Children’s of Alabama partnered with UAB’s Division of Pediatric Nephrology to host the inaugural International Neonatal Nephrology Symposium (INNS) Sept. 11-15 in Birmingham at the UAB Hilton.

INNS had 105 attendees from more than 10 different sub-specialties, 10 countries and 21 states.

The five-day conference included 11 scientific programs, 25 speakers, 44 poster presentations, two pre-course events, 12 exhibitors, 16 sponsors, two educational grant funders and three patient family talks in support of neonatal kidney care.

David Askenazi, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Namasivayam Ambalavanan, M.D., professor in the Division of Neonatology, were co-chairs for the symposium and helped to plan the event.

Stuart Goldstein, M.D., director at the Center for Acute Care Nephrology at Cincinnati Children’s, was the keynote speaker for the symposium.

“As the inaugural meeting dedicated to the care of neonates with kidney disease, the INNS was a huge success,” said Askenazi.

“This meeting will be remembered for a long time. The interactions and energy were amazing. We made a huge splash and the ripples will extend across the world for many years to come."