Welcome address

Dear colleagues,

Although obstetrics and neonatology form the core of perinatal medicine, the perinatal picture is enriched by often inspiring contributions from a range of other medical specializations. Experts from the full spectrum of disciplines are therefore invited to our world meetings. Aiming at the state-of-the-art through scientific discussion, the meeting of specialists and their exchange of experience are the life-bloodallowing this young field to continue growing. Moving forward, the outcomes of our meetings need to result in new guidelines, pathways and strategies.

The congress theme is
Assume responsibility for our future,

around which a number of sub-themes will be grouped. Perinatal medicine has gone through an enormous development over the last 50 years. Some aspects are of current interest, for example maternal mortality worldwide, intrauterine programming, and prevention of materno-fetal infection with HIV. The prevention of fetal malformation is an important field worldwide. Beside the main topics of the World Congress of Perinatal Medicine, other compelling issues and events will enrich and I hope inspire those who attend, these keynote speeches, lectures and workshops will be held during

the 9th World Congress of Perinatal Medicine,

which will be held from

Saturday, October 24 to Wednesday, October 28, 2009
in the ESTREL Hotel and Convention Center, Berlin, Germany.

On behalf of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine, it gives me great honour to invite members of the international community worldwide and all healthcare partners to participate in this congress.

Inviting the perinatal community to Berlin is a special pleasure as the roots of perinatal medicine which grew here decades ago will be visible as a the beautiful flowering tree at the World Congress 2009.

Prof. Joachim W. Dudenhausen
Congress President