This section looks back at the PGPR Symposia and Workshops between the years of 2004 to 2007. It is our plan to make the information for each of these events available on this website shortly.
Date: May 2004
Location: San Francisco
At the May 2004 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in San Francisco, PGPR held its first symposium, focusing on several major diseases affecting children in developing regions: micronutrient deficiency, malaria and tuberculosis. In addition, abstracts of original research in global childhood disease were presented by scientists chosen from those who responded to an international call.
Invited participants from 18 countries attended PGPR’s first workshop, on the day after the symposium. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the ongoing need for and potential of PGPR.
Date: May 2005
Location: Washington
Approximately one million babies die each year as a result of factors commonly referred to as “birth asphyxia”. At least as many infants who survive asphyxia must cope with lifelong mental and physical handicaps. The methods of prevention and treatment of birth asphyxia, from which rich countries have benefited during the last 30 years, have not reached the poorest countries where the risk is highest. Therefore, most of the deaths and disabilities associated with birth asphyxia take place in developing countries. PGPR convened a symposium and workshop on the global crisis of birth asphyxia.
This follow-up workshop was held on the day immediately following the related symposium and was attended by 80 physicians and researchers from 27 countries.
Workshop participants were paediatric researchers engaged in academic and/or field work throughout the world. They included representatives of numerous academic institutions; Saving Newborn Lives/Save the Children, U.S.A.; The National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, U.S.A., including The Global Network for Maternal and Child Health Research; The World Health Organization; The International Pediatric Association; The Canadian Neonatal Network; International Collaboration of Neonatal Networks; The Vermont-Oxford Neonatal Network; The International Clinical Epidemiology Network; Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trials in Health Care; and members of paediatric societies from countries around the world.
Date: May 2006
Location: San Francisco
This three-part symposium focused on the serious problem of neonatal infectious diseases in developing countries. Parts 1 and 3 were comprised of expert presentations providing an overview of the problem, instances of work that is being done in the area, and region-specific information. Part 2 featured platform presentations from selected abstracts on issues included in the study of neonatal infectious diseases in developing countries.
At the follow-up workshop on May 3 colleagues from high-, mid- and low-income countries, who are working in fields related to neonatal infectious diseases, met in order to examine the critical issues and establish clear plans for collaborative study and other action. We are now working on a summary of the workshop proceedings and discussions.
Date: October 2006
Location: Bangkok
PGPR’s fourth symposium was held October 5, 2006 in conjunction with the 14th Congress of the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies. This three-part symposium focussed on the antenatal and intrapartum causes of perinatal asphyxia and stillbirths in developing countries. Parts 1 and 3 were comprised of expert presentations providing an overview of the issues and region-specific information. Part 2 featured platform presentations from abstracts selected following an international call.
At the follow-up workshop on October 6, colleagues from low-, mid- and high-income countries, with expertise in perinatal asphyxia and stillbirths, met in order to examine the critical issues and establish clear plans for collaborative study and other action.
Date: May 2007
Location: Toronto
This three-part symposium focused on global childhood diseases which can impair development. Parts 1 and 3 were comprised of expert presentations providing an overview of the problems and issues and instances of work that is being done. Part 2 featured platform presentations from selected abstracts on related issues.
At the follow-up workshop on May 9 colleagues from high-, mid- and low-income countries met in order to examine the critical issues and establish clear plans for collaborative study on outcomes.
Date: October 2007
Location: China
The sessions focused on the effects of environmental pollution on fetal and child development. Particular emphasis was placed on child health in developing countries. The symposium was comprised of expert presentations providing an overview of the problems, issues and instances of work that is being done; poster presentations from selected abstracts on related issues; and structured panel discussions and open forums focused on determining research that is needed.
