Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute Presents Latest Findings at Scientific Conference in Jerusalem

Scientists from the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute shared their latest research at the 47th annual European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Congress, held June 10-12 in Jerusalem.

ESPGHAN is a premier pediatric nutrition congress that attracts more than 3,000 research and medical professionals from around the world. At this year’s event, the Institute sponsored a symposium entitled “How Early Nutrition Shapes Gastrointestinal Tolerance and Function.” The session was chaired by Colin Rudolph, MD, PhD, Mead Johnson’s chief medical officer and executive director of the Institute, and drew nearly 500 attendees.

The session featured presentations by:

• Ian Sanderson, MD, professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology and lead for the Centre for Digestive Diseases at Queen Mary University of London, who spoke on “Nutrient Regulation of Epithelial Gene Expression;”

• Olivier Goulet, MD, PhD, professor of Pediatrics at the University of Paris Descartes, France, who reviewed “The Impact of Early Nutrition on Maturation of Gastrointestinal and Immunological Function;” and

• Alessio Fasano, MD, world-renowned pediatric gastroenterologist, research scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of the Center for Celiac Research, who discussed “How Early Nutrition Can Shape Gut Microbiota and its Implications in Immune Tolerance and Maturation.”

“The Institute is thrilled to be part ESPGHAN, where we can discuss and share the latest findings in pediatric nutrition with thousands of the top medical and scientific leaders from around the world,” said Dr. Rudolph.

In addition to the symposium, the Institute added to the growing body of pediatric nutrition research with six abstracts, including one selected for oral presentation in the plenary session. The Institute also hosted a series of “Collaboration Cafés,” at which small groups of healthcare providers could speak informally and directly with scientists from the Institute. Topics included the latest research in DHA science, scientific perspectives on tolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy, and new guidelines in preterm nutrition.

As an expansion of its support for ESPGHAN, the Institute is providing an educational grant for ESPGHAN’s upcoming Gastroenterology Summer School, entitled “Reach the Top in Pediatric Gastroenterology.” The program will be held in September 2014 in Lisbon, Portugal.

For more information about the Mead Johnson Pediatric Nutrition Institute and our research and innovation work, please visit: http://www.meadjohnson.com/research-and-innovation.