2018) 'Interferonopathies in laboratory-negative suspected congenital infection'. Lancet Infect DisLancet Infect Dis, 18 (11) [Details]
(2018) 'Neck-Tongue Syndrome: An Underrecognized Childhood Onset Cephalalgia'
Allen, NM,Dafsari, HS,Wraige, E,Jungbluth, H (2018) 'Neck-Tongue Syndrome: An Underrecognized Childhood Onset Cephalalgia'. Journal of child neurology, 33 :347-350 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Status dystonicus due to missense variant in ARX: Diagnosis and management'
Gorman, KM,Cary, H,Gaffney, L,Forman, E,Waldron, D,Al-Delami, F,Lynch, BJ,King, MD,Allen, NM (2018) 'Status dystonicus due to missense variant in ARX: Diagnosis and management'. European Journal Of Paediatric Neurology, 22 :862-865 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Unusual Presentations of Dystrophinopathies in Childhood'
Allen, NM,Ewer, A,Nakou, V,Konstantoulaki, E,Wraige, E,Gowda, V,Jungbluth, H (2018) 'Unusual Presentations of Dystrophinopathies in Childhood'. Pediatrics, 141 :510-514 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Rethinking status dystonicus: A welcome start to a challenging problem'
Lumsden, D. E.,Allen, N. M. (2018) 'Rethinking status dystonicus: A welcome start to a challenging problem'. Mov DisordMov Disord, 33 (22) [Details]
(2017) '2015-2016 Influenza Season in an Irish Regional Paediatric Unit: Importance of Influenza Vaccination Highlighted'
Ryan, G.,Cleary, A.,Keady, D.,Allen, N. M.,Moylett, E. (2017) '2015-2016 Influenza Season in an Irish Regional Paediatric Unit: Importance of Influenza Vaccination Highlighted'. Ir Med J, 110 (77) [Details]
(2017) 'Novel SMC1A variant and epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures: Expansion of the phenotype'
Gorman, K. M.,Forman, E.,Conroy, J.,Allen, N. M.,Shahwan, A.,Lynch, S. A.,Ennis, S.,King, M. D. (2017) 'Novel SMC1A variant and epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures: Expansion of the phenotype'. EpilepsiaEpilepsia, 58 (77):1301-1302 [Details]
(2017) 'Clinical spectrum and genotype-phenotype associations of KCNA2-related encephalopathies'
Masnada, S.,Hedrich, U. B. S.,Gardella, E.,Schubert, J.,Kaiwar, C.,Klee, E. W.,Lanpher, B. C.,Gavrilova, R. H.,Synofzik, M.,Bast, T.,Gorman, K.,King, M. D.,Allen, N. M.,Conroy, J.,Ben Zeev, B.,Tzadok, M.,Korff, C.,Dubois, F.,Ramsey, K.,Narayanan, V.,Serratosa, J. M.,Giraldez, B. G.,Helbig, I.,Marsh, E.,O'Brien, M.,Bergqvist, C. A.,Binelli, A.,Porter, B.,Zaeyen, E.,Horovitz, D. D.,Wolff, M.,Marjanovic, D.,Caglayan, H. S.,Arslan, M.,Pena, S. D. J.,Sisodiya, S. M.,Balestrini, S.,Syrbe, S.,Veggiotti, P.,Lemke, J. R.,Moller, R. S.,Lerche, H.,Rubboli, G. (2017) 'Clinical spectrum and genotype-phenotype associations of KCNA2-related encephalopathies'. BrainBrain, 140 (99):2337-2354 [Details]
(2017) 'Novel COL4A2 variant in a large pedigree: Consequences and dilemmas'
McGovern, M.,Flanagan, O.,Lynch, B.,Lynch, S. A.,Allen, N. M. (2017) 'Novel COL4A2 variant in a large pedigree: Consequences and dilemmas'. Clin GenetClin Genet, 92 (44):447-448 [Details]
(2017) 'Activated Platelets Induce Endothelial Cell Activation via an Interleukin-1beta Pathway in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus'
Nhek, S.,Clancy, R.,Lee, K. A.,Allen, N. M.,Barrett, T. J.,Marcantoni, E.,Nwaukoni, J.,Rasmussen, S.,Rubin, M.,Newman, J. D.,Buyon, J. P.,Berger, J. S. (2017) 'Activated Platelets Induce Endothelial Cell Activation via an Interleukin-1beta Pathway in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus'. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc BiolArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 37 (44):707-716 [Details]
(2017) 'Status dystonicus in childhood'
Lumsden, DE;King, MD;Allen, NM (2017) 'Status dystonicus in childhood'. Current opinion in pediatrics, 29 :674-682 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Atypical benign partial epilepsy of childhood with acquired neurocognitive, lexical semantic, and autistic spectrum disorder'
Allen, NM,Conroy, J,Deonna, T,McCreary, D,McGettigan, P,Madigan, C,Carter, I,Ennis, S,Lynch, SA,Shahwan, A,King, MD (2016) 'Atypical benign partial epilepsy of childhood with acquired neurocognitive, lexical semantic, and autistic spectrum disorder'. Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports, 6 :42-48 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'NAPB - a novel SNARE-associated protein for early-onset epileptic encephalopathy'
Conroy, J.,Allen, N. M.,Gorman, K. M.,Shahwan, A.,Ennis, S.,Lynch, S. A.,King, M. D. (2016) 'NAPB - a novel SNARE-associated protein for early-onset epileptic encephalopathy'. Clin GenetClin Genet, 89 (22) [Details]
(2016) 'Unexplained early onset epileptic encephalopathy: Exome screening and phenotype expansion'
Allen, N. M.,Conroy, J.,Shahwan, A.,Lynch, B.,Correa, R. G.,Pena, S. D.,McCreary, D.,Magalhaes, T. R.,Ennis, S.,Lynch, S. A.,King, M. D. (2016) 'Unexplained early onset epileptic encephalopathy: Exome screening and phenotype expansion'. EpilepsiaEpilepsia, 57 (11) [Details]
(2016) 'Salbutamol-responsive fetal acetylcholine receptor inactivation syndrome'
Allen, N. M.,Hacohen, Y.,Palace, J.,Beeson, D.,Vincent, A.,Jungbluth, H. (2016) 'Salbutamol-responsive fetal acetylcholine receptor inactivation syndrome'. NeurologyNeurology, 86 (77):692-4 [Details]
(2016) 'Lyme Neuroborreliosis: A Potentially Preventable Cause of Stroke'
Allen, N. M.,Jungbluth, H. (2016) 'Lyme Neuroborreliosis: A Potentially Preventable Cause of Stroke'. J PediatrJ Pediatr, 170 [Details]
(2016) 'Novel European SLC1A4 variant: infantile spasms and population ancestry analysis'
Conroy, J,Allen, NM,Gorman, K,O'Halloran, E,Shahwan, A,Lynch, B,Lynch, SA,Ennis, S,King, MD (2016) 'Novel European SLC1A4 variant: infantile spasms and population ancestry analysis'. Journal Of Human Genetics, 61 :761-764 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Sydenham's chorea: not gone but perhaps forgotten'
Crealey, M.,Allen, N. M.,Webb, D.,Bouldin, A.,Mc Sweeney, N.,Peake, D.,Tirupathi, S.,Butler, K.,King, M. D. (2015) 'Sydenham's chorea: not gone but perhaps forgotten'. Arch Dis ChildArch Dis Child, 100 (1212):1160-2 [Details]
(2015) 'Chromosomal microarray in unexplained severe early onset epilepsy - A single centre cohort'
Allen, N. M.,Conroy, J.,Shahwan, A.,Ennis, S.,Lynch, B.,Lynch, S. A.,King, M. D. (2015) 'Chromosomal microarray in unexplained severe early onset epilepsy - A single centre cohort'. Eur J Paediatr NeurolEur J Paediatr Neurol, 19 (44):390-4 [Details]
(2015) 'Clinical Reasoning: Juvenile neurocognitive decline: A snaky diagnosis'
Allen, N. M.,Shahwan, A.,Madigan, C.,Nestor, T.,King, M. D. (2015) 'Clinical Reasoning: Juvenile neurocognitive decline: A snaky diagnosis'. NeurologyNeurology, 85 (2222) [Details]
(2015) 'The Bhutani Nomogram Reduces Incidence of Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia in Term and Near Term Infants'
O'Reilly, P.,Walsh, O.,Allen, N. M.,Corcoran, J. D. (2015) 'The Bhutani Nomogram Reduces Incidence of Severe Hyperbilirubinaemia in Term and Near Term Infants'. Ir Med JIr Med J, 108 (66):181-2 [Details]
(2014) 'Status dystonicus: a practice guide'
Allen, N. M.,Lin, J. P.,Lynch, T.,King, M. D. (2014) 'Status dystonicus: a practice guide'. Dev Med Child NeurolDev Med Child Neurol, 56 (22):105-12 [Details]
(2014) 'The variable phenotypes of KCNQ-related epilepsy'
Allen, N. M.,Mannion, M.,Conroy, J.,Lynch, S. A.,Shahwan, A.,Lynch, B.,King, M. D. (2014) 'The variable phenotypes of KCNQ-related epilepsy'. EpilepsiaEpilepsia, 55 (99) [Details]
(2014) 'Explosive onset non-epileptic jerks and profound hypotonia in an infant with Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome'
Allen, N. M.,Winter, T.,Shahwan, A.,King, M. D. (2014) 'Explosive onset non-epileptic jerks and profound hypotonia in an infant with Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome'. SeizureSeizure, 23 (33):237-9 [Details]
(2014) 'De Novo Interstitial Deletion 2q14.1q22.1: Is There a Recognizable Phenotype?'
Greally, MT,Robinson, E,Allen, NM,O'Donovan, D,Crolla, JA (2014) 'De Novo Interstitial Deletion 2q14.1q22.1: Is There a Recognizable Phenotype?'. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part A, 164 :3194-3202 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Excellent outcome with de novo 15q13.3 microdeletion causing infantile spasms--a further patient'
Allen, N. M.,Conroy, J.,Shahwan, A.,Ennis, S.,Lynch, B.,Lynch, S. A.,King, M. D. (2014) 'Excellent outcome with de novo 15q13.3 microdeletion causing infantile spasms--a further patient'. Am J Med Genet AAm J Med Genet A, 164a (77):1863-6 [Details]
(2013) 'Not all twitching is epileptic! Hand myoclonus in a boy with spinal cord tumor'
Allen, N. M.,Moran, M. M.,King, M. D. (2013) 'Not all twitching is epileptic! Hand myoclonus in a boy with spinal cord tumor'. J PediatrJ Pediatr, 162 (22):431-4310 [Details]
(2012) 'Limbic encephalitis in a boy with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies'
Allen, N. M.,Lynch, B.,Twomey, E. (2012) 'Limbic encephalitis in a boy with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies'. J PediatrJ Pediatr, 160 (66) [Details]
(2012) 'Excessive blinking and ataxia in a child with occult neuroblastoma and voltage-gated potassium channel antibodies'
Allen, N. M.,McKeon, A.,O'Rourke, D. J.,O'Meara, A.,King, M. D. (2012) 'Excessive blinking and ataxia in a child with occult neuroblastoma and voltage-gated potassium channel antibodies'. PediatricsPediatrics, 129 (55) [Details]
(2012) 'Variant late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis due to a novel heterozygous CLN8 mutation and de novo 8p23.3 deletion'
Allen, N. M.,O'HIci, B.,Anderson, G.,Nestor, T.,Lynch, S. A.,King, M. D. (2012) 'Variant late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis due to a novel heterozygous CLN8 mutation and de novo 8p23.3 deletion'. Clin GenetClin Genet, 81 (66):602-4 [Details]
(2011) 'Transcutaneous bilirubin - comparing the accuracy of BiliChek (R) and JM 103 (R) in a regional postnatal unit'
Qualter, YM,Allen, NM,Corcoran, JD,O'Donovan, DJ (2011) 'Transcutaneous bilirubin - comparing the accuracy of BiliChek (R) and JM 103 (R) in a regional postnatal unit'. Journal Of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 24 :267-270 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Stiff neonate with mitochondrial DNA depletion and secondary neurotransmitter defects'
Moran, M. M.,Allen, N. M.,Treacy, E. P.,King, M. D. (2011) 'Stiff neonate with mitochondrial DNA depletion and secondary neurotransmitter defects'. Pediatr NeurolPediatr Neurol, 45 (66):403-5 [Details]
(2011) 'Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia in a Newborn: Immediate Response to Lidocaine'
Allen, NM,Azam, M,Dunne, KP,Walsh, KP (2011) 'Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia in a Newborn: Immediate Response to Lidocaine'. Pediatric Cardiology, 32 :706-707 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Neonatal therapeutic hypothermia: practice and opinions in the Republic of Ireland'
Allen, NM,Foran, A,O'Donovan, DJ (2011) 'Neonatal therapeutic hypothermia: practice and opinions in the Republic of Ireland'. Archives Of Disease In Childhood-Fetal And Neonatal Edition, 96 :233-233 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Is neonatal group B streptococcal infection preventable?'
Azam, M.,Allen, N. M.,O'Donovan, D.,Moylett, E. (2011) 'Is neonatal group B streptococcal infection preventable?'. Ir Med J, 104 (55):149-51 [Details]
(2010) 'Images in neonatal medicine. Benign tonic downgaze of infancy'
Allen, N. M.,Tibussek, D.,Borusiak, P.,King, M. D. (2010) 'Images in neonatal medicine. Benign tonic downgaze of infancy'. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal EdArch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed, 95 (55) [Details]
(2010) 'Initial assessment of jaundice in otherwise healthy infants--a comparison of methods in two postnatal units'
Allen, N. M.,O'Donnell, S. M.,White, M. J.,Corcoran, J. D. (2010) 'Initial assessment of jaundice in otherwise healthy infants--a comparison of methods in two postnatal units'. Ir Med JIr Med J, 103 (1010):310-3 [Details]
(2010) 'Traumatic delivery, diaphragmatic paresis, and dextrocardia'
Allen, N. M.,Clarke, T.,Ryan, S. P.,Farombi-Oghuvbu, I. (2010) 'Traumatic delivery, diaphragmatic paresis, and dextrocardia'. J PediatrJ Pediatr, 156 (66) [Details]
(2009) 'Severe hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus: more caution is needed in newborn jaundice surveillance'
Allen, N. M.,Mohammad, F.,Foran, A.,Corcoran, D.,Clarke, T. (2009) 'Severe hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus: more caution is needed in newborn jaundice surveillance'. Ir Med JIr Med J, 102 (77):228-9 [Details]
(2007) 'Foam eater'
Allen, NM;O'Donovan, DJ (2007) 'Foam eater'. Journal Of Pediatrics, 151 :710-710 [DOI] [Details]
(2007) 'Expression and function of protease-activated receptor 4 in human myometrium'
Allen NM, O'Brien M, Friel AM, Smith TJ, Morrison JJ (2007) 'Expression and function of protease-activated receptor 4 in human myometrium'. American Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, 196 (2):1690-1696 [DOI] [Details]
(2005) 'Screening for haemoglobinopathy--a comparison of two methods in an Irish maternity unit'
Allen NM, Ni Riain M, Murray M, Hession M. (2005) 'Screening for haemoglobinopathy--a comparison of two methods in an Irish maternity unit'. Ir Med J, 98 (9):276-278 [Details]
(2004) 'Thrombin and PAR1-activating peptide: effects on human uterine contractility in vitro'
O'Sullivan CJ, Allen NM, O'Loughlin AJ, Friel AM, Morrison JJ (2004) 'Thrombin and PAR1-activating peptide: effects on human uterine contractility in vitro'. American Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology, 190 (4):1098-1105 [DOI] [Details]
(2004) 'PAR-4 modulation and thrombin in human pregnant myometrium'
Allen, NM,Friel, AM,Morrison, JJ (2004) 'PAR-4 modulation and thrombin in human pregnant myometrium'. American Journal Of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, :322-323 [Details]
(2004) 'Thrombin and PAR-1 agonism: Effects on human uterine contractility in vitro'
O'Sullivan, C. J., Allen, N. M., O'Loughlin, A. J., Friel, A. M. & Morrison, J. J. (2004) 'Thrombin and PAR-1 agonism: Effects on human uterine contractility in vitro'. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 190 :1098-1105 [Details]

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
ILAE Member /
ICNA member /
BPNA Member /

Teaching Interests

Discipline of Paediatrics (Medical Education): University of Galway (UoG)

The Academic Department of Paediatrics is part of University of Galway Medical School, main office located in the Clinical Science Institute, adjacent to Galway University Hospital. The formal UoG  academic team is comprised of one Established Professor, one Senior Lecturer, and Lecturers (Tutors) distributed across academies.

Affiliated hospitals of Saolta host teaching and clinical placements for the undergraduate programme within Medical Academies of University of Galway, situated in Mayo, Sligo, Letterkenny, and Portiuncula University Hospitals. This is comprised mainly of tutor staff, Deans of the Medical Academies, and senior clinical staff with or without honorary NUI Galway affiliations (e.g. Honorary Professor/Honorary Senior Lecturer), through the academic Clinician Advancement Programme (ACAP), University of Galway. ACAP is designed to encourage academic engagement and contribution by senior Saolta clinicians. Reciprocally, the program is intended to strengthen education, scholarship and innovation capacity of the Saolta Healthcare network.

We acknowledge honorary appointments through ACAP, playing a vital role in the education of our medical students and NCHDs in the clinical environment. Similarly, NCHDs play a vital part as role models/mentors and clinical teachers to in medical education, though largely informal, there are also formal opportunities.
 

Remit of the Paediatric Academic Department
Undergraduate
With the assistance of the affiliated hospitals (and respective University of Galway Medical Academies), it is the goal of the paediatric department to provide an informative and valuable learning experience in a safe and friendly environment. Students are exposed to a wealth of clinical cases and patient interactions during their attachments, with an emphasis of bedside teaching.

Teaching is delivered via a variety of modes including bedside tutorials, hands on patient history and examination, out-patient interactions, classroom interactive teaching sessions, simulation, Webcasts, skills seminars, problem-based learning, and slide-shows.

The majority of paediatric medical students spend one semester of their penultimate medical year attending an academy.
The curriculum is currently delivered in modular format with two modules, one in each semester. During semester one, students are introduced to basic concepts in the practice of paediatrics, whilst semester two introduces further application of knowledge, in-depth learning and case management.

The availability of excellence in clinical exposure and teaching due to expansion into the affiliated hospital academies has enabled increased capacity with delivery of parallel programs at each site. 
  The assessment process includes an MCQ exam and a case report at the end of module 1, and a written (modified essay questions) paper and OSCE at the end of module two.  Formative assessment is an integral component of each semester. Competency-based assessment is also part of the curriculum with the recent introduction of Mini-CEXs. Students actively provide course feedback which is incorporated into curriculum development. The opportunity for exposure to undergraduate research and paediatric electives are provided outside the teaching curriculum. Undergraduates are also provided with the opportunity to present original research at national and international meetings. Staff involved in delivery of the teaching, course delivery and assessment are presented below, with an emphasis on clinical activity, and dependency on our affiliated academies and medical staff in Saolta at GUH, PUH, MUH, LUH and SUH.  

University of Galway Paediatric Academic Staff Chair/Head of Department/Established Professor: Prof. NM Allen,  Senior Lecturer Dr E Moylett, Senior Lecturer Dr R Geoghegan,  Tutors Dr. Naveen Malik and Dr. Rachel Fallon Administration: Ms D Monroe

Academies: University of Galway Paediatric Tutor (Lecturer) Staff
Dr Caroline Richardson, Donegal Academy Dr Ann Dolan/Patricia Marley, Sligo Academy Dr Shyam Pathak, Mayo Academy Dr Noor Farahnadiah Nurdin - Portiuncula Academy

Galway University Hospital, Paediatric Clinical Consultant Staff
Dr D O'Donovan / Dr E Ryan (Honorary SLs) / Dr O Flanagan / Dr A Lyons / Dr M Herzig / Dr Niamh McGrath / Dr. E Reade / Dr. J Letshwiti / Dr. A. Ryan  

Mayo University Hospital, Paediatric Clinical Consultant Staff

Dr (Honorary Prof) M O¿Neill / Dr H Stokes / Dr AT Elabbas  

Portiuncula University Hospital, Paediatric Clinical Consultant Staff
Dr P Cahill / Dr F Neenan / Dr R Cooke / Dr P Curran (Honorary SL) / Dr J Nelson  

Sligo University Hospital, Clinical Consultant Staff
Dr R Tummaluru / Dr D Gallagher / Dr. Bilal Java / Dr G Harrison

Letterkenny University Hospital, Clinical Consultant Staff
Dr M Thomas / Dr B Power / Dr M Azam

Paediatric Undergraduate Examinations: The external examiner for the paediatrics in 2020-21 was Dr. Thomas Bourke, Senior Lecturer/Consultant Paediatrician, Queens University Belfast  

National Henry Hutchinsons intervarsity awards
in Paediatrics 2021
1st and 3rd Prize

See Research for PhD students

MSc. in Adolescent Health (University of Galway)
A Masters Degree in Adolescent Health launched in 2021 in collaboration with the Discipline of Children's Studies (University of Galway). This Degree spans a range of Modules, some of which are led by the Academic Dept/Discipline of Paediatric (Dr. E. Moylett and R. Geoghegan), with teaching and assessment contributions by clinical colleagues.

Paediatric NCHD Education:
Clinical Department
NCHD education is delivered on a daily basis with the assistance of the paediatric teams at our affiliated Hospitals, with hands on consultant-led teaching (bedside teaching, and supervised Patient Handover). Educational activities include weekly paediatric case presentations, and journal club and depending on sites, formal lecture series delivered by Consultants, and other inter-disciplinary team members. The Case Presentation session is an opportunity to review cases with valuable learning points. In addition, all NCHDs are trained in neonatal resuscitation. Perinatal morbidity and mortality meetings are conducted in conjunction with obstetrics/gynaecology and pathology departments. NCHDs are encouraged to become involved in research projects during their period of attachment as well as to present at national/ international meetings.
Annual Saolta-wide Western Regional Education Network (WREN) meetings take place.

Clinical Audit
Clinical audit is a key component of Paediatric clinical activity, some of which is presented to the hospital group, nationally or published as research.

Internal Collaborators

  Name Description of Collaboration
See Research Interests