Symposium to highlight important issues in practice, internationally known experts

Issue: October 2013

This year’s Infectious Diseases in Children Symposium, to be held Nov. 16-17, will feature an exciting panel of pediatric infectious diseases experts discussing the most important clinical issues facing pediatricians today.

“We are delighted to have some of the speakers return from years past and are excited to have some new speakers on the panel. One of the phenomenal aspects of this meeting is the caliber of expertise that the speakers bring with them,” said David W. Kimberlin, MD, IDC Symposium course director.

Edward J.
Septimus

The two keynote addresses will be given by Paul A. Offit, MD, and Carrie L. Byington, MD. Offit will discuss the use of alternative medicine, and Byington will outline how to approach the febrile neonate.

Meeting standards such as live versions of the popular print columns, What’s Your Diagnosis? by James H. Brien, DO, and Spot the Rash by Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, will return.

New sessions carried over from last year include “Ask Us Anything” and “Top 10 Pediatric ID Articles.”

“We have made an effort to integrate the material covered in these 2 days into a format that a physician or nurse practitioner can utilize once they go home,” Kimberlin said.

Lawrence F.
Eichenfield

Adolescent sexually transmitted infections will be covered by Cynthia M. Holland-Hall, MD, MPH, and a tattoos and piercing presentation by Joseph A. Bocchini, MD.

“This is a regular part of a pediatrician’s evaluation of a patient these days,” Kimberlin said. “Therefore, having information about tattoos and piercings and infectious complications will be really helpful.”

In the area of vaccines, influenza prevention will be covered by C. Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, an update on the AAP Red Book by Sarah S. Long, MD, and health care workers and infection control in the office setting by Edward J. Septimus, MD.

New to the meeting program this year will be a discussion on the business of vaccines, which will be given by Geoffrey R. Simon, MD.

“This is a talk we’ve never had before,” Kimberlin said. “The presentation will include a review of vaccines and their incredible public health benefit and how that interfaces with the maintenance of an office that is able to provide those benefits.”

In the area of virology, there will be a session on viral diagnostics by Gregory A. Storch, MD, and a session on antiviral therapeutics, given by Richard J. Whitley, MD. A review of issues related to pediatric hepatitis will be provided by Margaret Fisher, MD.

Margaret Fisher

Bacterial infections, including group A streptococcus, will be discussed by Stan L. Block, MD, and Fisher, and Creech will run down the differential for Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila and Ureaplasma. Alejandro Hoberman, MD, will also discuss urinary tract infections.

John C. Christenson, MD, is new to the IDC platform and will be speaking on infections in international travelers. The issue of emerging and resurging infections will be highlighted by Bocchini.

“These speakers are leaders in the field internationally. To have them all together in one place at one meeting that focuses on pediatric infectious diseases is incredible and something that I hope will benefit everyone who attends the meeting,” Kimberlin said.