European Spontaneous Preterm Birth Congress

On behalf of the local organizing committee, we welcome you to the 4th European Spontaneous Preterm Birth Congress (ESPBC) on September 20-22, 2023 in Haarlem, the Netherlands.

Organized by stichting Stop te vroeg bevallen & Amsterdam UMC
ESPBC 2023 will start in

Acreditation NVOG: 15 points

Accreditation by EACCME has been applied for.

Objectives ESPBC 2023

4th European Spontaneous Preterm Birth Congress

  1. To bring basic scientists and clinicians interested in preterm birth together at one conference to discuss the progress that has been made in the field of preterm birth and to develop our goals in the near future.
  2. To bring young investigators into contact with established investigators, in order to support collaboration between groups and maximize the full potential of our bright young investigators.
  3. To give a platform to investigators to present their newest data.
  4. To debate controversial themes within the field of preterm birth.
  5. To discuss potential new interventions.
  6. To discuss the development of an artificial womb for extremely preterm born neonates.

About This Event

We are honoured to host this successful bi-annual congress that is focussed on prevention and treatment of spontaneous preterm birth, the largest contributor to short term and long term morbidity and mortality for children.

Join us for three days of presentations on mechanism of disease, results of the latest RCT’s and current state of the art treatment presentations by international experts focussed on spontaneous preterm birth.

We are honoured to host this successful bi-annual congress that is focussed on prevention and treatment of spontaneous preterm birth, the largest contributor to short term and long term morbidity and mortality for children. The congress is traditionally held in Europe, however, previous editions of the congress were visited by approximately 350-400 leading investigators and clinicians from all over the world. The congress will be 3 days, covering the themes basic science on preterm birth, novel tests for early prediction of preterm birth, new clinical trials for prevention and treatment, and future directions of science and clinic.
Haarlem is a charming medieval Dutch city, close to our international airport of Schiphol and only 20 minutes by train to our capitol Amsterdam. This Dutch city offers visitors a lively cultural scene, loads of atmosphere, excellent shopping and dining – and is close to our wonderful Dutch beach.

Check Schedule

How to get to Haarlem

Reaching Haarlem from Schiphol Airport
If you are arriving in the Netherlands through Schiphol Airport, you can go to Haarlem with either train, bus or taxi. If you want to go by train, you need to change trains at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station. The train station is in the arrival terminal. A more convenient route is with Bus 300 (“Zuidtangent”) which runs every 10-15 minutes between Schiphol and Haarlem Central Station. Buses are signposted when you exit Schiphol Airport, and the Zuidtangent is a big red bus with number 300 on the front. Taxis are also found in front of Schiphol Plaza.

Reaching Haarlem to/from Amsterdam Central
Trains run direct from Amsterdam and Haarlem Central Station, usually everey 15 minutes.

For latest train timetables and fares, check out www.ns.nl

For latest public transportation timetables and fares, check out www.9292.nl

The congress venue
The Philharmonie is located in the middle of the beautiful centre of Haarlem. It is a 14 minute walk from the Haarlem Central Station. The nearest bus stations are Haarlem Centrum/Verwulft (7 min walk) or Haarlem, Naussaulaan (7 min walk). For more information on how to get there, please consult google maps for walking/public transportation routes to the Philharmonie Haarlem.

LOCATION

Philharmonie Haarlem
Lange Begijnestraat 11
2011 HH Haarlem

ORGANISATION

Stichting Stop te vroeg bevallen
Amsterdam UMC

Board:
Prof. Dr. M.A. Oudijk
Professor of Obstetrics, Amsterdam UMC
Chairman of the Fetal-Maternal Medicine board of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Prof. dr. Dr. E. Pajkrt
Professor of Obstetrics, Head of the Department of Obstetrics, Amsterdam UMC

IBAN: NL57 INGB 0007 7536 59
BIC: INGBNL2A
Chamber of Commerce: 68683278
RSIN: 857548049
Postal address: Groot Bentveld 1, 2116 TE Bentveld

Speakers

DATE & TIME

September 20th - 22th, 2023
8.30H - 17.30H

CONTACT

ESPBC Office
P +31205663654

Visit Amsterdam

If you arrive several days early, or stay the weekend after the ESPBC meeting, you can visit our capital Amsterdam with its world renowned van Gogh museum, Rijks museum and Anne Frank house, catch a canal cruise in the city center or visit the authentic wind mills at the Zaanse schans.

Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands! These days the city has a population of just over 790.000 inhabitants and is the largest city in the country. Amsterdam is located in the province ‘Noord-Holland’, situated in the west. It is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, receiving more than 4.5 million tourists annually. It is very unique for its large and untouched historic center. It has a rich architectural history, dominated by water. It is a meeting point for all different cultures around the world and has a welcoming attitude towards visitors. Well known for its museums, red light district, coffee shops but also the great variety of eating & drinking places and night life.

Visit Amsterdam

Philhamonie Haarlem

Enjoy high quality theater, music & more in Stadsschouwburg & Philharmonie Haarlem.

From classical quartets to rock bands and ballet, Stadsschouwburg & Philharmonie Haarlem presents a riveting pallet of non Dutch spoken cultural events. Our theatre and concert hall, located in the historical city centre of Haarlem, both offer a high-quality programme of theatre, dance and music.

Visit Philharmonie website

ORGANISERS

The ESPBC meeting of 2023 will be organised by the Dutch Preterm Birth research group, led by Eva Pajkrt and Martijn Oudijk, both employed by the Amsterdam University Medical Center. This research group, is internationally renowned for performing a large number of clinical trials on prevention and treatment of preterm birth, within the Dutch NVOG consortium.

Prof. dr. Martijn OudijkProf. dr. Martijn Oudijk
Prof. dr. Martijn Oudijk
Prof. dr. Martijn OudijkCongress President
Professior of Obstetrics, Amsterdam UMC
Chairman of the Fetal-Maternal Medicine board of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Prof. dr. Eva PajkrtProf. dr. Eva Pajkrt
Prof. dr. Eva Pajkrt
Prof. dr. Eva PajkrtCongress President
Head of the Department of Obstetrics, Amsterdam UMC

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

ben-willem-mol

Ben Willem Mol
MD PhD FRANZCOG
Monash University
Melbourne, Australia

Gyamfi Photo (1)

Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman
MD, MSc, FACOG
Columbia University
Medical Center

bo-jacobson

Bo Jacobsson
Professor, Head of Perinatal Research Laboratory at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg

PB Bennett Photo

Phill Bennett 

Professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist

Institute of Reproductive & Developmental Biology (IRDB), Imperial College London

David MacIntyre

David MacIntyre
Professor of Reproductive Systems Medicine,
March of Dimes European Prematurity Research Centre, Imperial College London

Ramkumar Menon

Ramkumar Menon
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Perinatal Research Division, University of Texas Medical Branch, USA

 

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Hanns Helmer
Professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, Clinical Department of Obstetrics and Feto-Maternal Medicine
Medical University of Vienna

Marian Kacerovsky

Marian Kacerovsky
Head of the Perinatal Center, Hradec Králové, czech republic

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Amanda Roman
Associate professor, Thomas Jefferson University, USA

 

Janneke van ’t Hooft

Janneke van ’t Hooft
Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS)
Stanford University School of Medicine, USA

 

Sarah Stock

Sarah Stock
Professor in Maternal and Fetal Health
Edinburgh, UK

Isabelle Dehaene

Isabelle Dehaene
Consultant Obstetrician
Ghent University Hospital, Belgium

Andrew Shennan

Andrew Shennan
Professor of Obstetrics
Kings College London

Maria Goya

Maria Goya
Senior consultant in Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Preterm Birth
Obstetric and Gynecology Department
Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona.

Elena Carreras i Moratonas

Elena Carreras i Moratonas
Head of Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Medicine and Gynecologic Endocrinology
Vall d’Hebron. Barcelona.

 

Hoffman Matthew Head shot

Matthew Hoffman
Vice Chairman at Christiana Care Health System, Delaware, USA

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Vasso Terzidou
(affiliate) Consultant obstetrician at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College Parturition Research Group

Ina Schuppe Koistinen

Ina Schuppe Koistinen
Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

David-Aronoff_1

David Aronoff
Chair, Department of Medicine Indiana University, USA

 

Sabrina Badir

Sabrina Badir
Clinical researcher Pregnolia

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Tracy Manuck
Professor, University of North Carolina Dept. of Ob/Gyn, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine

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Catherine Williamson
Professor of Women’s Health at Imperial College London and Honorary Consultant in Obstetric Medicine at Queen Charlotte’s, St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospitals.

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Haarlem

Get fascinated

Haarlem: a cozy historic center, famous museums, stores, restaurants and the beach around the corner. Welcome to the city that has everything. On the one hand, the hidden streets of bygone days and trendy concept stores. On the other hand, the medieval church and waterfront cafes. From Dutch masters to French star chefs. From antique market to pop concert.

So, fancy an unforgettable day out? Visit Haarlem and thus be surprised by the sights, boutiques and picturesque squares, by the old and contemporary artists,
the burgundian atmosphere and the rich history.
In Haarlem you have everything together.

Visit Haarlem

FAQ

Here is a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the conference.

  • When will conference program be announced: March 2023.
  • Registration: When will registration be opened: March 2023.
  • Is there a discount: there will be a special registration price for PhD students.
  • What do registration fees cover: attendance for the scientific program, coffee and tea breaks, drinks and lunches, and the social program conference dinner on Thursday 21 September 2023.

If you still have unanswered questions after reading this page, please contact us.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Have a look at the event schedule

9 am - 5 pmMechanism of disease and PREBIC session
9:00 - 9:15Opening ESPBC – Eva Pajkrt and Martijn Oudijk
9:15 - 9:40Metanalysis of microbiome and preterm birth – Phil Bennett
9:40 - 10:05Beyond composition; mechanistic insights into how vaginal microbiota shape preterm birth risk – David MacIntyre
10.05 - 10.30Regulation of host microbial interactions at the maternal fetal interface – David Aronoff
10.30 - 11.00Coffee
The cervix – Eva Pajkrt and Bouchra Koullali
11.00-11.20Multi-modality imaging of cervix to predict PTB – Helen Feltovitch
Cervical stiffness measurement to predict PTB – Sabrina Badir
11.40-12.00Development of Rapid miRNA based predictive tests for cervical shortening and preterm labor – A. Vasso Terzidou
12.00-12.20Cervical length measurement – Lil Valentin
12.30 - 14.00Lunch – Poster session I
PREBIC organizes this session
14.00 - 14.05Introduction
14. 05 - 14.30Unanswered questions about antenatal corticosteroids – Cynthia Gyamfi Bannerman
14.30 - 14.55Liquid biopsy and spontaneous preterm delivery – Marian Kacerovsky
14.55 - 15.20The FIGO Prem Prep 6 bundle – Megan Hall
15.20 - 15.45Challenges of preterm birth at the border of viability – Hanns Helmer
15.45 - 16.15Tea
First abstract session, oral presentations
16.00 - 16.15Abstracts
16.15 - 16.30Abstracts
16.30 -16.45Abstracts
16.45 - 17.00Abstracts
17.00-17.30Keynote lecture Born too Soon – the decade version WHO, UNICEF, PMNCH by Bo Jacobsson
17.30-18.30Welcome reception – Hosted by Martijn Oudijk and Eva pajkrt
I-SPY dinner
9 am - 5 pmClinical research and current state-of-the-art
9.00 - 9.45Singletons with a short cervix
9.00 - 9.15IPD short cervix in singletons and twins – BW Mol
9.15 - 9.30Short cervix pessary vs standard/progesterone – Matthew Hoffman
9.30 - 9.45QP RCT singletons: progesterone vs pessary – Lotte van Dijk
9:45 - 10:30Twin pregnancies
9.45 - 10.00Progesterone in women with a twin pregnancy
10.00 - 10.15Cerclage in women with a twin pregnancy with a short cervix – Amanda Roman
10.15 - 10.30Pro-contra debate progesterone/cerclage in twins –
10.30 - 11.00Coffee
11:00 - 12:00Cerclages
11.00 - 11.15Update on Vaginal cerclages including C-stitch trial
11.15 - 11.30Complications of vaginal cerclages – Sofie Breuking
11.30 - 11.45Abdominal cerclages: which patients benefit? – Andrew Shennan
11.45 - 12.00Laparoscopic abdominal cerclages – Judith Huirne/Nicole Burger
12.00 - 12:30PTB
12.00 - 12.15Preterm birth in women with ICP – Catherine Williamson
12.15 - 12.30Environmental exposures and preterm birth – Tracy Manuck
12.30 - 14.00Lunch – Poster sessions II
14:00 - 14:45Second abstract session, oral presentations
14.00 - 14.45Abstracts
14.45 - 15.15Aspirine for all? Debate – Matthew Hoffman and Marjon de Boer
15.15 - 15.45Tea
15:45 - 17:00I-SPY session
15:45-15:55I-SPY: International Spnataneous Preterm birth Young Investigators: past, pressent and future – Co-Chair I-Spy, Isabelle Dehaene
16.10 - 16.25Differences screening and treatment strategies used in Europe for infections associated with spontaneous preterm birth – I-SPY Infection screening working group, Dominique Werter
16.25 - 16.45Risk factors for preterm birth, an Umbrella Review – I-SPY Risk factors working group, Job Klumper
Dutch dinner at the beach for all attendees
9 am - 1 pmPreterm birth: the future
9:00 - 9:05Opening
Artificial womb – Martijn Oudijk and Guid Oei
9:05-9.45Keynote lecture: The artificial Womb
9:45-10:05The artificial placenta
10:05-10:30Dutch plans for the development of an artificial womb – Guid Oei
10:30 - 11:00Coffee break
New developments – Jan Derks and Malou Lugthart
11:00 - 11:30What can we learn from the COVID pandemic with regards to reduction of PTB?
11:30 - 12:00The cervix and preterm birth: Bioengineering approaches to function and treatment –
12:00 - 12:30Artificial intelligence to predict PTB – Anne Fischer
12:30 - 13:00Closing ESPBC 2023 and Short presentation ESPBC 2023 – Eva Pajkrt / Martijn Oudijk / Future presidents

Scientific Committee

Name Country
‣ Martijn Oudijk Amsterdam UMC
‣ Eva Pajkrt Amsterdam UMC
‣ Ben Willem Mol Australia
‣ Bo Jacobsson Sweden, FIGO
‣ Ronnie Lamont UK
‣ Jan Stener Jørgensen Denmark
‣ Vincenzo Berghella USA
Begoña Martinez de Tejada Switzerland
‣ Elena Carreras Spain
‣ Phil Bennett UK
‣ Guid Oei MMC Eindhoven
‣ Andrew Shennan UK
‣ Ram Menon USA

Local Organizing Commitee

Amsterdam UMC: Noor Simons, Frederik Hermans, Maud van Zijl, Lotte van Dijk, Bouchra Koullali, Anna Landman, Job Klumper, Sofie Breuking, Larissa van der Windt, Lissa van Gils, Annabelle van Gils, Emilie van Limburg Stirum.

Special Interest Group Preterm Birth, Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Carolien Dijkstra, Janneke ’t Hooft, Brenda Kazemier, Jan Derks, Stijn van Teefelen, Tobias Nijman, Frederik Hermans, Jelmer Prins, Margo Lutke Holzik, Sam Schoenmakers, Joris van Drongelen.

Advisory Committee

Name Country
‣ Andrew Shennan UK
‣ Hanns Helmer Austria
‣ Birgit Arabin Germany
‣ Bill Grobman USA
‣ Vedran Stefanovic Finland
‣ Marian Kacerovsky Czech Republic
‣ Fabio Facchinetti Italy
‣ Diogo Aryes-de-Campos Portugal
‣ Irene Hösli Switzerland
‣ Yves Jacquemyn Belgium
‣ Nils Halvdan Morken Norway
‣ Maria M. Goya Canimo Spain
‣ Wes Onland Netherlands
‣ Ronnie Lamont UK
‣ Jan Stener Jørgensen Denmark
‣ Wilfried Geyselaers Belgium
‣ Christophe Vayssière France
‣ Salim Read Israel
‣ Hildur Harðardóttir Iceland

ESPBC 2023 – Call for abstracts

ESPBC 2023 – Call for abstracts
Submission for Poster abstracts will be opened 1 April until 15 June 2023

You are welcome to submit abstracts from different areas
within spontaneous preterm birth research e.g. epidemiology, mechanisms or clinical aspects.

Accepted abstracts will be presented as posters or short oral presentations.
All abstracts will be published in an abstract book, available for the attendees of the congress. Accepted abstracts will also be published on-line at www.espbc.nl shortly after the congress.

Abstract submission
Abstracts should be written in English, Times New Roman or Calibri, font size 12 with a maximum of 250 words.
Please submit your abstract by filling in the form including the following sections: background, material/methods, results and conclusion.
You can indicate your preferred form of presentation (oral or poster), but the scientific ESPBC committee will make the final decision.

Teylers

Museum of Wonder

Follow in the footsteps of Napoleon, Einstein, and so many others who have feasted their eyes on everything that can be seen in Teylers Museum in Haarlem. Teylers opened its doors in 1784 and is now known as the oldest museum in the Netherlands, with a collection that is unique in the world. Ever since it was founded, this has been the place to surprise yourself and to wonder at ancient fossils, magnificent stones, ingenious devices, precious books, fascinating coins and medallions, marvellous drawings and romantic paintings.

Almost everything you see was once part of a laboratory collection of functional objects. They were not placed in the museum just to be admired, but mainly to encourage new discoveries. Teylers was a place of endless wonder. And it still is.
And don’t forget to look at the rooms themselves and the way they are furnished. The building itself is a museum piece – a time machine. Teylers is still, as far as possible, a daylight museum, which means that it becomes quite a different place in bright sunshine compared to overcast days.

Visit Teylers Museum website

SOCIAL PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Have a look at the social program schedule.

6 pm - 10 pmSpeaker’s dinner
7 pm - 10 pmYoung investigators dinner organized by I-SPY
7 pm - 11 pmDutch conference dinner Zandvoort beach
15.55 - 16.10Different diagnostic and therapeutic strategies used in Europe for cervical length screening and preterm birth prevention – I-SPY Cervical length working group, Emilie van Limburg-Stirum
16.25 - 16.45Risk factors for preterm birth, an Umbrella Review – I-SPY Risk factors working group, Job Klumper
16.45 - 17.00Can we increase the usefulness of future RCT’s? – Co-Chair I-Spy, Janneke van ’t Hooft and Lotte van Dijk

HOTELS

Haarlem has many nice hotels, most of them relatively small. We advise you to book in advance. Please check with the hotel if the price includes breakfast and city tax. Here are some suggestions of hotels close to the venue. In addition to these hotels, many other smaller options are also available in the vicinity of the congress venue.

Great speakers with great topics.Join us!
  • Early bird registration: € 650.- euro (before 1 July 2023) regular attendees, including lunches and dinner at the beach on Thursday 21 September
  • Regostration after 1 July 2023 or onsite € 700.-
  • € 500.- euro PhD candidates (signed letter by head of department confirming PhD trajectory required), including lunches and dinner at the beach on Thursday 21 September
  • If you would like to bring your (non-attending) partner to the Dinner party at Zandvoort Beach,
    please note that a charge of € 75.-  will apply.
  • On site registration € 700.- regular fee and  € 550.- for PhD students.
BOOK NOW!
Tickets 650
  • Presentations by leading investigators
  • Free food and drinks during congress
  • Social program, including Dinner party at Zandvoort Beach
Ticket prices are €650.-

and for

PhD students €500.-

Purchase Ticket

SPONSORS

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Register Now and Guarantee Your Seat!

Registration for the congress is open!

ESPBC Office - Amsterdam - The Netherlands

E espbc@amc.uva.nl

P +31205663654

Give us a call or drop by anytime, we endeavour to answer
all enquiries
within 24 hours on business days.

Quick links

ESPBC is organized by Stichting Stop te vroeg bevallen | www.stoptevroegbevallen.nl and