The 25th annual International Congress of Pediatrics (ICP) sponsored by the International Pediatric Association (IPA) was held in Athens, Greece August 25–30, 2007. The IPA is an organization of organizations and the APA is one of three United States pediatric associations (AAP and APS) with membership status. The meeting provided a wonderful opportunity for the APA delegation, Cindy Howard, Tom DeWitt, and me to pursue a strategic plan initiative of enhancing the APA’s role in international health collaboration. Over 6000 pediatricians from more than 100 countries and six continents were in attendance. Although there were many subspecialty sessions and the majority of the leadership in organizations is subspecialists, there were strong general pediatric elements within the meeting.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a symposium that addressed the spectrum of pediatric primary care in countries throughout the world and the varied roles that pediatricians play in providing primary care. Renee Jenkins, an APA member and president-elect of the AAP, was one of the featured speakers. Other topics addressed the treatment of otitis media, management of febrile seizures, circumcision, and the promotion of breastfeeding.

Several sessions were devoted to the new World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards for infants and young children (0–5 years of age). These standards are the first to be based on actual prospective data on children who are exclusively or predominantly breastfed. When compared to the WHO 0–5 growth standards, the CDC growth charts used in the United States tend to underestimate obesity while overestimating undernutrition. To date, the WHO growth charts are endorsed by 99 countries and are being reviewed by over 30 additional countries with the likelihood of adopting them. Because we are a global community and many APA members provide care for children who are international adoptions, immigrants or refugees, and because the CDC charts underestimate obesity and the obesity epidemic, APA members should advocate for federal agencies to adopt the WHO 0–5 growth standards.

The IPC represents an exciting venue for APA members to share their expertise in faculty development, educational guidelines, health care delivery, and research in global and international health with colleagues from other nations. Future IPC meetings will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa (2010) in and Melbourne, Australia (2013).

Sincerely,

Claibourne I. Dungy, M.D., M.P.H.
Past President
Ambulatory Pediatric Association

Updated 11/01/07