Amsterdam 2026
Key Conference Topics
- Fetal surgery & post-natal care
Discover the latest insights: Open vs Scopic surgery- What do the latest data say about the outcomes?
Keynote speakers: Prof. Dr Jan Deprest (Leuven) / Prof. Andrea Rossi (Italy)
- Tethered cord syndrome
Unlocking the mystery of Tethered Cord Syndrome: Latest updates, dilemmas in untethering, and Spine shortening vs untethering. - Seamless transition
Bridging pediatric and adult care, enhancing collaboration, sharing insights in panel discussions and elevating the patient perspective. - Urology in spina bifida
Cultural Approaches, Self-Catheterization Adherence, and Bowel management- Antegrade vs Retrograde irrigation.
Welburn lecture Prof. Dr Ahmad Elderwy (Egypt)
- Rehabilitation and orthopedics
Use of gait analysis in spina bifida, scoliosis, sports with physical disabilities, evaluation of quality of life in spina bifida. - Hydrocephalus
Scientific update in hydrocephalus, VP shunt vs. third ventriculostomy: Evaluating different approaches.
Provisional Programme
Wednesday, 16 September
08:00–09:00 Registration
09:00–09:05 Welcome Address by Prof. dr. W. de Vries; Head of Pediatric Department
09:05–09:15 Opening of the Congress; Dr. Ian Pople, Dr. D.P. Bakker, Carola McDonald
Session 1: Imaging in spinal dysraphism
Cutting-edge insights into imaging of spinal dysraphism’s and fetal brain MRI changes, advancing precision diagnostics in spina bifida.
09:15–10:30 Keynote Speakers:
09:15–10:00 Keynote Speaker 1
Prof. A. Rossi, Professor of Neuroradiology
Title: Imaging of spinal dysraphism (Italy, Genoa)
10:00–10:30 Keynote Speaker 2
Presenter to be announced
Title: Fetal MRI brain changes
10:30–10:40 Abstracts Presentations (1)
10:40–11:00 ☕ Break
Session 2: Embryology of spina bifida and hydrocephalus
Unlocking the origins of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, this session explores embryological development, revealing new insights into early disease formation.
11:00–11:30 Keynote Speakers:
11:00–11:30 Keynote Speaker 3
Dr. B. de Bakker (Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC)
Title: Micro-CT nervous system
11:30–12:10 Abstracts Presentations (4)
12:10–13:00 🍽 Lunch
Session 3: Fetal surgery in spina bifida
Exploring how prenatal intervention is transforming outcomes and redefining the future of neonatal care.
13:00–15:45 Keynote Speakers:
13:00–13:45 Keynote Speaker 4
Prof. Dr. J. Deprest (Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leuven/London)
Talk title: Prenatal repair of spina bifida
13:45–14:25 Keynote Speaker 5
Dr. Chagajeg Soloukey (Researcher, Erasmus UMC, Rotterdam)
Talk title: Patient proximity
14:25–15:05 Keynote Speaker 6
Dr. K. Jansen (Paediatric Neurologist, Leuven, Belgium)
Talk title: Long-term outcomes in fetal surgery
15:05–15:45 Keynote Speaker 7
Dr. L. Mazzone (Paediatric Surgeon, Zurich)
Talk title: Outcomes of 5-year-old patients after open prenatal spina bifida repair in Zurich
15:45–16:00 ☕ Break
16:00–16:20 Abstract Presentations (2)
Session 4: Seamless Transition
Bridging pediatric and adult care, enhancing collaboration, sharing insights through panel discussions, and elevating the patient’s perspective.
16:20–17:50 Keynote Speakers:
16:20–16:50 Keynote Speaker 8
Dr. A.L. van Staa Lector (University, Rotterdam)
Talk title: In transition — Transition
16:50–17:10 Keynote Speaker 9
Bakal & I. Bakal with Carola McDonald (Nurse Practitioner, Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Patient experience (interview)
17:10-17:50 Discussion Panel with Kate Steel (SHINE, UK), Dr. O. de Wit (Rehabilitation Physician)
Discussion: Bridging the gap
17:50–18:10 Abstract Presentations (2)
18:10-18:15 Short break before AGM
18:15–18:45 SRHSB Annual General Meeting (SRHSB Members Only)
Thursday, 17 September
Session 5: Tethered Cord Syndrome
Unlocking the mysteries of tethered cord syndrome: latest updates, dilemmas in untethering, and spine shortening vs. untethering.
09:00–10:30 Keynote Speakers
9:00-9:30 Keynote Speaker 10
Dr. D.P. Bakker (Paediatric Neurologist, Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Posterior fossa & tethered cord
9:30-10:00 Keynote Speaker 10
Feller (Neurosurgeon, Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Untethering vs spine shortening
10:00-10:30 Keynote Speaker 11
Dr. J. Spoor (Neurosurgeon, Erasmus UMC Rotterdam)
Talk title: Lipomeningocele
10:30-10:50 ☕ Break
Session 6: Hydrocephalus 1
10:50–11:50 Speakers to be announced soon
11:50–12:45 Poster Presentations with Lunch 🍽 – Sponsor Round
Session 7: Urology in Spina Bifida
Cultural approaches, self-catheterization adherence, and bowel management: antegrade vs. retrograde irrigation.
12:45–13:15 The Welburn Lecture
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Elderwy (Professor of Pediatric Urology, Asyut, Egypt)
Lecture title: Urology— the dilemma of spina bifida in Egypt
13:15–14:30 Keynote Speakers
13:15-13:40 Keynote Speaker 12
Mrs. T. de Kraker (Nurse practitioner, Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Therapy compliance in neurogenic bladder
13:40-14:05 Keynote Speaker 13
Dr. J.R. de Jong (Pediatric Surgeon) & Janine van Leeuwen (Nurse Practitioner) (Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Bowel irrigation via Chait trapdoor – a surgical intervention
14:05-14:30 Keynote Speaker 14
Prof. Dr. R.J.M. Nijman (Urologist)
Talk title: European guidelines for bladder management in spinal dysraphism
14:30–15:00 Abstract Presentations (3)
15:00–15:30 ☕ Break
Session 8: Rehabilitation and Orthopedics
Use of gait analysis in spina bifida, scoliosis, sports with physical disabilities, and evaluation of quality of life in spina bifida.
15:30–17:30 Keynote speakers
15:30-16:00 Keynote Speaker 15
Dr. Eveline Boeker (Rehabilitation Physician), Susan de Koning (Movement Scientist) & Eefje Muselars (Paediatric Physical Therapist) (Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Orthopaedic management in spina bifida evaluation of multilevel orthopaedic management in spina bifida
16:00-16:25 Keynote Speaker 16
Dr. A. Stadhouder (Orthopaedic surgeon)
Talk title: Scoliosis and kyphosis in spina bifida (Amsterdam UMC)
16:25-16:50 Keynote Speaker 17
Muselaers
Talk title: Sports participation
16:50-17:10 Keynote Speaker 18
Dr. H. Vreugdenhil (Psychologist) and Miss J Boekhoff (Social Worker) (Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Evaluation of QOL in children with spina bifida and family centred care
17:10-17:30 Keynote Speaker 19
Dr. M. Alsem (Rehabilitation Physician, WKZ Utrecht)
Talk title: Interprofessional care in spina bifida
17:30–18:00 Abstract Presentations (3)
18:30–21:30 Society Networking Dinner – Amsterdam UMC
Friday, 18 September
Session 9: Paediatrics
From bone fragility to breakthrough bacteriophage therapy for urinary tract infections, this session explores innovative, multidisciplinary strategies to tackle key complications in spina bifida care.
08:30–09:15 Keynote Speakers
08:30-08:50 Keynote Speaker 20
Dr. M.W. Bijlsma (Paediatrician, Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Bone fragility and osteoporosis fractures in spina bifida
08:50-09:15 Keynote Speaker 21
Speaker to be announced
Talk title: Bacteriophage therapy in urinary tract infections
09:15–09:55 Abstract Presentations (4)
09:55-10:15 ☕ Break
Session 10: Hydrocephalus 2
Scientific update in hydrocephalus: VP shunt vs. third ventriculostomy — evaluating different approaches.
10:15–12:15 Keynote Speakers
10:15-10:45 Keynote Speaker 22
Dr. S. Roosendaal (Neuroradiologist, Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Imaging of hydrocephalus
10:45-11:15 Keynote Speaker 23
Dr. K.M. Slot (Neurosurgeon, Amsterdam UMC)
Talk title: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting versus endoscopic third ventriculostomy
11:15-11:45 Keynote Speaker 24
Dr. D. Buis (Neurosurgeon)
Talk title: Hydrocephalus management in infants
11:45-12:15 Keynote Speaker 25
Dr. Monica Chau (Chief Scientific Officer, Hydrocephalus Association)
Talk title: The patient-led research priorities in hydrocephalus
12:15–13:15 Abstract Presentations (6)
13:15–13:25 Closing Remarks
Dr. R. Verbeek (Pediatric Neurologist, Amsterdam UMC)