Neonatal Stroke Conference
11 & 12 September 2025
A 2-day multidisciplinary update on neonatal stroke
We are excited to invite you to an inspiring conference on neonatal stroke, where leading experts come together to explore the latest advancements in the field. This cutting-edge program covers diagnosis, prognostication, outcome, and novel innovative treatment strategies offering valuable insights into optimizing care for affected infants.
This event takes a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together specialists in neonatology, pediatric neurology, radiology, pediatric rehabilitation, developmental medicine, psychology, physiotherapy, and preclinical scientists. Organized in partnership with patient organizations, this symposium bridges (pre)clinical research, clinical practice and patient advocacy to enhance outcomes for children and families. It is organized on behalf of the 030lab, which is a core-facility in the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital consisting of an Innovative trial office, prevention desk and Child Health Disease Cohorts. Neonatal stroke is one of the cohorts.
Program uitklapper, klik om te openen
Location: Utrecht Library, Neude 11, Utrecht.
Thursday, September 11
08.30 - 09.00: Registration & Coffee
09.00 - 09.05: Welcome – Introduction Prof. Manon Benders & Prof. Cora Nijboer
Session 1: Understanding Neonatal Stroke & The Need for Research
- 09.05 - 09.25: Perinatal Stroke: History, the Spectrum & why Research Matters – Prof. Linda de Vries
- 09.25 - 09.45 : Cerebral Sino-venous thrombosis: Presentation, Treatment & Outcomes – Dr. Nathalie Claessens
- 09.45 - 10.05: Preterm Stroke – Dr. Sylke Steggerda
- 10.05 - 10.35: Keynote: Why Early Diagnosis & Intervention is Critical? – Prof. Andrea Guzzetta
10.35 - 11.15: Coffee & Tea break
Session 2: Early Diagnosis & Prognosis
- 11.15 - 11.35: Neonatal EEG in Neonatal Stroke – Dr. Nienke Wagenaar
- 11.35 - 11.55: Early Neuro-Imaging – Dr. Niek van der Aa
- 11.55 - 12.15 : Cry analysis in relation to adverse outcome – Ana Laguna Pradas
- 12.15 - 12.40 : Early diagnosis of CP – Parental perspectives on early diagnosis and intervention – Lianne Verhage/Jet van der Kemp
- 12.40 - 13.10: Quantitative assessment and longitudinal tracking of gross motor development using at-home measurements with MAIJU wearable – Prof. Sampsa Vanhatalo
13.10 - 14.20: Lunch & Poster presentations
Session 3: Regenerative Therapies & Stem Cells
- 14.20 - 14.50: Stem Cell Therapy in Preterm Brain Injury – Prof. Pierre Gressens
- 14.50 - 15.20 : MSC Therapy in Neonatal Asphyxia – Prof. Nikki Robertson
-
15.20 - 15.50
: 2 short oral presentations:
- Using a hydrogel to treat neonatal stroke in a rat model – Dr. Bobbi Fleiss
- Preclinical Perspectives on MSC Therapy – Dr. Reint Jellema
15.50 - 16.20: Coffee & Tea Break
Continuation Session 3: Regenerative Therapies & Stem Cells
- 16.20 - 16.50: Perinatal Stroke Treatments from bench to bedside – Prof. Manon Benders & Prof. Cora Nijboer
- 16.50 - 17.35: Oral presentations – 3 abstracts
Friday, September 12
08.30 - 09.00: Walk-in & Coffee
Session 4: Computerized & Technology-Driven Diagnosis & Interventions
- 09.00 - 09.20: General movements and Neonatal Stroke – Prof. Arie Bos
- 09.20 - 09.40: Brain-Computer Interfaces for Rehabilitation – Dr. Anouck Schippers
- 09.40 - 10.10: Keynote: Digital Therapeutics & Neuroplasticity in Pediatric Stroke – Prof. Adam Kirton
10.10 - 10.40: Coffee & Tea Break
Session 5: Long-Term Outcomes & Broader Perspectives
- 10.40 - 11.00 Long-Term Outcomes of Neonatal Stroke – Lisanne Baak
- 11.00 - 11.30: How Does Pediatric Stroke Differ from Neonatal Stroke? – Nomazulu Dlamini
- 11.30 - 11.50: Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery & Stroke – Prof. Kees Braun
- 11.50 - 12.10: Life Course After Perinatal Brain Injury – Prof. Jan Willem Gorter + Patient
- 12.10 - 12.50 Keynote: Broader Perspectives on Stem Cells & Neurorehabilitation in Older Children – Prof. Iona Novak
12.50 - 13.00: Closing Remarks – Prof. Manon Benders
Abstract submission uitklapper, klik om te openen
There is also an opportunity to present a poster or give a short oral presentation. The deadline for your abstract submission is July 1st. You will be informed by July 15th whether your abstract has been selected. Abstracts are limited to 250 words. Please send your abstract to neonatology@umcutrecht.nl. And provide us with:
- The presenting author’s contact details (Name, Email address, Affiliation)
- Authors and co-authors’ details
- Preference for a poster or oral presentation
- Abstracts should include: background and aims, methods, results, conclusions
Registration & costs uitklapper, klik om te openen
Senior registration fee € 150,-:
- medical staff
- physical therapists
- occupational therapists
- all other non-trainees
Junior registration fee € 75,-:
- students
- residents
- PhD students
- trainees
Contact uitklapper, klik om te openen
Contact us at neonatology@umcutrecht.nl.