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Pediatric Education and Research 13(2):p 370-373, July-Dec 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.86
Review Article
Contribution of Dr. Rita Levi Montalcini in Field of Paediatrics
Manisha Mohan Naidu, Kasumbiwal Ajay H, Dake Mangesh, Tambe Pranita
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Pediatric Education and Research 13(2):p 370-373, July-Dec 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.86
How Cite This Article:
Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Dake Mangesh V., Tambe Pranita, et al. Contribution of Dr. Rita Levi Montalcini in Field of Paediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 370-373.Timeline
Received : December 10, 2025
Accepted : December 22, 2025
Published : December 30, 2025
Abstract
Rita Levi-Montalcini was a pioneering neuroscientist whose discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF) profoundly influenced modern neuroscience and pediatric medicine. Her work provided crucial insights into the mechanisms of neuronal growth, differentiation, and survival, which have significant implications for child health and neurodevelopmental disorders. This article highlights the life, scientific contributions, challenges, and lasting legacy of Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini with a special focus on pediatrics. NGF, discovered by Levi-Montalcini, plays a vital role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system during infancy and childhood. It has been shown to influence neuronal maturation, synaptic plasticity, and regeneration, making it particularly relevant in pediatric neurological conditions such as congenital neuropathies, cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental delay, and perinatal brain injury.1–3 Beyond the nervous system, NGF has also been implicated in immune regulation and tissue repair, opening new therapeutic possibilities in pediatric inflammatory and genetic disorders.4,5 Despite facing significant obstacles including gender discrimination and racial persecution during World War II, Levi-Montalcini continued her research under extremely challenging circumstances, demonstrating remarkable perseverance and dedication to science.6 Her achievements were recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986, inspiring generations of researchers and clinicians worldwide.7 In pediatrics, her work laid the foundation for translational research targeting neuroprotection, neuroregeneration, and early intervention strategies in childhood neurological disorders.8–10 Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini’s scientific legacy continues to shape pediatric neuroscience, emphasizing the importance of fundamental research in improving child health outcomes Key Message: The discovery of NGF revolutionised concepts of neuronal growth and survival and opened new approaches to paediatric neurological disorders, showing how perseverance and innovative thinking can advance science and clinical practice.
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Cite this article
Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Dake Mangesh V., Tambe Pranita, et al. Contribution of Dr. Rita Levi Montalcini in Field of Paediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 370-373.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2025 | December 22, 2025 | December 30, 2025 |
DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.86
Keywords
• Rita Levi-Montalcini• Nerve Growth Factor• NGFPaediatric neuroscience• Neuron development• Neurotrophins• Women in science• Neurodevelopmental disorders• NeurodegenerationSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | December 10, 2025 |
| Accepted | December 22, 2025 |
| Published | December 30, 2025 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
