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Contribution of Dr. Shyam Swarup Agarwal in Field of Padiatrics

Swami Rohan Baswaraj, Kasumbiwal Ajay H, Lakhe Siddheshwar A, Pavani Kaithi

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Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -I)):p 243-245, July-December 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.50

How Cite This Article:

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Pavani Kaithi, et al. Contribution of Dr. Shyam Swarup Agarwal in Field of Padiatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 243-245.

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Received : December 11, 2025         Accepted : December 31, 2025          Published : December 31, 2025

Abstract

Dr. Shyam Swarup (S. S.) Agarwal (1941–2013) was a pioneering Indian clinician– scientist whose work transformed the landscape of medical genetics and clinical immunology in the country. After receiving advanced training in human genetics, immunology, and molecular biology in the United States, he returned to India with a vision to establish these emerging fields as structured clinical disciplines. He built some of the earliest genetics research programs in India and was instrumental in founding the nation’s first dedicated Department of Medical Genetics at SGPGIMS, Lucknow, along with the first DM training program in Medical Genetics. Dr. Agarwal made substantial contributions to pediatric genetics, especially in thalassemia control programs, newborn and carrier screening, rare disease diagnosis, and the development of ethical and evidence-based genetic counseling practices. Working through limited infrastructure and considerable institutional challenges, he played a key role in shaping national policies, mentoring future leaders, and establishing sustainable, patient-centered genetic services. His pioneering efforts laid the foundation for modern clinical and pediatric genetics in India, and his legacy continues to guide research, training, and clinical practice across the country. Key Messages: Dr. S. S. Agarwal pioneered medical genetics in India, establishing its first department and training program. His work advanced pediatric thalassemia control, newborn screening, and rare-disease diagnosis, creating systems linking science, clinical care, and policy.


References

  • 1.   Obituary: Dr. S.S. Agarwal. Indian J Med Res. 2013; 138: 1019–1021.
  • 2.   Rao V.R., Ghosh K. Medical genetics in India. Indian J Hum Genet. 2011; 17: 157–165.
  • 3.   Blumberg B.S., Agarwal S.S. DNA polymerase activation in lymphocytes. J Immunol. 1972; 109: 931–938.
  • 4.   Agarwal S.S. et al. Genetic effects of the Bhopal gas tragedy. Mutat Res. 1991; 250: 131–140.
  • 5.   Madhusudan K. et al. Handigodu disease description. Clin Genet. 1994; 45: 234–238.

Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.


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Cite this article

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Pavani Kaithi, et al. Contribution of Dr. Shyam Swarup Agarwal in Field of Padiatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 243-245.


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 11, 2025 December 31, 2025 December 31, 2025

DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.50

Keywords

Medical GeneticsPediatric GeneticsThalassemiaNewborn ScreeningRare Diseases

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Timeline


Received December 11, 2025
Accepted December 31, 2025
Published December 31, 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.


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