Introduction
Society gets increasingly complex. Changes involve altered ways of communication and informationexchange, changes in food consumption and in the age at which women get their first child. Postponement of motherhood is associated with an increase in fertility problems and the application of assisted reproductive technology (ART), such as in vitro fertilization. ART in turn is associated with an increased risk for preterm birth and low birthweight. Preterm birth and low birthweight are well known risk factors for developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder and attention deficit
hyperactivity
disorder.
Central questions at the ‘Impact of Intervention’ Meeting are ‘Does
stress in early life affect the
developing human nervous system?’ ‘What about the effects of nutrition
and in vitro fertilization on
developmental outcome?’ What are the consequences of preterm birth on
the developing brain, i.e.
what are the sequelae in terms of type of brain lesion and in terms of
functional outcome?’ ‘Which
lesions or functional deviations are amenable for early intervention
and what should early
intervention look like?’ What is the role of families in intervention
and what is the position of
professionals?’The congress will be a meeting place of scientists involved in fundamental aspects of brain development and scientists and clinicians dealing with children with minor and major developmental disorders. Ample time will be devoted to general discussions. Participants are encouraged to bring posters with their latest results.
Organization:
Mijna Hadders-Algra | Beatrix Children’s Hospital Inst. Developmental NeurologyArend Bos | Beatrix Children’s Hospital Division Neonatology
Karel Maathuis | Center for Rehabilitation
Loes de Weerd | Beatrix Children’s Hospital Inst. Developmental Neurology
Harry Gubbels | Wenckebach Instituut
