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	SEPTEMBER 2000
	SOCIETY FOR PEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH

We celebrated the first decade of our existence as a society only recently. Much has been accomplished that makes us proud. The presentations at the meeting in Seattle show the breadth and diversity of our intellectual accomplishments. As in previous years, several excellent papers were presented by young investigators, indicating our continued commitment to nurturing future researchers. We published the abstracts for the student paper prize- winners for the first time. Although one paper ‘won,’ two others were acknowledged as meritorious. It is indeed gratifying to have such high level of competition from the students. Three papers were from over-seas students, two from Europe and one from Australia. Africa, South and Central America were not represented. The absence of papers from these areas of the world is perhaps a reflection of the level of research activities in these areas. It may also represent a limited circulation of information to our colleagues in universities in these areas. The Society has publicized this and the International Travel Award in several journals with "world wide circulation," but it is not clear how widely circulating these journals are in these countries. Encouraging worldwide participation in the Society's activities is definitely a daunting task.	Progress has been made. The renewal of the award from NICHD of $5,000 is very helpful. More collaborative research should be encouraged. The "winning" student paper was on a South American population. The work was done by collaboration between U.S. and South American researchers. Another good news item is that the International Travel Award was presented to a researcher from China. This is not to belittle the immense value of research done in developed countries to the rest of the world's children and mothers. The value of perinatal administration of folic acid, first demonstrated from work done in the UK and USA, has been impressively demonstrated in China. Vaccine studies for diseases such as polio virus, measles, rubella and most recently streptococcus pneumoniae are invaluable. Prevention of childhood accidents, infant and maternal morbidity and mortality are other areas where original research by society members and other investigators in developed countries have had a beneficial impact on the rest of the world population.	In this new century, our most challenging task will be finding ways to transfer existing and new knowledge to areas where such knowledge will do good. That is, everywhere in the world. Our task will include assisting local researchers and health workers to adapt such knowledge to promote better health, always mindful of local conditions, politics and sensibilities. It is a utopian vision. Finally, I add to the voices of past presidents. Every member of the Society should find ways to participate in running the society's affairs: Executive Committees, abstract review, business meeting, reviews of papers for "our" journal. The Society will be richer for a broad participation by its members. I am looking forward to our meeting in Toronto--one of the most beautiful cities in North America. The weather is generally very good in June. I am sure that our Canadian hosts will outdo themselves to please. I cannot assure you of what our major airlines will do. It could not possibly be worse than the travel to Seattle. Do come ye all and come early! -Edem Ekwo La Rabida Children's Hospital and Research Center, Chicago
Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, September 2000 Page 2
Report on the Seattle Meeting	Report from the 2000 Business Meeting	Contact Information
We had record attendance at the Seattle meeting, with 172 registrants, and a record number of presentations, 104. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make the meeting a success – the SPER officers, especially Paul Meis, Past President, who put together the program; Mike Kramer, who organized the evening poster symposium; the abstract reviewers; and all of our presenters. Abstracts from our Thirteenth Annual Meeting in Seattle will be published in the October issue of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.	We held our annual business meeting right after the close of the scientific meeting in Seattle. Complete minutes are available at our web-site. Here are some highlights: Financially, we’re doing great, thanks in part to our meeting support grants from NICHD and MOD. We decided to expand the meeting time next year, on a trial basis. We'll be starting at 2:00 p.m. on the first day instead of at 6:00 p.m. We are hoping to change to web-based abstract submission and processing for next year’s meeting; plans are in the works!	Please note that the contact information for the Secretary has changed! For general information about SPER, contact: Suzan Carmichael, PhD, Secretary E-mail: sca@cdbmp.org Phone: (510) 434-5342 Fax: (510) 532-1004 Address: 1830 Embarcadero, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94606-5226 For membership information including subscriptions to Pædiatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, contact: Cande Ananth, PhD, MPH, Treasurer E-mail: ananthcv@epi.umdnj.edu Phone: (732) 235-7940 Fax: (732) 235-6627 Address: Department of OB/GYN, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 125 Paterson St. New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Edem Ekwo, President Paul Meis, Past President Germaine Buck, President-Elect Cande Ananth, Treasurer Suzan Carmichael, Secretary Members-at-Large Mary Hediger Russ Kirby Ken Schoendorf Pat Shiono Linda Van Marter Liaison with AAP's Epidemiology Section David Savitz Liaison with SER

		The AAP Epidemiology section no longer requires its members to have an M.D. degree, and is recruiting new members. Click here for more details.
		SPER Annual Business Meeting Minutes

	2001 Meeting
		Our 2001 meeting will be June 12-13, at the Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, Canada. As usual, next year’s SER meeting will take place right after our meeting, June 13-16. Information about the meeting is available at www.conferences.utah.edu/ser/.