ICNA

On behalf of the South African Scientific Programme committee and the Paediatric Neurology and Development Association of Southern Africa, it is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 18th International Child Neurology Conference in 2024 “Footsteps to the Future” to be held in Cape Town, South Africa Child neurology is a rapidly evolving field with an emerging but severely under-resourced base of expertise across the African continent, a region which is projected to have 40% of the world’s children by 2050. The growing burden of neurological and developmental risk in our populations is an ongoing challenge for the practising clinicians in the region, but also an opportunity to find solutions with global impact. ICNA was first held on African soil, with the 11th International Conference in North Africa in Egypt in 2010. This was indeed a developmental milestone for child neurology and child development in Africa. We now invite you to return to Africa, this time to the south with a renewed focus on growing capacity in the paediatric neurological disciplines in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). South Africa has a remarkable history, with the advent of democracy nearly three decades ago remaining an inspiration to so many people around the world. Cape Town itself, is one of the world’s most gorgeous cities, nestled between mountain and sea in a truly spectacular location. Notable examples of medical achievements from our city were the Nobel Prize-winning work of Allan Cormack in developing the CT scanner, as well as the first human heart transplant by Christiaan Barnard in 1967. SSA has the lowest ratio of child neurology specialists compared to other WHO regions. In line with the ICNA mission and vision of promoting education, training units in South Africa have specifically upscaled this capacity through the African Paediatric Fellowship Program, which was initiated in Cape Town. March 2020 also saw the opening of the new UCT Neurosciences Institute, an integrated clinical and research institute which houses state-of-the-art training, laboratory and imaging facilities, as well as multi-disciplinary neuro-discipline clinic space with a clinical and scientific focus on promoting brain health and development in the region. We are excited to offer you a programme reflecting a vibrant combination of developments in the science and practice of child neurology from across the globe and insights into the unique challenges and understanding that can be gained from working in child neurology in the African ecosystem. "Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future." — Nelson Mandela We look forward to welcoming you all in 2024       Kirsty Donald Head of Division of Developmental Paediatrics, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa Deputy Director of University of Cape Town Neuroscience Institute Secretary (Chair-elect) of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Association of Southern Africa Member of the International Children Neurology Association Member of the African Child Neurology Association Gail Scher Chairperson of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Association of Southern Africa Divisional head Paediatric Neurology, University of the Witwatersrand Member of the International Children Neurology Association Secretary of the African Child Neurology Association Chairperson Epilepsy Society of South Africa Jo Wilmshurst Head of Division of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town Director of the African Paediatric Fellowship Program UCT Chair for the African Commission, International League Against Epilepsy Past-President of the International Children Neurology Association Member of the Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Association of Southern Africa. On behalf of the executive board of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Association of Southern Africa

Welcome Dear Friends On behalf of the International Child Neurology Association, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the 18 th International Child Neurology Congress to be held in Cape Town South Africa from May 6-10, 2024. Our congress has an exciting and apt theme - 'Footprints to the future '. As always, we aim to provide a state-of-the-art overview of Neurological Disorders in Children ranging from cutting edge advances to basic issues –such that they are relevant to regions across the world. In addition to high quality plenary lectures, there will be a tribute lecture to honour the lifetime achievements and contributions of Prof Michael Johnston. Several symposia on varied topics to suit different palates of participants from low, middle and high resource countries will be chosen meticulously by the scientific committee. The breakfast teaching sessions, theme workshops, tea symposia, platform presentations, special interest groups. and evening master classes are of course the strong education pillars of all ICNA congresses. Exciting debates and controversies in Pediatric Neurology to stir up the enthusiasm of participants will be a highlight of the meeting. For the young enthusiasts the meeting will provide a unique opportunity to interact with world leaders, develop collaborations, choose mentors for their projects and to widen their horizons in child neurology. For those interested in pursuing research, there will be sessions on research methodology. The Future Leaders of ICNA will be able to meet and share their experiences. A number of bursaries and junior awards will be given to facilitate deserving young members to participate. For some relaxing moments, Cape Town provides a magnificent landscape with the waterfront, as well as mountains including the famous Table Mountain! So, block your dates, pack your suitcases and make your travel arrangements for the stimulating ICNC 2024. We are sure that you will enjoy the meeting. Dr Pratibha SinghiPresident, ICNA

Topic: Neuroradiology

When: July 8, 2023, at 09:00 AM Eastern Time ( US / Canada )

Speakers: Dr. Kish Mankad, Dr. Ajay Taranath, Dr. Pradeep Krishnan, Dr. Nihaal Reddy, Dr. Ozgur Oztekin, Dr. Robert Goetti, and Dr. Prasad Hanagandi. 

Topic: Mitochondrial Diseases in Children - A case based discussion.

When: July 15, 2023, at 06:30 - 7:30 PM ( IST ).

Speakers: Dr. Gunce Basarir ( Turkey ) and Dr. Ozlem Ersoy ( Turkey ).

Expert: Dr. Haluk Topaluglu ( Turkey ).

Moderator: Dr. N. Varsha Monica Reddy ( India ).

Click Here to Join the session

Topic:Interface Between Autism and Epilepsy: When:on Saturday, June 10, 2023 0900hrs EST (USA/Canada): Speaker: Professor Sheffali Gulati, unravels the fascinating connection between autism and epilepsy in this ICNTN Lecture