Dr. Chitra Sankar

Dr Chitra Sankar is a highly experienced developmental paediatrician in Bangalore with over 38 years of experience in child development assessment, autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, neurodevelopmental follow-up of preterm infants, and early intervention planning.

She currently practises as a Consultant across multiple locations including Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur Road and Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bangalore.

Patients searching for the best child development specialist in Bangalore or a trusted paediatrician near Sarjapur Road will find in Dr Chitra the clinical depth and compassionate approach that makes a real difference for children and their families.

Whether your child needs a developmental assessment, autism evaluation, neurodevelopmental follow-up, or early intervention support, she provides comprehensive, evidence-based paediatric care. She consults in English and Kannada.

Area of Expertise

Developmental Assessment and Autism Diagnosis

Specialised evaluation of developmental milestones and early identification of neurodevelopmental conditions in young children.

• Developmental assessment of children from 1 day old to 3 years
• Autism spectrum disorder diagnosis using gold-standard tools (ADOS and ADI)
• Cerebral palsy evaluation and management
• ADHD and learning difficulties diagnosis and support
• Certified in the Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Babies (DASII)

Early Intervention and Developmental Follow-Up

Structured early intervention programs to support children in reaching their full developmental potential.

• Early intervention programs for developmental delays and disabilities
• Neurodevelopmental follow-up of preterm and VLBW infants
• Hospital-based and community-based developmental clinics
• Developmental screening and long-term follow-up care

General Paediatrics and Child Wellness

Holistic paediatric care covering physical, cognitive, and emotional development in children.

• General paediatric consultations and wellness check-ups
• Growth and development evaluation and management
• Guidance on nutrition, behaviour, and psycho-social development
• Mental health awareness and support for children

Professional Experience

Dr Chitra Sankar is currently associated with:

• Consultant, Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
• Consultant, Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bangalore

She has previously served as a Consultant at the Centre for Child Development and Disabilities, Malleswaram, Bangalore, where she gained focused clinical exposure in managing childhood disabilities and developmental conditions.

Credentials, Qualifications, and Memberships

Educational Qualifications

• MBBS from Madras Medical College, Chennai, 1988
• DCH (Diploma in Child Health) from Royal College of Physicians, London, 1996
• MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) from Royal College of Physicians, London, 1999

Dr Chitra Sankar further strengthened her expertise through a PGDDN (Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Nutrition) from the University of Kerala (2011), adding a valuable nutritional dimension to her paediatric practice.

She is certified in administering the Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Babies and trained in gold-standard autism diagnostic tools including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI). She is also actively involved in research on neurodevelopmental outcomes of VLBW and preterm infants in the Indian scenario.

Memberships

• Indian Association of Paediatrics (IAP)
• IAP Childhood Disability Group
• IAP Growth and Development Chapter
• Bangalore Paediatric Society (BPS)

Media Contributions

Dr Chitra Sankar has been featured in leading publications including South First, Asianet News, and Times Now News, sharing expert insight on topics such as children's mental health during the pandemic, the impact of COVID on children, and the link between skipping breakfast and psycho-social development in children.

Registration

• Karnataka Medical Council, Registration number 64284, since 2002

Book an Appointment

For expert consultation on developmental assessment, autism evaluation, ADHD, cerebral palsy, early intervention, or any paediatric developmental concern in Bangalore, book an appointment with Dr Chitra Sankar at Manipal Hospital, Sarjapur Road through HexaHealth for a smooth and priority consultation experience.