Key Milestones

The International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) was originally founded as the International Study Group for Diabetes (ISGD) in childhood and adolescence in 1974. The founding members, including Henri Lestradet, Zvi Laron, and Helmut Jean Loeb, aimed to address the lack of attention to childhood and adolescent diabetes issues at the time.

In 1993, the ISGD transformed into a full-fledged academic society with the ISGD Declaration of Kos. This transition marked the beginning of ISPAD as we know it today. The society’s first meeting took place at the Chateau Lestradet in Paris, and it has since grown to host annual scientific meetings with over 1,000 attendees from around the world.

From its inception, ISPAD has expanded its membership beyond Europe and North America to include professionals globally. In 2008, ISPAD was formally registered as a charity in the UK, further solidifying its commitment to improving diabetes care globally.

ISPAD’s leadership has included notable figures such as Presidents Alan Drash, Teruo Kitagawa, Bruno Weber, Zvi Laron, Hans Akerblom, Martin Silink, Knut Dahl-Jorgensen, Denis Daneman, and Stu Brink. The society’s governance is supported by an Executive Board and an active Advisory Council, which includes both physician and non-physician members of the pediatric diabetes team.

ISPAD remains dedicated to optimizing diabetes care worldwide, particularly for children, adolescents, and young adults. The society continues to foster scientific interchange, develop clinical guidelines, and advocate for better diabetes care globally.

The ISPAD logo has undergone several transformations since its inception. The original logo, designed by Harry Dorchy’s father in 1973, featured the colours of the Clinitest method to detect glycosuria and the molecule of proinsulin. Over the years, the logo has evolved to reflect the society’s growth and changing focus.

Evolution of ISPAD logo