Dear friends, dear colleagues,
it is my distinct pleasure and honour to invite you to the forthcoming international Symposium on Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases held in Paris in September 2009. This symposium is the first international meeting particularly dedicated to pediatric forms of IBD and organized by the IBD working group of ESPGHAN in collaboration with pediatric IBD experts form NASPGHAN and all over the world making it a true international event. This meeting follows up on the very successful European pediatric IBD symposium in Rome in november 2006.
We are living in a very exciting period assisting to major scientific advances in the field of inflammatory processes. Recent genetic, immunological and microbiological breakthroughs allowed to gain deep insight into the pathophysiology of inflammatory GI disorders. However, despite these rapid progresses, the origin of IBD remains still enigmatic and no curative approach exists for these chronic and life-long diseases affecting more and more patients. It is long known by clinicians who take care of pediatric IBD that the majority of children present with severe forms of IBD. Recent research data confirm this clinical notion identifying young age as a particular risk factor (with perhaps a more important genetic impact on pediatric compared to adult forms of IBD). Analyzing the early onset events of a lifelong disorder may help to identify the origin of some forms of IBD or at least to improve our understanding of initial and key pathological steps. There is a major need to develop new scientific approaches for these forms of IBD and also to define adequate and efficacious treatment strategies.
We are very pleased to bring you together with scientific and clinical leaders from all over the world in the field of pediatric as well as adult IBD, immunology and microbiology and all related specialities during these 2.5 days in September 2009.
The very ambitious and innovative programme is based on a well balanced exchange of basic science and clinical research allowing state of the art view of the recent advances in pediatric IBD and a lot of time for discussions.
In addition to the rich scientific programme, I am sure that you will profit from the wonderful late summer/early fall season in Paris. The cultural background of Paris gives a pleasant and impressive setting for such a highly ambitious scientific meeting.
Looking forward to welcoming and hosting you in September 2009 in Paris.
A bientôt
Prof. Frank M. Ruemmele
President of PIBD 090909