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Small for Gestational Age:  Issues in 2008
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Novo Nordisk in cooperation with Scherer Clinical Communications
Date:  Saturday, May 3, 2008
Time:  7pm – 9pm
Location:  Coral Ballroom IV

Small for gestational age (SGA) infants account for about 10% of all live births. While the majority of these children show catch-up growth by 2 years of age, approximately 15% do not and continue to experience poor growth throughout childhood.

The major cause of morbidity and mortality in infancy and childhood is low birth weight. Additionally, children born SGA show an increased mortality from a wide range of disorders, including coronary artery disease and stroke later in life.

Children born SGA have also been shown to have a lower cognitive ability in mathematics and in reading comprehension. Those children who do not experience catch up growth in height or head circumference exhibit the worst outcome.

A recent consensus statement, published by Peter Clayton, MD and colleagues, suggests that it is important to consider this data in the overall healthcare management plan of SGA individuals. For those children with demonstrated SGA and lack of catch up growth by age 2, early examination in a growth clinic is warranted.

This symposium will discuss the genetic determinants of size at birth, assess the risk of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, and review the treatment of growth failure in children born SGA.   

For registration information please contact:
Peter Macholdt
609-466-6458
info@schereclin.com
www.schererclin.com/PED08 

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Emerging Paradigms in the Clinical Management of Short Stature
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Gate Pharmaceuticals in cooperation with Vindico Medical Education
Date:  Sunday, May 4, 2008
Time:  6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location:  Coral Ballroom V 

There is an increased understanding of the intricate relationship between growth hormone deficiency and patients with short stature.  Recent clinical evidence has enhanced the clinician’s ability to diagnose and treat growth hormone-related deficiencies. This interactive symposium will highlight current evidence-based science of growth hormone-related deficiencies and how they apply to the treatment of pediatric patients.  An expert faculty will review and discuss clinically relevant applications of growth hormone therapies and identify ways to overcome resistance and suboptimal growth response in patients with short stature, as well as analyze new applications of growth hormone therapy in different disease states. 

For registration information please contact:
Meeting Registration
856-994-9400, ext 219 or 476
meetingregistration@vindicomeded.com 

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Through the Eyes of a Child: Insights and Strategies in the Treatment of Pediatric Diabetes
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Sanofi-Aventis in cooperation with The Diabetes Consortium, Inc
Date:  Sunday, May 4, 2008
Time:  6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location:  Coral Ballroom I 

During this program content will address the state of medical care in the treatment of diabetes (types 1 and 2) in the pediatric population.  The focus will be on the turnkey, best practice models across the multiplicity of caregivers and healthcare providers; the distinguished faculty will discuss family, school, hospital and community-based models, highlighting areas for physician action and leadership with patients and their families.  This satellite symposium will use a highly interactive format to engage participants in a discussion of the models that can be adapted for use by program participants in their own practices.  

For registration information please contact:
Christine Giordano
973-263-0338, ext 329
cgiordano@thediabetesconsortium.org

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Recent Progress of Probiotics Research
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.
Date:  Sunday, May 4, 2008
Time:  6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location:  Coral Ballroom II 

The human colon is an extremely complex ecosystem in which individual bacteria exist in a multiplicity of different microhabitats and metabolic niches. The microbiota are composed of several hundred different bacterial species. Information regarding the composition of the gut microbiota has largely been based on studies on feces, which have mostly been conducted using traditional culture methods. There has been a continually growing interest in probiotic products, which are now available worldwide and offer various beneficial health effects for humans. Obviously, detailed investigation of the modulation effects of the composition, numbers, safety issues, and other aspects related to the intestinal microbiota is necessary. Although the analysis of intestinal microbiota can be time consuming and troublesome, recently suitable research methods have been developed. These methods are expected to replace the traditional culture methods. In this symposium, a novel analytical system based on the findings of current research in probiotics will be discussed.
Online Application is now available at : https://cos.congre.co.jp/aspr_iss/e/reg.php
For more information please contact:
Ms. Kayo Nomura, Secretariat for the ISS-Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.
+81-3-5216-5551
+81-3-5216-5552 (fax)
nomura@congre.co.jp 
https://cos.congre.co.jp/aspr_iss/e/reg.php

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Title:  Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Pharmacoeconomics, Outcomes, and New Strategies
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Dey, L.P. in cooperation with CME Fission.

Date:  Sunday, May 4, 2008
Time:  6:30pm – 8:30pm

Location:  Coral Ballroom IV 

Despite the sharp reduction in the deaths of premature infants worldwide, there is a wide variation in standards of treatment among neonatal centers. Therefore, the need to standardize treatment with scientifically proven methods remains controversial but paramount.  This educational activity will begin with an evaluation of surfactant treatment, both artificial and natural, relative to available pharmacoeconomic and mortality data.  A discussion of the natural history of  patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) along with an examination of the effects of symptomatic PDA on neonatal outcomes and optimal times for closure with different agents will follow.  The evolution of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial data has also become of significant interest to the neonatal community. Therefore, this valuable educational program will close with an evaluation of CPAP with a significant focus on the COIN trial.   

For registration information please contact:
Mr. Nelson Rosado
Nelson.rosado@cmefission.com

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Pediatric Respiratory Disease:  Diagnosis, Prophylaxis and Treatment in the Premature and Late Preterm Infant
Sponsored by an Educational Grant by MedImmune, Inc. in cooperation with Vindico Medical Education
Date:  Monday, May 5, 2008
Time:  6am – 8am
Location:  Coral Ballroom I 

Recent advances in the understanding of RSV disease pathophysiology and its impact on the health of premature and pre-term infants in the respiratory system have led to an increased need for rapid diagnosis and treatment.  This symposium will discuss the rapid diagnosis and treatment of RSV as well as the continuity of care from the specialist to the primary care pediatrician. 

For registration information please contact:
Meeting Registration
856-994-9400, ext 219 or 476
meetingregistration@vindicomeded.com 

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Neonatal Respiratory Critical Care:  Pioneering Change
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Discovery Laboratories in cooperation with Total CME, Inc.
Date:  Monday, May 5, 2008
Time:  6am – 8am
Location:  Tapa Ballroom III 

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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents-Management of an Emerging Crisis
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Eli Lilly and Company in cooperation with Optima Educational Solutions
Date:  Monday, May 5, 2008
Time: 6am – 8am
Location:  Tapa Ballroom II 

There is a growing crisis of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in youths. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that between 8% and 45% of children newly diagnosed with diabetes have T2DM. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a new morbidity in children and adolescents; in pediatric patients, it heralds earlier onset of cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, with risk of impaired quality of life and premature death. In US children, the prevalence of T2DM is expected to exceed that of type 1 diabetes mellitus within 10 years. This program will identify the risk factors and demonstrate the criteria for early diagnosis. Differences in approaches to treating youths versus adults will be clarified. Because the stage of diagnosis for T2DM in children and adolescents is often late, there is a great need to emphasize the key role of aggressive management of hyperglycemia. Early and aggressive intervention can potentially inhibit progression to frank T2DM. This program will provide current approaches and care standards for managing T2DM in children and adolescents.  

For registration information please contact:
Donna Dunaj
203-221-4612
ddunaj@optimaed.com

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New Insights and Concepts in Precocious Puberty
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from Indevus in cooperation with ACCELMED
Date:  Monday, May 5, 2008
Time:  6am – 8am
Location:  Coral Ballroom III  

Central precocious puberty (CPP) has significant physical and emotional implications for children. It is critical that pediatric endocrinologists and other healthcare professionals appropriately identify patients who are candidates for treatment and initiate them on GnRH agonist therapy in order to preserve adult height. Because new data on GnRH agonist therapies continue to emerge, continuing medical education is an optimal forum in which clinicians can keep up-to-date with the latest advances in the management of CPP. Accordingly, this activity will include a brief history of GnRH agonists that will preface a discussion on the future of GnRH therapy. This discussion will be followed by a brief overview of the diagnosis of idiopathic CPP and appropriate candidates for GnRH agonist therapy. The presentation will next focus on new insights into the genomics of CPP, including molecular causes and candidate genes. Subsequently, the faculty will present on the benefits and limitations of widely used subcutaneous and intramuscular GnRH agonist therapies.  Finally, detailed information on new and emerging formulations of GnRH agonist therapies will be provided. The faculty will conclude the activity with an interactive question-and-answer session that will assist clinicians with translating the information learned into practical clinical care.   

 For registration information please contact:
Derek Keele
866-904-2048
www.ACCELMED.org

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Understanding and Managing the Burden of Pediatric and Adolescent ADHD
Supported by an Educational Grant by Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC
Jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and M2 Communications, Inc.
Date:  Monday, May 5, 2008
Time:  6am – 8am
Location:  Coral Ballroom II 

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric diagnosis of childhood, affecting an estimated 4% to 12% of the US school-age population.  Approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD are dynamic, evolving as new information about subtypes, burden and treatment options becomes available. 

Therapies that are currently approved in the United States for the treatment of ADHD can be categorized as stimulants (including long-acting stimulants) and nonstimulants.  Despite a large body of evidence that pharmacologic therapy significantly benefits patients with ADHD, public perception of ADHD medications remains negative, and a significant proportion of individuals with ADHD fail to receive appropriate treatment.  Pediatricians need accurate, up-to-date information on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD if they are to overcome these misconceptions and provide the best evidence-based care to patients with this disorder. 

This program is designed for pediatricians and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of children and adolescents ADHD. 

• Evolving Burden of ADHD: Ages 7, 12 and 17
• Recognition and Management of ADHD Comorbidities
• Practical solutions for Managing ADHD:  Ages 7, 12 and 17

Jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky Colleges of Pharmacy and Medicine and M2Communications, Inc.

For registration information please contact:
Suzanne Marino
201-433-9400 x 243
http://www.m2usa.com/adhd/

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Clinical Debates on the Treatment and Management of Patients with IGFDSponsored by an Educational Grant from Tercica in cooperation with Consensus Medical Communications
Date:  Monday, May 5, 2008
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Location:  Coral Ballroom IV 

This symposium will be presented in a unique clinical debate format called Clinical Science Investigations (CSI).  The CSI will utilize a 4-member faculty panel of IGF-I experts, including a chairperson/moderator.  The faculty will present data and their positions on 3 controversial issues: 

• How Do We Define Primary and Secondary IGFD?

• How Do We Manage Primary and Secondary IGFD?

• How Do We Define Treatment Success/Failure and What Are Our Options? 

An interactive debate, moderated by the chair and including all expert panelists, will follow each presentation. Prior to the debate portion, the moderator will ask the audience a controversial question regarding the topic that was just presented. The audience will answer, using an audience response system (ARS).  The speaker panel will immediately see the ARS results.  That same question will then be asked of the speakers’ panel to begin the debate amongst the experts.  The similarities OR differences in the speakers’ AND the audience’s answers will provide clarity as to practice gaps within the pediatric endocrinology community.  This type of forum will provide a unique way for the speakers and audience to interact with each other. 

For registration information please contact:
Beth Dovey
303-662-1144
bdovey@consensusmedical.com
www.IGFDcmeDebates.com 

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Early Puberty: Identifying Children at Risk
Sponsored by an Educational Grant from TAP Pharmaceuticals in cooperation with American Academy of Physician Education
Date:  Monday, May 5, 2008
Time:  7pm – 9pm
Location:  Coral Ballroom II 

Recent articles about early puberty have muddied the clinical waters.  Scientific and media reports have suggested that normal children are maturing at earlier ages, causing much confusion between early puberty resulting from medical conditions and benign early puberty.  One critic suggests that children who begin puberty at the early side of normal may be treated inappropriately because the line between normal and pathological has been blurred. 

An update from experts on diagnostic dilemmas around 1) true central precocious puberty, 2) the impact of being born small for gestational age, 3) and the impact of obesity on the timing and tempo of puberty will clarify the division between normal and detrimental. 

In this activity, top pediatric endocrinologists will navigate among normal variants of development, and the impact of pathology, developmental anomalies, and lifestyles on the timing of puberty. 

All will learn the clinical hallmarks of normal and detrimental forms of puberty, and all will have the opportunity to practice treatment decisions in this interactive presentation complete with interactive case studies.  This activity will focus on practical clinical information rather than historical perspectives and epidemiology, providing clinicians with tools for practice today. 

For registration information please contact:
Jeff Hillier
561-504-4745
jhillier@mdedu.org
www.mdedu.org/registration/pas.html