ABSTRACT
Thirty-six founding members from Europe were present in 1968, when the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology (ESGA) had its first meeting in Paris. The aim was to create a forum for presentations and discussions of research activities in paediatric gastroenterology in Europe. At the second meeting of ESGA 1969 in Interlaken, an important landmark was set for all gastroenterologists in the world. In this conference, the first ever criteria for "the Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease" (CD) were established. In 1990, the revised criteria for the diagnosis of CD were published. After the introduction of new noninvasive techniques, like tissue transglutaminase 2-antibodies and the HLADQ2/HLADQ8 determinations in blood, "new" criteria for the diagnosis of CD were published in 2012 by the European society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). Close collaboration of ESPGHAN and the North American Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition led to mutual meetings. The first combined meeting was 1978 in Paris, followed by meetings in New York, Amsterdam, Houston, and last in Toulouse. The first World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology took place in Boston 2000 followed by congresses in Paris, Iguazu, Taipeh, and Toronto. The creation of specialised committees (Nutrition Committees, GI-Committee, and Hepatology-Committee) enabled the society to elaborate numerous guidelines for standards in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases within the subspecialties. The Journal of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, as organ of ESPGHAN and the North American Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition since 1991, serves as the voice for these worldwide accepted guidelines. Growing educational activities with summer schools, the Young Investigator Forum and the creation of working groups have distributed our current knowledge among the younger generation and led to fruitful reports, guidelines, and syllabus. In 1992, ESPGHAN was 1 of the founding 7 members of the United European Gastroenterology Federation (UEGF), which developed into a successful organisation for gastroenterology in Europe. This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ESPGHAN at our annual Meeting in Geneva.
Subject(s)
Child Nutrition Sciences/history , Gastroenterology/history , Pediatrics/history , Societies, Medical/history , Anniversaries and Special Events , Child , Child Nutrition Sciences/organization & administration , Europe , Gastroenterology/organization & administration , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Pediatrics/organization & administration , Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2 , Societies, Medical/organization & administrationABSTRACT
Since the conception of an idea of a few paediatric gastroenterologists in Europe to create a society for Paediatric Gastroenterology in 1967, and its foundation in 1968, half a century has passed. The European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) now celebrates its 50th anniversary and its utmost success in combining clinical and scientific expertise in the fields of paediatric gastroenterology, haepatology, and nutrition. To describe this success story 14 of the still living presidents of ESPGHAN recount their impressions of the steady growth of ESPGHAN with all the historical facets from their own points of view. This historical view of ESPGHAN over the last 5 decades provides personal accounts of the development of all activities and creations of this great European Society. The Society started as a small family of experts in the field into a global working open society involved in a large variety of activities within the subspecialties, becoming a leading organisation in Europe and beyond. This unique view gives also a wonderful insight into the famous clinicians and researchers from all over Europe who have helped in the growth and development of ESPGHAN. By describing all these activities and collaborations it becomes clear that this astonishing pan-European enterprise was achieved by people who put considerable effort and time into the development of this society. Their statements serve as a historical source and reference for future evaluation of the first 50 years of ESPGHAN. In depicting different time episodes, and by assembling all the historical pieces of a puzzle together, the statements help to illustrate how a highly structured society such as ESPGHAN has evolved over the last 50 years, for what it stands for today and what is to be expected in the future.
