Dear friends and colleagues,

Is it our great pleasure to invite you to the 50th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Research – ESPR, which will take place in the fascinating city of Hamburg, Germany, October 9 - 12, 2009.

In keeping with the overwhelming achievement and outstanding participation at ESPR 2007 in Prague, the ESPR 2009 meeting aims to successfully advance paediatric research in Europe and promote the flow of exchange of information and ideas on subjects of great importance for paediatrics.

This annual paediatric meeting will highlight innovative perspectives on issues related to paediatric research, clinical care and outpatient care through its high quality scientific programme, currently evolving through collaboration between local and international experts. Content will be international in scope with speakers recognised for their academic and clinical achievements. State of the art plenary lectures will be featured as will oral presentations, and poster presentations. Featured topics will include relevant obstetric trials, fetal growth and metabolism, epigenetics, developmental plasticity, haemodynamics, infection and inflammation, developmental pharmacology, imaging and obesity. In addition, platform presentations will be directed towards divergent issues like ethics, the view of an architect on how a paediatric department should be built and the efficacy of all kinds of intervention programs Free papers on basic and clinical research are invited and encouraged on all aspects of paediatric research. We are committed to providing an opportunity for participants to interact and to discuss current and future issues related to paediatrics. Ample time is intended to be allowed for discussion in a friendly and conducive atmosphere.

In addition, an exceptional social program is being planned in accordance with the Meeting with special attention to the 50th Anniversary of the Society.

Hamburg, a vibrant city with its rich cultural heritage, beauty and world class meeting facilities, will make a great and memorable location for the ESPR 2009 Meeting.

We look forward to your active involvement as paediatric researchers and clinicians across Europe and hope you will contribute to the scientific program by submitting abstracts for oral and poster presentation.

Best wishes,

Prof. Neil Marlow
President
ESPR
Prof. Hans van Goudoever
Chair
Scientific Program Committee
Dr. Axel von der Wense
Chair
Local Organizing Committee