Dr. Sophia Alvarez
MD, FAAP, FAES — Director of Pediatric Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
Pediatric Neurology & Clinical Neurophysiology
Biography & Clinical Philosophy
Dr. Sophia Alvarez is an expert in pediatric epilepsy, infantile spasms, and pediatric neurogenetics. Trained at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Dr. Alvarez spearheads the Video-EEG Monitoring Unit and Ketogenic Diet Clinic.
Education & Medical Training
Degrees & Medical Education
- MD — Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania
- BS in Neuroscience — Emory University
Residencies & Fellowships
- Child Neurology Residency — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
- Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship — CHOP
Clinical Research & Academic Inquiries
Precision therapeutic targeting in pediatric developmental epileptic encephalopathies.
Sacred Heart Journal Publications (1)
Browse In RepositoryLess Invasive Surfactant Administration (LISA) in Extremely Preterm Neonates (24–28 Weeks Gestation): Neurodevelopmental and Pulmonary Outcomes at 2 Years
Background: Non-invasive surfactant administration techniques seek to deliver exogenous surfactant while avoiding positive-pressure mechanical ventilation.\n\nMethods: In this prospective study of 188 extremely premature neonates born between 24+0 and 28+6 weeks gestation, patients receiving LISA via thin catheter during spontaneous breathing on CPAP were compared with standard InSurE technique.\n\nResults: The LISA cohort demonstrated a significantly lower rate of mechanical ventilation within the first 72 hours (28.7% vs 54.3%, p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (18.1% vs 31.9%, p = 0.028).\n\nConclusion: LISA is safe, feasible, and significantly reduces the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation in extremely preterm infants.
Get in Touch
For clinical inquiries, second opinions, and medical evaluations with Dr. Sophia Alvarez.