The Foundation of the Society for Neuropediatrics

The historic commission of the German Society for Child and Adolescent Medicine (DGKJ) has proposed to work up the history of the pediatric subspecialties. The Society for Neuropediatrics (GNP) was formally founded on June 4, 1975, in Heidelberg. This was preceded by many activities, for example, the edition of several monographies, the foundation of a journal, and the formation of several study groups about neuropediatric respectively child neurology topics. The first common meeting of German, Swiss, and Austrian neuropediatricians from October 30 to 31, 1972, in Kehl-Kork near Strasbourg was of great importance. A. Peiper, J. Little, W.G. Lennox, and A. Foelling were then nominated as the “Fathers of Neuropediatrics.” The foundation of a special pediatric society by members from Austria, Switzerland, and the German Federal Republic was unique and can be interpreted as a sign of reconciliation after the tragedies of the Nazi period especially with neurological ill and handicapped children and adolescents. This contribution presents preserved documents of the foundation period and will appeal to witnesses to report about that time.