Arvo Ylppö
Encyclopedia
Arvo Henrik Ylppö was a Finnish
pediatrician who significantly decreased Finnish infant mortality during the 20th century. He is credited as the father of Finland's public child welfare clinic system, and held the title of archiater
for forty years. He is often referred to as the Dr. Benjamin Spock
of Finland.
Ylppö was born in 1887 in Akaa
, Finland
into a farming family. He was apparently born premature
and remained small in stature through his life. He entered the University of Helsinki
in 1906 and decided to specialize in pediatric medicine. In 1912 he moved to the Imperial Children's Hospital in Berlin
, Germany, where he wrote his thesis about infants' bilirubin
metabolism in 1913. It was printed in Germany. He graduated as medical doctor in March 1914 in Helsinki
.
While in Germany, Ylppö concentrated on research about children's pathological anatomy and attracted international recognition. In his research, he observed that deaths of prematurely born infants are usually due to treatable conditions rather than simple underdevelopment, which motivated advancement of treatment of and science related to prematurely born infants.
When he returned to Finland, in 1920, he became a teacher in Helsinki University Hospital
. In 1925 his post became the post for professor of pediatry.
Ylppö continued his research, wrote extensively to medical journals about child care. He supported efforts to expand Finnish nurse training, Finnish pharmacy industry, and public awareness about medical matters. From 1920 to 1963 he was chief physician for the Helsinki Children’s Castle hospital. He also had a private practice in Helsinki.
Arvo Ylppö retired 1957 but still sponsored many childcare initiatives. He died in January 1992 at the age of 104.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
pediatrician who significantly decreased Finnish infant mortality during the 20th century. He is credited as the father of Finland's public child welfare clinic system, and held the title of archiater
Archiater
An archiater was a chief physician of a monarch, who typically retained several. At the Roman imperial court, their chief held the high rank and specific title of Comes archiatrorum.The term has also been used of chief physicians in communities...
for forty years. He is often referred to as the Dr. Benjamin Spock
Benjamin Spock
Benjamin McLane Spock was an American pediatrician whose book Baby and Child Care, published in 1946, is one of the biggest best-sellers of all time. Its message to mothers is that "you know more than you think you do."Spock was the first pediatrician to study psychoanalysis to try to understand...
of Finland.
Ylppö was born in 1887 in Akaa
Akaa
Akaa is a town and a municipality in Pirkanmaa, Finland. It was created on January 1, 2007 when the town of Toijala and the municipality of Viiala were united into a single town. The municipality of Kylmäkoski was consolidated with Akaa on 1 January 2011....
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
into a farming family. He was apparently born premature
Premature birth
In humans preterm birth refers to the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age. The cause for preterm birth is in many situations elusive and unknown; many factors appear to be associated with the development of preterm birth, making the reduction of preterm birth a challenging...
and remained small in stature through his life. He entered the University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available...
in 1906 and decided to specialize in pediatric medicine. In 1912 he moved to the Imperial Children's Hospital in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany, where he wrote his thesis about infants' bilirubin
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is the yellow breakdown product of normal heme catabolism. Heme is found in hemoglobin, a principal component of red blood cells. Bilirubin is excreted in bile and urine, and elevated levels may indicate certain diseases...
metabolism in 1913. It was printed in Germany. He graduated as medical doctor in March 1914 in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
.
While in Germany, Ylppö concentrated on research about children's pathological anatomy and attracted international recognition. In his research, he observed that deaths of prematurely born infants are usually due to treatable conditions rather than simple underdevelopment, which motivated advancement of treatment of and science related to prematurely born infants.
When he returned to Finland, in 1920, he became a teacher in Helsinki University Hospital
HYKS
Helsinki University Central Hospital is the largest university hospital in Finland. It encompasses 16 hospitals in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, and has all major medical specialties represented...
. In 1925 his post became the post for professor of pediatry.
Ylppö continued his research, wrote extensively to medical journals about child care. He supported efforts to expand Finnish nurse training, Finnish pharmacy industry, and public awareness about medical matters. From 1920 to 1963 he was chief physician for the Helsinki Children’s Castle hospital. He also had a private practice in Helsinki.
Arvo Ylppö retired 1957 but still sponsored many childcare initiatives. He died in January 1992 at the age of 104.