Dr. Nirubaa Umasankar

Dr. Nirubaa Umasankar

MBBS, DCH, MD (Paed)

Consultant Paediatrician & Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics,
Department of Paediatrics,
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Jaffna

unirubaa@yahoo.com
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URL to Institutional Repository
Positions
Qualifications
Publications
Research Interests
University of Jaffna
Senior Lecturer (Grade I) in Paediatrics. 2022 to date
Senior Lecturer (Grade Il) in Paediatrics. 2017 to 2022
Head of the Department of Paediatrics. 2017 to 2023
Member – Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. 2016 -to date
Secretary – Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna 2018- 2020
Vice Chairman – Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. 2020 -to date
Secretary – Medical Education cell 2016– 2021
Secretary – Curriculum Developmental and Evaluation committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna 2021- to date
Member Research and Development Committee – Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. 2020 – to date
Coordinator for ALERM course 2021 – to date
Student counselor 2019- 2020, 2022- to date
Member of Board of study of Medical Sciences – Faculty of Graduate Studies 2017-2021

 

Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM)
Member, Board of Study in Paediatrics, PGIM, University of Colombo. 2021– to date
Examiner for Selection Examination for DCH, – PGIM 2020 – to date
Examiner for Selection Examination for MD in Paediatrics- PGIM 2020 – to date

 

Membership in other organisations
Member  of the  Sri Lanka College of Paediatrician  Since 2009
Member, of the Jaffna medical Association Since 2015
Member of the Childhood respiratory disease study circle of Sri Lanka Since 2021

MBBS   

2002 

University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

DCH

2008

Postgraduate Institute of Medicine – University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

MD (Paediatrics)

2009

Postgraduate Institute of Medicine – University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Board Certification as Specialist in paediatrics

2010

Postgraduate Institute of Medicine – University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Peer reviewed publications in refereed journals
  1. Awareness of autism spectrum disorder among final year medical students and public health midwives N Umasankar Original paper SL J Psychiatry 2024; 15(1): 44-48 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v15i1.8507
  2. Umasankar, N., Sathees, T. and Sathiadas, M.G. (2024) ‘Quality of Life of Children with Asthma and Their Caregivers: A Study at a Single Tertiary Care Centre in Northern Sri Lanka’, Jaffna Medical Journal, 36(2), p. 33-40. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v36i2.222.
  3. Influence of Seasonality in Pediatric Respiratory Tract Infections: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Study in Jaffna’, Jaffna Medical Journal, 36(1), p. 45-47. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v36i1.208. Lukshiga, S., Thavaranjiny, S. Umashankar, N. and Sathiadas, M.G.
  4. Metabolic derangements and its association with the level of physical activity in obese and overweight children aged 8-14 years at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. Jaffna Medical Journal, 35(2), 18-22. https://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v35i2.189 Thavaranjiny, S. Niruba, U. & Sathiadas, M. G. Jaffna Medical Journal
  5. Arecanut aspiration: A mimic of eosinophilic lung disease. Jaffna Medical Journal, 35(2), p.47-48.DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v35i2.1982024 Jul 26 Kasthuri, T Umasangar, N. & Sathiadas, M.G. Jaffna Medical Journal
  6. Nirubaa, U. (2022). Assessment of parents’ or guardians’ satisfaction of in-patient health care provided to their children in a single unit at a tertiary care hospital. Jaffna Medical Journal, 34(2), 27-32.DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v34i2.166-
  7. Nirubaa, U., 2021. Burden of respiratory disease on hospital admission of children: Experience from a tertiary care centre.  Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 50(4), pp.661–666. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v50i4.9858
  8. Umasankar N. Impact of Covid 19 preventive measures on hospital admission due to respiratory illness in children at Professorial Paediatric unit Teaching Hospital Jaffna. Jaffna Medical Journal. 2021;33(2):31–5. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v33i2.135
  9. Umasankar, N. (2019). Bronchiolitis in children. Jaffna Medical Journal, 31(1). DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jmj.v31i1.61
  10. S.Arunthava Vinajagamoorthy, N.Umasankar, I.R.Ragunathan; (2019); Disease burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease among children attending the Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna.; Sri Lanka Journal of Cardiology. 2(1) pp 35-38.
  11. Nirubaa Umashankar(2018)  Impact of bronchial asthma on life styles in children with bronchial asthma in a tertiary care unit. The Jaffna Medical Journal. 30(1) pp3-6
  12. Manoji Gitanjali, Nirupa Umashankar,Reginold Ragunathan,Kasthuri Thangarajah. et al., (2017). Kawasaki disease shock syndrome: three cases. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health. 46(4), pp.381–383. DOI:http://doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v46i4.8391
  13. Umasankar, N, Sathiadas, M.G., (2016). Maternal stress level when a baby is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Teaching Hospital Jaffna and the influence of maternal and infant characteristics on this level. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health. 45(2), pp.90–94. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/sljch.v45i2.8003

 

Published Case Report
  1. Sathiadas, G., Umasankar, N. Challenges encountered in managing tuberculosis in children: a case report. J Med Case Reports (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05771-5
  2. Srinekethan L, Niruba U, Rajeevan T, Lukshiga S, Gitanjali S Meningococcaemia in a 9 year and 5-month-old child A case report Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2025 Vol.15(1):1-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v15i1.8720

 

Peer reviewed Presentations at National / International Conferences / Symposia
Published in Abstract form
  1. W Senavirathna, S Nirusika, K K iruththiha, M Kajiparan, M Suhirthan, Thirumagal S Umasankar N Parental and guardian satisfaction woth paediaytric inpatient care at the Teaching Hospital Jaffna Proceedings of the 9th Undergraduate Research Symposium November 2025 Page 55.
  2. Abisajini G, Liyanciya J, Jabishajini K, George Dilojan S, Vimukthi Dep W, Umasankar N, Thuvaraga S. Prevalence of digital eye strain and its associated factors among Advanced Level students in Jaffna Educational Zone. Proceedings of the 9th Undergraduate Research Symposium November 2025 Page 36.
  3. Nilukshan J, Dilukshini I, Juvopika T, Nuha Nuzhi A, Umasankar N, Suthan T. Prevalence of skipping breakfast, reasons for skipping breakfast and knowledge on healthy breakfast among advanced level students in Nallur Division. Proceedings of the 9th Undergraduate Research Symposium November 2025 Page 40.
  4. G1 , Umasankar N2 , Srisaravanapavananthan N3 Proceedings of Congress of Jaffna Medical Association, 18th-19th September 2025 Knowledge regarding Child Health Development record among mothers at Teaching Hospital Jaffna.
  5. Kavinda Dayasiri, Gihan Gunarathna, Aruna De Silva, N Umasankar, Sinnarajah Krishnapradeep, Nayani Suraweera, Vijayakumary Thadchanamoorthy Patterns and practices of prescriptions for children under five: a multi-centre study in Sri Lanka Proceedings of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians 27th annual scientific congress held 9-11th June 2025. OP 10
  6. N Umasankar, S Lukshiga, S Yadhury Sleep quality in paediatric asthma: implications for asthma control and comparative analysis with age- sex matched healthy children Proceedings of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians 27th annual scientific congress held 9-11th June 2025. PP 259
  7. Pramod HMT, Samaraweera MD, Gamage IUC, Mohanabthan K, Shireen MF, Umasankar N, Ramachandran R. Knowledge and practice of standard precautions and its association with selected sociodemographic factors among the nursing staff at Teaching Hospital Jaffna Proceedings of the 8th Undergraduate Research Symposium March 2025 Page 25
  8. Jashikka N, Sarjana B, Agaar MM, Mithuciga R, Dhuwakaran S, Nirubaa U, Parameswaran N. Body Mass Index and its association with selected sociodemographic factors and academic performance among grade 10 students of Nallur Educational Division Proceedings of the 8th Undergraduate Research Symposium March 2025 Page 26
  9. Nagulendran S, Gnanasekaran M, Kamaleswaran S, Raveendirarasa V, Adikari AMCR, Nirubaa U, Sooriyakanthan M. Quality of sleep and associated factors among GCE A/L biology and mathematics stream students of Nallur Educational Division Proceedings of the 8th Undergraduate Research Symposium March 2025 Page 30
  10. Pathways to accessing healthcare and associated factors among young febrile children admitted to the pediatric wards of Teaching Hospital Jaffna March 2024 Mohamed Hafeel Muhammedh Faseeha SF, Aathil Ahamed Y, Wijayabandara SGMUS, Mhathulaa K, Kumar R, Umasankar N. 7th Undergraduate Research Symposium, FOM, UOJ
  11. Umasankar N, Gobika P, Kalaichelvi P, Sathiadas MG, Awareness of autism disorder among final year medical students and public health midwives. Proceedings of Annual Academic Sessions of the Jaffna Medical Association 2023 held from 31st August to 2nd September. PP 41-42
  12. Impact of covid 19 on the education and health of schooling children in Sri Lanka; A multi-provincial study; Kavinda Dayasiri, V.Thadchanamoorthy, Imalke kankananarachchi, Dr.N Umasankar, Senuri Dassanayake, Sonali Gunasekara, Sachith Mettnanda; Proceedings of the Sri Lanka college of paediatricians 24th Annual scientific congress 2022; FP06; Page 75-
  13. P.A.D.Coonghe, Prof.R.Surenthirakumaran, Dr.B.Kumarendran, Dr.R.Kesavan, Prof.K.Muhunthan, Dr.N.Umasankar, Dr.N.Pearce, Dr.S.Nithyananda, Dr.D.A.Lawlor, Dr.S.sivaganesh, Dr.S.Balakumar, Dr.S.Sathees; Maternal factors associated with low birth weight amoung deliveries registerd in 2020 in the Nallur Medical Officer of Health, Srilanka; Proceeding & Abstracts RCFMJ 2022 page 23-24; http://www.juice .jfn.ac.lk/rcfmj/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RCFMJ-Proceedings –
  14. K.Dayasiri, Dr.V.Thadchanamoorthy, Dr.I.Kankananarachchi, Dr.Kavinda Dayasiri, Dr.Imake Kankananarachchi, Dr.N.Umasankar, Dr.Seniri Gunasekara, Prof.Sachith Mettananda; Impact of COVID 19 on the education & health of schooling children in Srilanka; Multi- provincial study ; Archives of Disease in childhood 2022; 107:A330-A331-
  15. Umasankar N, GowrinesanY Sathiadas MG Navaratnaraja TS Surenthirakumaran R Srisaravanapavananthan N; Randomized controlled paralled arm clinical trail comparing humidified high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy and conventional treatment in infants with moderate and severe bronchiolitis; Proceeding JMA September 2022 Page 43-44
  16. Vithusikan C, Mahinthini S, Midhuna U, Shafna UA, Umasankar N, Sathiadas MG; Disease burden of specific viral aetiology in bronchiolitis and the correlation of it to the seveity in a single unit; Proceeding JMA September 2022 Page 54-55
  17. Dayasiri K, Thadchanamoorthy V, Kankananarachchi I, Kavinda Dayasiri, V Thadchanamoorthy, Imalke Kankananarachchi, Nirubaa Umasankar, Senuri Dassanayake, Sonali Gunasekara, Sachith Mettananda; Impact of COVID 19 on the education and health of schooling children in Sri Lanka; a multi-provincial study; Archives of Disease in Childhood 2022;107:A330-A331.
  18. Coonghe PAD, Surenthirakumaran R, Kumarendran B, Kesavan R, Muhunthan K, Umasankar N, Pearce N, Nithyananda S, Lawlor DA, Sivaganesh S, Balakumar S, Sasrubi S;  Maternal factors associated with low birth weight among deliveries registered in 2020 in t he Nallur Medical Officer of Health, Sri Lanka; Proceedings  and Abstracts RCFMJ 2022  page 23-24; https://www.juice.jfn.ac.lk/rcfmj/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/RCFMJ-Proceedings-and-Abstracts.pdf
  19. Kavinda Dayasiri, V.Thadchanamoorthy, Imalke kankananarachchi, Nirubaa Umasanakr, Senuri Dassanauake, Sonali Gunasekara, Sachith Mettananda; Imapct of Covid 19 on the education and health of schooling children in Sri lanka ; A multi   provincial study; Proceedings of the Sri Lanka College of paediatricians 24th Annual scientific congress April 2022; Volume 6 No.1 Page 75
  20. Umasankar N; Impact of Covid 19 preventive measures on hospital admission due to respiratory illness in children at professorial Paediatric unit Teaching Hospital Jaffna.   Proceedings JMA-October – 2021;53
  21. Umasankar N;Assessment of parents’ or guardians’ satisfaction of in-patient health care provided to their children in a tertiary care hospital. Proceedings JMA-October – 2021;54
  22. I. Whiteman, A. Jones, K. Selvarajah, C. De Silva, G. Sathiadas, N. Umasankar,   C. Osmond, D. Phillips,R. Ragunathan;  Poor Domestic Smoke Ventilation is associated With an Increased Risk of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Sri Lankan Children; Heart lung and circulation volume 29 supplement 2;2020; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2020.09.754
  23. N.Umasankar, M.N.Ifthihal Assessing the disease burden of respiratory disease among children admitted to the professorial paediatric ward teaching hospital Jaffna; Proceedings JMA- August -2019
  24. N Umashankar, A Azmy, M Balasubramaniyam; Impact of bronchial asthma on lifestyle in children with bronchial asthma  in a tertiary care  unit; Anuradhapura Medical Journal 2015volume 09 issue 02 page 16
  25. N.Umasankar, M.G.Sathiadas Maternal stress when the baby is admitted to the NICU and the influence of maternal and infant characters. Anuradhapura scientific sessions 2014; Page 15

 

Chapters and Books of Scholarly Work published in the relevant field

Asthma – Guide for parents and children: Published by Department of Paediatrics Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna; ISBN; 978-624-6150-00-6

  1. Respiratory diseases in children
  2. Allergy
  3. Asthma in children