Three of the initiators behind Aarhus University Hospital - Sick Kids: Centre director Stig Yndgaard, professor Jens Chr. Djurhuus and professor Søren Rittig (photo: Kristian Bang, Aarhus University Hospital).

The people behind the Danish research network Aarhus University Hospital – Sick Kids are very ambitious concerning their research initiatives within children and adolescents, according to the first network seminar.

Recently, researchers within children and adolescents across all medical specialities have met at Aarhus University Hospital. The first seminar has been held in the new network Aarhus University Hospital – Sick Kids, aiming at gathering all children and adolescent researchers at the hospital across medical specialities.
- We want to be a lighthouse within research. The network is a forum for exchanging ideas and a source of inspiration, said Stig Yndgaard, Centre Director at the Heart Centre, Aarhus University Hospital. The Heart Centre covers the departments represented in the research network.

Stig Yndgaard said the inspiration to establish the network comes from the hospital SickKids Toronto in Canada. Andrew Redington, head of the cardiology unit at SickKids was invited to tell about the Canadian experiences.
- SickKids in Toronto is today one of the most acknowledged hospitals for children in North America – both concerning clinical and research activities, said Andrew Redington.
- The key to success is the way the network is organised in centers; this has become a strong model for others.

Strong connection between children and adults
Aarhus University Hospital does not host a hospital for children only; this will not be the case either at the new university hospital currently under construction in the outskirts of Aarhus.
- This gives us the opportunity to establish a better connection between research in children and adolescents and research in adults, says Vibeke Hjortdal professor in paediatric heart surgery and one of the instigators behind Aarhus University Hospital – Sick Kids.

The people behind the network had invited a number of researchers to tell about their projects within children and adolescent research. Participants could hear presentations on allergy in children, OCD in children, treatment of arthritis and particle therapy in children.

Facts:
The network Aarhus University Hospital – Sick Kids has a home page at the international website of Aarhus University Hospital. This page provides an overview of the activities and will be gradually expanded.
Aarhus University Hospital – Sick Kids is also represented at the research network www.researchgate.net