The Neonatal Update has its origins in a meeting established over 40 years ago by the late Professor David Harvey, former head of the Department of Paediatrics at Imperial College London, a distinguished paediatrician known for having championed training in neonatal medicine at a time when the speciality had no official recognition. Professor Neena Modi took over leadership of the meeting in 2001, adding the strapline “the science of newborn care”.

The Neonatal Update meeting is notable for including contributions from a very wide range of world-leading scientists and clinical researchers, many of whom have no direct involvement in newborn care. The aim is to introduce delegates to areas of science they might not necessarily meet in their day to day activities, widen horizons and foster new collaborations. The programme provides ample time for lecturers to explain their subject in depth and for discussion, comment and questions. Delegates attend from around the world and a growing proportion returning again and again.

Delegates have described the Neonatal Update meeting as “eclectic”, “intellectually stimulating”, “like no other” and “the best and most interesting of all the many neonatal conferences around today”.

This year, Dr Sabita Uthaya and Dr Vimal Vasu, who both worked closely with Prof Modi on the Neonatal Update for many years, are leading the academic programme and faculty in developing “the art and science of newborn care”. For further details and registration please click on Neonatal Update 2023 page.

Neonatal Update traditionally offers two “young investigator” awards providing an opportunity for neonatal scientists transitioning or newly transitioned to independent research careers to present their work and discuss their programmes with a senior, international audience. Further details can be found on the Young Investigator Award page.