The CoEHAR – Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction and the University of Catania will host the Pediatric Endocrinology Symposium, entitled “Growing Together Summit”, which will take place in Catania, at the NH Centro Hotel, on 13–14 February 2026.
The meeting will focus on Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) in pediatric patients, addressing the entire clinical pathway—from diagnosis and the use of advanced imaging techniques, to the evaluation of long-term outcomes and the evolution of treatment strategies. Particular attention will be given to clinical implications beyond linear growth and to the development of personalized care pathways.
The Scientific Committee includes Professor Riccardo Polosa, Professor Manuela Caruso, Professor Olcay Evliyaoğlu, Professor Malgorzata Wasniewska, Professor Zehra Aycan, Professor Filiz Tütüncüler, and Dr. Rossella Cannarella.
The Symposium will be structured over two working days. The first day will focus on the clinical diagnosis of pediatric GHD, including IGF-1 assessment, stimulation tests, and auxological evaluation, as well as on the reproductive implications of the condition and the role of diagnostic imaging, particularly brain MRI. The session will also explore the evolution of therapeutic strategies, including comparisons between daily and weekly growth hormone regimens, with a specific emphasis on treatment individualization and therapeutic adherence.
The second day will feature a mini-workshop dedicated to improving adherence, with sessions on therapeutic education, ergonomics of injection devices, digital reminder tools, and care transition management from pediatric to adult services. This will be complemented by sessions on nutritional growth delay and by the presentation and discussion of clinical cases from regional centers.
In line with CoEHAR’s mission, the Summit adopts a Harm Reduction perspective applied to real-world clinical practice, focusing on factors that most commonly compromise outcomes in chronic pediatric care, such as missed doses, poor adherence, and challenging transitions of care. Sessions dedicated to adherence, device ergonomics, digital support tools, and the comparison between daily and weekly treatment regimens reflect a pragmatic approach aimed at reducing avoidable harm and maximizing long-term benefits for children and their families.
For further information on the scientific program and participation modalities, please contact: cr.coehar@unict.it.
